EA FC 26 Thunderstruck & Black Friday 2025: Rewards, Upgrades, Leaks

EA FC 26 Thunderstruck is shaping up to be the headline Black Friday 2025 promo in Ultimate Team, bringing dynamic upgrades, superstar cards and massive pack openings. Below you’ll find a complete, spoiler‑aware overview: dates, how upgrades work, leaked players and Icons, and how to prepare your club and budget.

• What is Thunderstruck in EA FC 26?
• Thunderstruck Black Friday 2025: Dates, start time & phases
• Which players and Icons can get Thunderstruck cards?
• All leaked Thunderstruck players and Icons (unconfirmed)
• How many Thunderstruck cards to expect in FC 26
• How to get Thunderstruck cards: packs, SBCs, Objectives & market
• How Thunderstruck upgrades work in Ultimate Team
• Building a squad for Thunderstruck: coins, budget & ItemD2R tips
• Quick FAQ: Thunderstruck & Black Friday in EA FC 26

What is Thunderstruck in EA FC 26?

Thunderstruck is EA FC 26’s flagship Black Friday promo, a dynamic-event campaign where selected players and Icons receive powerful special items that can earn additional upgrades based on real‑world league performances. The promo has its roots in FIFA 22 and has quickly become one of the most anticipated events of the entire Ultimate Team cycle.

Across several team drops and SBC releases, Thunderstruck focuses on:

• Highly popular, meta‑relevant stars from top leagues.
• Women’s football standouts alongside men’s players.
• Legendary Icons with massive stat boosts.
• A performance‑based upgrade tracker tied to the next five league games of each club.

For players who love trading, grinding packs or simply building the strongest possible squad, Thunderstruck is the point in the year where Ultimate Team really explodes with content.

Thunderstruck Black Friday 2025: Dates, start time & phases

EA uses Thunderstruck as the centerpiece of its Black Friday 2025 campaign in EA Sports FC 26 Ultimate Team. Based on current information, here’s how the schedule looks.

Thunderstruck launch schedule

The promo is split into several releases to keep the market active and packs exciting throughout the week:

• Friday, 28 November 2025 – 15:00: Thunderstruck Team 1 goes live.
• Friday, 28 November 2025 – 19:00: Thunderstruck Team 2 is released.
• Sunday, 30 November 2025 – 19:00: Thunderstruck Team 3, the final big squad, joins packs.

This early afternoon kickoff (15:00) for Team 1 is especially important if you like sniping cards on release or preparing investments, as many players expect the usual evening content drop and may be caught off‑guard.

How long are Thunderstruck cards in packs?

Thunderstruck cards are only available in packs during a limited Black Friday window:

• 28 November – 5 December 2025: Team 1 & Team 2 in packs.
• 30 November – 5 December 2025: Team 3 in packs.

The Black Friday promo week ends on 5 December 2025, and with it, Thunderstruck packs are removed. However, the event itself is not truly over at that point, because the upgrade race continues in the background until every club has completed its five designated league matches.

Depending on the country and fixture congestion, this could stretch into late December 2025 or even mid‑January 2026. During this period, you can still trade Thunderstruck cards on the market and watch their prices react to real‑world results.

Which players and Icons can get Thunderstruck cards?

Unlike some promos that focus on specific themes (U‑23, nationalities, league hybrids, etc.), Thunderstruck has very open selection criteria. In theory, any active player or any Icon present in the EA FC 26 database could receive a card.

In practice, EA typically chooses:

• Big names that sell packs: top‑tier attackers, meta midfielders and elite defenders.
• Fan favourites and cult heroes with unique playstyles.
• Women’s football stars who have become core parts of Ultimate Team.
• High‑profile Icons that instantly change the power level of squads.

The goal is clear: make the Black Friday window as profitable and exciting as possible, with cards that drive engagement, pack openings and intense trading.

All leaked Thunderstruck players and Icons (unconfirmed)

Reliable community leakers and data miners — names like FutSheriff, FTR, Fut Scoreboard, AsyFutTrader, FutPoliceLeaks and others — have already shared potential Thunderstruck players and Icons. Remember that these leaks are not officially confirmed by EA and may still change.

