EA FC 26’s Black Friday: Thunderstruck campaign began its releases on 28 November 2025, with further players scheduled later that day and on 30 November. EA did not specify an exact release hour in its announcement. The live-item upgrade conditions were tied to each club’s next five domestic league matches—not to automatic overall-rating increases.
When did EA FC 26 Thunderstruck start?
EA announced the campaign on 26 November 2025. The main Thunderstruck team and ICONs were scheduled to join Football Ultimate Team on Friday, 28 November, with additional players arriving later that day and again on 30 November. That made the player release a three-stage rollout. EA’s announcement did not give an exact clock time for the main drop.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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EA SPORTS FC 26 Standard Edition for PS5 | $39.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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FC 26 EA Sports (Standard Edition) - For PS5 (UAE Version) | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
EA SPORTS FC 25 Standard Edition PS5 | EU Version Region Free | $26.29 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
NBA 2K26 - PlayStation 5 | $15.00 | Buy on Amazon |
AllThings.How reported the main release time as 18:00 GMT (6 p.m. GMT). That is a secondary-source time, not a time stated in EA’s announcement. The guide also lists player examples and ratings, which should be treated as its reporting rather than an official EA roster confirmation.
Other Black Friday content dates
- 26 November: Best-of Team of the Week items through TOTW 10 and rated 85 or higher began returning to packs.
- 27 November: A selection of standout items from earlier FC 26 campaigns began returning to packs. The first of four planned flash Live Events also started.
- Every 48 hours: The remaining flash Live Events were scheduled to become available at 48-hour intervals.
These returning cards and TOTW items were separate content pools from Thunderstruck promo items; their return to packs does not make them Thunderstruck cards.
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- This video game is the world's leading football game; The Standard Edition contains the EA SPORTS FC 26 full game
- The Club is Yours in EA SPORTS FC 26.
- Experience Manager Career like never before with all-new Manager Live Challenges.
- Put your dream squad to the test in Football Ultimate Team with Tournaments and Live Events, as well as a refreshed Rivals and Champs experience.
How did Thunderstruck live upgrades work?
EA said tracking began on 28 November and covered the next five domestic league matches played by the item’s current club. For ICONs, the relevant team was the player’s former club. EA’s three listed performance thresholds were:
| Result across the five-match window | Thunderstruck upgrade |
|---|---|
| Two wins or draws | One Base PlayStyle |
| Three wins or draws | All Roles++ in all positions |
| Ten goals scored | One PlayStyle+ (maximum one) or a Base PlayStyle |
These are specific performance conditions for the five-match window, not a promise of a general overall-rating increase. The conditions focus on wins or draws, goals scored, roles, and PlayStyles.
Rank #2
- This video game is the world's leading football game; The Standard Edition contains the EA SPORTS FC 26 full game
- The Club is Yours in EA SPORTS FC 26.
- Experience Manager Career like never before with all-new Manager Live Challenges.
- Put your dream squad to the test in Football Ultimate Team with Tournaments and Live Events, as well as a refreshed Rivals and Champs experience.
Dynamic Thunderstruck cards versus Evolution designs
EA distinguished dynamic promo items from cards that only receive a Thunderstruck appearance through Evolutions. Its announcement states: “Items that receive the Thunderstruck design from Evolutions do not receive Live upgrades”. The exclusion concerns the cosmetic Evolution design; it does not describe the dynamic Thunderstruck promo items governed by the live conditions.
What else was included in the event?
EA announced objectives and rewards tied to flash events, daily play, and login rewards, alongside Thunderstruck SBCs and six Flash Evolutions. Each Flash Evolution was described as lasting four days, targeting one face stat, and granting +2 OVR.
Rank #3
- This video game is the world's leading football game; The Standard Edition contains the FC 25 full game
- EA SPORTS FC 25 has the best players from the biggest clubs and competitions around the globe, with match data from the world’s top leagues powering how 19,000+ players from 700+ authentic clubs move, play, and win in every match
- No matter how you choose to win in EA SPORTS FC 25, do it for the club
- EA SPORTS FC 25 gives you more ways to win for the club; Team up with friends in your favorite modes with the new 5v5 Rush, and manage your club to victory as FC IQ delivers more tactical control than ever before
- Please note that although this game is Region Free or Region Unlocked and will work on all systems, this is the international version and may differ from the local version in age rating, labeling or instructions. DLC content may not work unless using an EU Playstation account as stated this is an EU Import Region Free Version
- The six featured face stats were PAC, PAS, SHO, DEF, DRI, and PHY.
- EA also mentioned PlayStyle+ consumable Evolutions and cosmetic Evolution effects.
- Other announced content included flashbacks, 24-hour Flash SBCs featuring World Tour players, MLS-themed Showdown SBCs, and Thunderstruck ICONs.
EA’s announcement described these event features but did not provide named examples of every SBC or specific reward details for each activity.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which players were in the Thunderstruck team?
EA’s reviewed announcement did not name the individual Thunderstruck roster. AllThings.How’s secondary guide gives examples of current players including Alexia Putellas and Mohamed Salah, and ICONs including Diego Maradona and Ronaldo. Those names are examples reported by that guide, not a roster verified in the EA announcement cited here.
Rank #4
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- SQUAD UP IN THE CITY: Build a transcendent MyPLAYER and climb the competitive ranks to reach the pinnacle of NBA stardom in an all-new MyCAREER journey. Team up with friends in a stunning, streamlined City, earn recognition and increase your REP, and battle rival squads for Park supremacy.
- UNITE STARS IN MyTEAM: Collect and compete with past and present legends of the game in MyTEAM. Assemble a star-studded roster, put your dream team to the test in new single-player and multiplayer modes, and acquire new cards to make your MyTEAM fantasy a reality.
- YOUR TEAM, YOUR STORY: Lead an NBA franchise as a General Manager in MyNBA. Choose from all 30 teams, experience 30 unique MyGM storylines with real-world inspiration, and chase the ultimate goal: to win a championship. Influence the future of the sport and leave an indelible mark on the league.
The secondary guide also reports ratings and additional names, but its coverage includes variant ratings and other Black Friday item pools. Keep Thunderstruck cards distinct from returning TOTW and Best-of campaign items; a definitive complete roster requires verification against an official in-game roster or item source.
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