FC 26 Summer Stars Guide: Players, SBCs & Rewards
FC 26 Coins on Topuplist
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FC 26 Summer Stars is the final Festival of Football campaign, celebrating the best players and performances from the summer tournament.
The promo entered Ultimate Team on July 17 and is scheduled to remain in packs until July 24, 2026. Alongside the main squad, EA has confirmed a Winner Release, player SBCs, Greats of the Game SBCs, a final-themed Showdown, eight Evolutions, Token Store players and competitive Live Event rewards.
For most players, the best order is:
Complete The Greatest Show objective.
Win three Ultimate Festival Event matches.
Qualify for the Ultimate Festival Tournament.
Claim the 95+ Summer Stars guarantee pack.
Review the Token Store before spending Tokens.
Complete only SBCs that improve your starting XI.
Assign the free Evolutions before their entry deadlines.
Claim the Festival of Football Pelé login reward.
Avoid buying headline cards before pack supply stabilizes.
Preserve some fodder and Coins for FUTTIES.
FC 26 Summer Stars Overview
EA’s official Summer Stars announcement confirms the five player SBCs, two Greats of the Game SBCs, final Showdown, three Token Store players and eight Evolutions.
FC 26 Summer Stars Release Date and End Time
Summer Stars runs from July 17 to July 24, 2026 as the fifth and final Festival of Football campaign. The earlier campaigns were Path to Glory, Greats of the Game, Glory Hunters and Phenoms.
The main cards are expected to leave packs on July 24, but individual content may use different deadlines:
Player SBCs may remain available beyond the pack period.
Evolutions have separate entry and completion deadlines.
Objectives can expire before or after the main squad.
Token Stores may close independently.
Winner Release content may have its own availability window.
Always use the in-game countdown as the final deadline.
Best FC 26 Summer Stars Players
The strongest Summer Stars cards combine elite attributes with useful positions, strong Roles, responsive body types and high-end PlayStyles. Overall rating alone is not enough.
Current database listings confirm 98-rated Summer Stars versions of Mbappé, Messi, Vini Jr., Dembélé and Kane, along with 97-rated Bruno Guimarães and Michael Olise.
Kylian Mbappé: Best Overall Summer Stars Player
Summer Stars Mbappé is a 98-rated striker with:
99 Pace
98 Shooting
99 Dribbling
ST, LM and LW availability
His acceleration, unique movement and ability to play centrally or from the left make him the safest elite attacker for competitive squads.
The main drawback is price. Players who already own a high-rated Mbappé should compare the real upgrade before committing several million Coins.
Vini Jr.: Best Summer Stars Winger
Vini Jr. has 99 Pace, 98 Shooting and 98 Dribbling, with LW, LM and ST availability. He is particularly valuable for players who create chances through explosive dribbling and wide isolation.
Choose Vini over Mbappé when:
You need a natural left winger.
You dribble more than you play direct through balls.
You want a smaller, more agile attacker.
Your striker position is already filled.
Ousmane Dembélé: Best Flexible Attacker
Dembélé’s 98-rated Summer Stars item is listed primarily at RW. His value comes from his flexibility as a wide forward, central attacker or creator.
He is a strong option for players who frequently change formations in-game and need one attacker capable of covering multiple roles.
Lionel Messi: Best Creator and False 9
Messi’s 98-rated card has:
98 Pace
97 Shooting
97 Passing
98 Dribbling
ST and RM availability
He is best used as a central creator, False 9 or attacking midfielder rather than as a physical target striker.
His passing and close control are elite, but larger defenders may still challenge him physically.
Harry Kane: Best Physical Finisher
Kane’s 98-rated Summer Stars card is the strongest option for players who want:
Central finishing
Hold-up play
Aerial presence
Physical protection of the ball
A traditional penalty-box striker
His card is less suited to players who need constant explosive dribbling or wide movement.
Bruno Guimarães: Best All-Round Midfielder
Bruno Guimarães is a 97-rated CM and one of the most useful non-attacking cards in the squad. He is suitable for:
Box-to-box CM
Deep playmaker
Secondary defensive midfielder
Possession-based midfield
His value depends on whether his Roles and PlayStyles match your formation, but he provides better squad balance than adding another elite attacker.
Best Budget Players to Monitor
Lower-cost options worth checking on the live market include:
Brahim
Yoane Wissa
Leandro Trossard
Roberto Alvarado
Daniel Muñoz
Brahim appears as a flexible 96-rated attacking midfielder or wide player, while Wissa and Trossard provide affordable attacking alternatives. Prices remain highly volatile during the promo.