Leaked Thunderstruck players (men & women)

Here are some of the names currently circulating in the community as potential Thunderstruck items:

• Adrien Thomasson
• Alessia Russo
• Alexia Putellas
• Amaiur Sarriegi
• Andrea Medina
• Athenea
• Baris Alper Yilmaz
• Christiane Endler
• Christopher Nkunku
• Denis Zakaria
• Diogo Dalot
• Dusan Vlahovic
• Fisnik Asllani
• Georgia Stanway
• Giada Greggi
• Grace Geyoro
• Hakan Çalhanoglu
• Hayley Raso
• Ivan Perisic
• Jade Rose
• Jamal Musiala
• Jan Oblak
• Juan Jesus
• Jude Bellingham
• Julian Brandt
• Jurrien Timber
• Marco Asensio
• Mattia Zaccagni
• Melchie Dumornay
• N’Golo Kanté
• Nick Woltemade
• Nicolas Tagliafico
• Olga Carmona
• Pedro Neto
• Pierre‑Emerick Aubameyang
• Raphinha
• Riyad Mahrez
• Rodri
• Ryan Gravenberch
• Sam Kerr
• Selina Cerci
• Tarek Buchmann
• Theo Hernández
• Willian Pacho
• Wout Weghorst

This list alone illustrates why Thunderstruck is so hyped: from Jude Bellingham, Rodri and Jamal Musiala to superstars like Alexia Putellas and Sam Kerr, the potential for overpowered midfield cores and hybrid squads is enormous.

Leaked Thunderstruck Icons

Icons are often the real show‑stoppers of Black Friday. According to early information, the following legends could receive Thunderstruck items (again: leaks, not confirmed):

• Bastian Schweinsteiger
• Birgit Prinz
• Camille Abily
• David Beckham
• Dennis Bergkamp
• Eusébio
• Fernando Torres
• Franck Ribéry
• Franz Beckenbauer
• Gareth Bale
• Lotta Schelin
• Maradona
• Paolo Maldini
• Rivaldo
• Roberto Carlos
• Ronald Koeman
• Xavi

If even half of these names make it into the final promo, Thunderstruck will dramatically reshape the power curve of FC 26. Expect massive price swings on defenders, full‑backs and elite attackers as soon as the squads hit packs.

How many Thunderstruck cards to expect in FC 26

Thunderstruck is still a relatively young promo, but it has grown a bit each year. Exact numbers for FC 26 are not confirmed, yet historical patterns give us a realistic estimate.

You can reasonably expect around:

• 60+ Thunderstruck items in total, spread across three main team releases.
• Additional Thunderstruck cards via SBCs and Objectives throughout the week.
• A mix of top‑tier cards and more affordable options to keep the player base engaged.

The three‑team structure ensures that every few days there’s something new to chase in packs, which also means that keeping track of pack windows becomes crucial if you’re saving rewards or planning to open FIFA Points / FC Points at a specific time.

How to get Thunderstruck cards: packs, SBCs, Objectives & market

There are four primary ways to acquire Thunderstruck cards in EA Sports FC 26 Ultimate Team. Each has different risk levels and coin requirements.

1. Packs (store, rewards, and promos)

Most Thunderstruck cards will be packed from:

• Promo packs in the store (using coins or FC Points).
• Squad Battles, Rivals and Champions rewards.
• Objective packs and Season Progress rewards.
• SBC reward packs (especially during Black Friday lightning rounds and upgrade SBCs).

During the active promo window, Thunderstruck items temporarily replace the regular base versions of the same players in applicable packs. Any pack that can contain standard player cards can also include Thunderstruck versions while the promo is live, but there are no guaranteed Thunderstruck packs unless EA explicitly releases one.

Packs with a higher number of gold players (e.g. 50k and 100k packs, special upgrade packs) naturally offer better chances due to volume, but remember that probabilities are still low and vary by pack type. You can always check the pack odds exposed in the in‑game store and compare them with trustworthy community resources such as the official EA help site or databases like FUTBIN.

2. SBCs (Squad Building Challenges)

Black Friday is traditionally full of:

• Themed SBCs that give you tradeable or untradeable packs.
• Player SBCs awarding a specific Thunderstruck player.
• Upgrade SBCs (e.g. repeatable 80+ or 83+ player picks) that can contain Thunderstruck items.

If you’ve been grinding club depth all season, this is the perfect time to liquidate unneeded fodder. SBC‑exclusive Thunderstruck cards are often rated slightly below the top meta cards but can still be extremely strong for RTG players or for filling specific chemistry gaps.

3. Objectives & Milestones

To keep non‑spending players engaged, EA usually releases:

• Time‑limited Objectives that reward packs or specific Thunderstruck players.
• Live Friendly modes with mini‑objectives tied to the promo.
• Occasional Milestone objectives if the event is long enough.

Black Friday is a good moment to grind gameplay if you’re short on coins but rich in time. Pair your Objective grind with Division Rivals or Squad Battles for maximum value.

4. Transfer market purchases

Finally, you can always buy Thunderstruck cards directly from the transfer market with in‑game coins. Since most promo cards are tradeable, their prices will fluctuate heavily based on:

• Pack supply (especially during lightning rounds).
• Performance‑based upgrade potential.
• Weekend League usage and meta trends.

Premium players like Bellingham or Maldini can cost a small fortune at launch. If you’re planning to go all‑in on a Thunderstruck squad, having a strong coin base is essential.

How Thunderstruck upgrades work in Ultimate Team

Thunderstruck is not just about one‑time boosted cards. The promo’s identity revolves around dynamic upgrades linked to real‑world league matches.

