EA FC 27 Early Access release time: When to play the game first and the Ultimate Edition explained

FOOTBALL fans, dust off your controllers and get your tactics boards ready, because the most anticipated gaming fixture of the year is almost here. EA Sports FC 27 is preparing to take the digital pitch, and millions of virtual gaffers are gearing up to dive into the action. Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe is the cover star for EA Sports FC 27 Credit: EA Millions of virtual gaffers are gearing up to dive into the action Credit: Getty This year’s edition comes with brand new gameplay mechanics, refreshed player ratings for Premier League stars, and tactical revamps. It also introduces The Grounds, a social multiplayer hub that brings up to 100 players together in a shared football playground. Sign up for the Tech newsletter Thank you! For players who can’t wait for the worldwide release, you don’t have to wait until the official kickoff. EA Sports is once again giving diehard fans the chance to step out onto the pitch up to a full seven days early. Here’s your guide on how to get playing EA FC 27 before anyone else in the UK. How to get EA FC 27 Early Access Fans have three main routes to get onto the pitch early: Pre-order the Ultimate Edition: Buying this digital edition grants full, unlimited gameplay seven days early. EA Play Subscription: An active EA Play membership (also included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate) grants a 10-hour trial of the full game. All match progress and squad builds carry over to the final release. EA Play Pro (PC Only): PC players with an EA Play Pro membership automatically receive full access to the Ultimate Edition. When does EA FC 27 Early Access start? In the UK, early access for EA FC 27 officially unlocks at 12am BST (midnight) on Friday, September 18 for console and PC players who pre-order the Ultimate Edition. Most read in Gaming Players accessing the game through the EA Play 10-hour trial will see their access open a few hours later at 5am BST on Friday, September 18. Ultimate Team traders already got a head start earlier in the week, with the Web App launching on September 16 and the Companion App going live on September 17. What else does the Ultimate Edition get you? EA Sports offers two primary packages for EA FC 27 across PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC. Priced at £99.99 in the UK, the Ultimate Edition is built specifically for players looking for a competitive head start in Ultimate Team. Beyond gaining seven days of early pitch time, buyers receive: 7-Day Early Access: Unrestricted play across all game modes from midnight on September 18. 4,600 FC Points: In-game currency used to open packs, enter Ultimate Team Drafts, or buy into the Season Pass. Exclusive Ultimate Team Boosts: Includes early-bird campaign player items, Team of the Week (TOTW) player choices, and exclusive Evolution slots to upgrade your squad immediately. Dual Entitlement: Allows free digital upgrades across console generations (such as PS4 to PS5 or Xbox One to Xbox Series X|S). FeatureStandard EditionUltimate EditionUK Price£69.99£99.99Release DateFriday, September 25Friday, September 18Early Access PeriodNone7 Days Full AccessIn-Game CurrencyNone4,600 FC PointsUltimate Team ExtrasStandard pre-order loan itemsSpecial Campaign items, TOTW picks, Evolution slotsDual EntitlementIncludedIncluded When is the full release date for EA FC 27? For players opting for the Standard Edition (£69.99), the full worldwide release date is Friday, September 25. From this point, the game opens up to everyone across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Comment now