After the conclusion of the Winter Wildcards event on January 2, 2026, EA SPORTS FC 26 kicks off its next big Ultimate Team promotion: Time Warp — a special event designed to take players back in time and celebrate some of football’s most memorable stars and moments.
Time Warp is a limited-time promo that runs for roughly two weeks, featuring special player cards, fresh challenges, and new Squad Building Challenges (SBCs). Here’s a full breakdown of what to expect and how to make the most out of it.
When Does Time Warp Start and End?
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Start Date: January 2, 2026, immediately after the Winter Wildcards event ends.
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End Date: Around January 16, 2026.
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New event content is typically released each Friday at 6 PM GMT / 10 AM PT.
During this period, Time Warp becomes the main event in EA FC 26 Ultimate Team, paving the way toward the highly anticipated Team of the Year (TOTY) event that usually follows.
What Is Time Warp?
Time Warp is a flashback-style promotion that brings back legendary players and special versions of stars from different eras of football. Rather than focusing on current season performances like many other promos, Time Warp celebrates carrying players back to peak moments in their careers.
This means:
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Players are released with stat boosts reflecting their best seasons.
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Many items are inspired by historical standout performances or “what-if” versions of players at different career points.
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These special cards are often higher rated and provide a nostalgic thrill for fans and FUT competitive players alike.
How Time Warp Works: Teams & Releases
Instead of one big release, Time Warp is structured in phases:
Time Warp Team 1
Released on Day 1 (January 2), includes a large group of veterans and legends. The leaked list of Team 1 includes players like:
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Lionel Messi – celebration version reflecting earlier peak eras
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Andrea Pirlo
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Carles Puyol
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Luis Suárez
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Marc-André ter Stegen
…and many others across active and historic football.
Time Warp Team 2
Released a week later on January 9, with more legendary players such as:
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Cristiano Ronaldo
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Philipp Lahm
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Thomas Müller
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Casemiro
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Pavel Nedvěd
…and others spread across leagues and generations.
SBC & Objective Players
In addition to the two main teams, other Time Warp players are integrated via special SBCs and objectives — unlocking untradeable versions of popular historical stars.
Why Time Warp Matters in FUT
Boosted Stats & Full Chemistry
Leaked information suggests that Time Warp items will come with full chemistry points, meaning they slot seamlessly into squads without disrupting overall chemistry. These boosted values often make them strong choices for competitive play or squad building.
Use in SBC Strategy
Time Warp players can be invaluable in completing SBCs, especially those tied to Team of the Year challenges and other future promotions. Players are encouraged to plan how they spend their FUT Coins and packs to be ready for upcoming high-impact card releases.
How to Get Time Warp Cards
There are several ways to unlock Time Warp items during the promo:
Packs
All packs containing players have the chance to include Time Warp items once the promo is live. Higher-tier packs generally offer better odds or higher-rated cards.
SBCs
Specific Squad Building Challenges tied to the event unlock unique Time Warp cards or pack rewards. These often require assembling teams of certain leagues, nations, or player types.
Objectives
Completing event objectives, such as scoring goals or playing matches in special Time Warp exhibitions, can unlock rewards including packs and special players.
Tips for FUT Players
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Plan Your Coins: With the Team of the Year promo shortly after Time Warp, many players choose to save packs and FUT Coins for that next event.
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Complete SBCs Early: Many SBCs offer great returns early in the promo before certain items rotate out of availability.
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Check Objectives Often: New objectives can drop throughout the two weeks, providing fresh incentives to log in daily.
Final Thoughts
Time Warp promotion brings a nostalgic flair to EA FC 26 Ultimate Team, blending legendary performances with fun gameplay incentives. Whether you’re chasing iconic players like Messi or Ronaldo, completing challenges, or gearing up for future promos, Time Warp offers two weeks of strategic excitement and rewards for FUT fans at all levels.