The most anticipated promotion of the FC 26 season is just around the corner. Team of the Year launches on January 16, 2026, at 6 PM GMT (10 AM PT), and smart preparation now can make the difference between packing a superstar or walking away empty-handed.
Why TOTY Preparation Matters
Team of the Year cards are among the rarest and most powerful items in Ultimate Team. With extremely low pack odds and roughly two dozen elite cards spread across men's and women's squads, your chances of pulling one depend heavily on volume. The more quality packs you open, the better your odds become.
Build Your Pack Stockpile
The foundation of any successful TOTY grind is a healthy collection of saved packs. Focus your efforts on competitive modes like Rivals, Champions, and Squad Battles, alongside Objectives and Season rewards.
However, be strategic about what you save. Only hold onto packs with 82+ overall guarantees — these give you the best shot at TOTY cards. Lower-rated packs should be opened immediately and funneled into upgrade SBCs like 82+ x10 or 85+ x5 to build even more valuable packs for the promo.
Stock Up on Fodder and TOTW Cards
Forget about buying packs from the store with coins or FC Points — the real value lies in repeatable Upgrade SBCs that EA releases during TOTY. These require substantial fodder to complete.
Keep grinding daily Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Crafting Upgrades to maintain a steady supply of high-rated cards. Most importantly, hold onto any Team of the Week players you pack. TOTW cards become essential requirements for TOTY upgrade SBCs, and their value skyrockets once the promo begins.
Protect Your Coin Balance
Resist the urge to spend coins on player SBCs or Evolutions before TOTY drops. Your coin reserves serve multiple purposes during the promotion:
Purchasing players directly from the market
Buying cheap fodder when your stock runs low
Completing premium Evolutions with boosted upgrades
Unless an Evolution keeps a player under 86 overall and offers exceptional value, save your resources for the main event.
Sell High Before the Crash
TOTY triggers one of the biggest market crashes of the year. With millions of packs being opened simultaneously, previously rare cards flood the market and prices plummet. The power curve also jumps significantly, making older meta cards obsolete overnight.
Sell your tradable players now while prices remain stable. You can always buy them back cheaper once the dust settles. During the promo, watch for price fluctuations — cards often dip during peak pack opening hours and recover when supply decreases.
Time Your Pack Openings Wisely
EA releases TOTY cards in phases: attackers first, followed by midfielders, then defenders, before finally making the complete squad available. While waiting for full release maximizes your pool of potential pulls, keep in mind that EA may adjust odds accordingly.
Historical data suggests defenders are slightly easier to pack than attackers. Consider opening a small batch early to test your luck, but save the majority of your stockpile for when all cards enter packs together.
Conclusion
Preparing for Team of the Year requires patience and discipline, but the payoff can be massive. Focus on building packs, stockpiling fodder, preserving coins, and timing your openings strategically.
If you want to accelerate your squad building during TOTY, visit FUTCOIN to buy FC 26 coins and give yourself the best chance at assembling your dream team this January.
