Holiday Player Surge Drives Increased Activity Across All EA FC 26 Modes New and returning players are fueling higher engagement, faster matchmaking, and more diverse competition throughout the holiday season

The holiday season has sparked a noticeable surge in player activity across EA FC 26, with both new users and returning players jumping back into the game. Gifted copies, time off from school or work, and seasonal content have combined to create one of the most active periods of the year across nearly every mode.

This influx has brought fresh energy to the community while reshaping how players experience online and offline gameplay.

⚽ Ultimate Team Sees the Biggest Boost

Ultimate Team has been the primary beneficiary of the holiday surge, with activity climbing across all regions.

Matchmaking queues are noticeably faster due to a larger player pool
New players are progressing through starter objectives and early challenges
Veteran players are experimenting with squads and testing depth against varied competition

Seasonal promos and objectives have also helped onboard new users quickly, making Ultimate Team more accessible during a high-traffic period.

🎮 Growth Across Other Game Modes

While Ultimate Team leads in engagement, other EA FC 26 modes have also seen meaningful increases in activity.

Career Mode players are starting long-term saves during extended breaks
Online Friendlies and co-op matches are more active as friends play together
Casual modes are benefiting from players looking for low-pressure matches

This broader engagement helps reinforce EA FC 26 as more than just a single-mode experience.

🔄 More Variety in Matchmaking

One of the most noticeable effects of the holiday surge is increased diversity in matchmaking.

Wider skill gaps create unpredictable match outcomes
Experienced players face unfamiliar playstyles
New players gain exposure to higher-level competition

While this can be challenging at times, it also creates valuable learning opportunities for players at all skill levels.

📈 The Challenge of Sustaining Momentum

Historically, player engagement tends to decline once the holiday window closes. Retaining new and returning users beyond January often depends on continued content support.

Meaningful updates help maintain interest
Engaging objectives encourage consistent logins
A strong content roadmap keeps players invested long-term

EA FC 26’s post-holiday plans will be critical in determining how much of this audience remains active.

🏁 Final Thoughts

The holiday player surge has brought renewed energy to EA FC 26, increasing activity, improving matchmaking, and strengthening community engagement across all modes. Whether players are diving into Ultimate Team, building Career Mode saves, or playing casually with friends, the game has thrived during this peak period. How well EA maintains this momentum will shape the experience moving forward.