General upgrade concept

Each Thunderstruck item corresponds to a player whose club has a sequence of five domestic league fixtures designated for the promo. When those matches are played in real life, the player’s Thunderstruck card can receive permanent stat upgrades if certain conditions are met.

While EA has not fully detailed every modifier for FC 26 at the time of writing, historically similar promos have used rules such as:

• Upgrades for individual wins or unbeaten streaks across those five games.
• Additional boosts if the team records clean sheets or high‑goal wins.
• Sometimes differentiated boosts for attackers, midfielders, defenders and keepers.

The result is a promo where you’re not just betting on current stats, but also on form, fixtures and club strength. Top teams with favourable schedules often send their Thunderstruck cards through the roof if they start the run with multiple victories.

Tracking upgrades & market impact

To follow upgrade progress, you can:

• Use in‑game menus and news tiles for official confirmation.
• Track live results via sports sites like ESPN’s scoreboard or BBC Sport fixtures.
• Check community trackers and spreadsheets updated by content creators.

Prices can spike or crash immediately after a final whistle, particularly when a game decides whether a Thunderstruck card receives its last possible upgrade. Savvy traders try to anticipate results and fixture difficulty, buying early and selling into hype before upgrades are officially applied.

Building a Thunderstruck squad: coins, budget & ItemD2R tips

Black Friday week is one of the most volatile periods on the Ultimate Team market. Whether you want to chase your dream Thunderstruck player or simply profit from market swings, managing your coin balance is key.

Plan your budget before the promo starts

Before 28 November 2025, decide:

• How many coins you’re comfortable risking on packs.
• How much you want to keep for market sniping and investments.
• Which positions you absolutely want to upgrade (e.g. CB, ST, CM).

Many players panic sell squads in the lead‑up to Black Friday expecting a huge market crash, then buy back too late. Instead of reacting emotionally, set clear price points for cards you want and track historic prices using databases such as FUTBIN or FUTWIZ.

Using EA FC 26 coins efficiently

If you decide to expand your club’s budget by acquiring additional in‑game coins, make sure you understand the risks and always follow EA’s terms of service. Many players search for phrases like fc26 buy coins or Buying Coins FIFA when they’re planning their Thunderstruck shopping spree. Sites like ItemD2R.com focus on digital game services and keep a close eye on market trends, so experienced users often watch their price movements and timing strategies to better understand when the in‑game market is likely to dip or spike during the promo.

Regardless of your approach, the general principles remain the same:

• Don’t tie up all your coins in a single Thunderstruck card that might fail to upgrade.
• Spread investments across multiple players or cheaper cards to reduce risk.
• Keep a liquid coin cushion so you can react quickly to SBC requirements and new content drops.

Smart squad‑building during Thunderstruck

When building or upgrading your team during the event:

• Look for chemistry links between Thunderstruck players and Icons from the same league or nation.
• Consider future upgrades: a card that looks slightly weaker now might become top‑tier after two or three wins.
• Beware of overpaying on day one; early hype is often the most expensive moment.

A balanced approach is to secure one or two key Thunderstruck anchors (for example a centre‑back and a striker) and then fill the rest of your lineup with cheaper meta options that are not part of the promo and may be temporarily undervalued.

Quick FAQ: Thunderstruck & Black Friday in EA FC 26

Is Thunderstruck the main Black Friday event in EA FC 26?

Yes. While there may be supporting mini‑promos or flash SBCs, Thunderstruck is expected to be the central Black Friday campaign in Ultimate Team for 2025, with multiple teams, Icons and upgrade mechanics.

Do Thunderstruck cards disappear after the event?

No. Once you pack or buy a Thunderstruck card, it stays in your club permanently, just like any other special item. The only time limitation applies to when the cards are available in packs and to the upgrade window tied to real‑world matches.

Are Thunderstruck items tradeable?

Most Thunderstruck cards pulled from regular packs are tradeable unless stated otherwise. SBC‑ and Objective‑based rewards are often untradeable, but EA sometimes mixes both to keep things interesting.

When should I open my saved packs?

If you’re saving packs from Weekend League, Rivals or Objectives, you generally want to open them after the Thunderstruck teams you care about are live in packs. For example, if you’re targeting Icons rumored for Team 3, you might wait until after 30 November 2025 at 19:00 before ripping your best packs.

Is it worth investing in leaked Thunderstruck players?

Investing based solely on leaks is always risky. Even trusted sources can be wrong or EA may change stats and rarity at the last moment. If you decide to speculate, do so with limited coins and always be prepared for the possibility that a player won’t receive the promo card you expect.

Thunderstruck 2025 in EA FC 26 is set to combine intense real‑world drama with some of the biggest cards we’ll see all year. Whether you’re grinding Objectives, sniping on the market, or carefully planning your Ultimate Team budget around Black Friday, understanding how the event works puts you in the best position to get ahead of the competition.