How to Evaluate a Summer Stars Card
Do not rank cards using OVR alone. Check:
Acceleration and Sprint Speed separately
Skill Moves and Weak Foot
Body type and unique animations
PlayStyles and PlayStyles+
Primary and secondary positions
Player Roles
Reactions and Composure
Stamina
Defensive awareness for midfielders
Chemistry links
Difference from the player’s previous special card
A 96-rated card with better animations and PlayStyles may outperform a slower or less responsive 98-rated item.
Summer Stars Winner Release
EA has confirmed a separate Winner Release celebrating the newly crowned champions. The original announcement does not publish the complete Winner Release player list, so the in-game squad should be treated as the definitive source.
As of July 21, a 98-rated Ferran Torres Festival of Football Final Star Performer SBC is live. This is related to the final but is listed separately from the main Summer Stars rarity.
Before buying expensive Spanish Summer Stars cards, check whether Winner Release supply creates a cheaper or stronger alternative in the same position.
FC 26 Summer Stars SBC Guide
EA has promised five Summer Stars player SBCs throughout the campaign. As of July 21, three Summer Stars player SBCs are visible in the live tracker, alongside a Greats of the Game Zidane and the Ferran Torres Final Star Performer SBC.
The tracker lists Olise with ten squads, Enzo Fernández with five and Cucurella with one, which provides a useful indication of their relative cost without relying on rapidly changing market estimates.
Michael Olise SBC
Olise is the most ambitious live Summer Stars SBC.
Complete him when:
He enters your starting XI.
You need a CAM or right-sided creator.
You have substantial duplicate fodder.
His positions and links fit your team.
You plan to use him beyond the Summer Stars week.
Skip him when:
You already own several elite untradeable attackers.
Completing ten squads would empty your club.
You are saving fodder for FUTTIES.
His Roles do not match your formation.
Enzo Fernández SBC
Enzo is more suitable for players needing midfield control than another attacker.
He is worth considering when:
You use a Premier League or Argentina-heavy squad.
You need passing and ball progression.
Your current midfield lacks balance.
Most of the cost can be covered with duplicates.
He is less valuable if you already own elite Festival of Football midfielders.
Marc Cucurella SBC
Cucurella requires only one squad in the current tracker, making him the easiest player SBC to complete.
He is a practical choice for:
New squads
Spain chemistry
Premier League links
An inexpensive 96-rated left-back
High-rated fodder later if he does not perform well
How to Decide Whether an SBC Is Worth It
Use this checklist:
Does the player immediately start?
Is there a cheaper tradeable alternative?
Does the card provide useful chemistry?
Are its positions and Roles compatible with your tactics?
Can duplicates cover much of the cost?
Will the player still be usable after FUTTIES begins?
Would the same fodder be more valuable in a future ICON or player pick?
An untradeable SBC should not be valued at the full market price of a tradeable card.
Greats of the Game and Final SBCs
EA confirmed two Greats of the Game SBCs during Summer Stars week. The current tracker includes a 97-rated Zinédine Zidane ICON SBC requiring 14 squads.
Zidane offers:
ICON chemistry
High-end midfield presence
Long-term collector value
A major fodder sink
He is not a sensible completion for most new or low-fodder clubs immediately before FUTTIES.
EA also confirmed one final-themed Showdown SBC. Before completing either side, check:
Match date and kickoff time
Upgrade rules
Base-card quality
Potential positions after an upgrade
Cost of both players
Likelihood that either card enters your team
A Showdown card should still be usable without receiving the winning upgrade.
The Greatest Show Objective Guide
The Greatest Show is one of the highest-value Summer Stars objectives.
Completing the full group awards:
Summer Stars Mikel Oyarzabal
50 FUTTIES Tokens
500 Season Points
Individual challenges also provide packs, Tokens, players and PlayStyle Evolutions.
The Greatest Show Requirements
The objective includes:
Play 10 matches
Win five with a Belgian player in the starting XI
Keep five clean sheets with a Cabo Verde player
Assist six through balls with a Spanish player
Score four headers with an English player
Assist five crosses with a Moroccan player
Score five Low Driven goals with a Norwegian player
Score five Finesse goals with an Argentine player
Score five goals from outside the box with a French player
The tasks can be completed in any Ultimate Team mode, according to the live objective tracker.
Fastest Completion Method
Build one starting XI containing at least one player from every required nation:
Belgium
Cabo Verde
Spain
England
Morocco
Norway
Argentina
France
Use Squad Battles on an accessible difficulty for most scoring tasks.
Recommended setup:
Tall English striker for headers
Spanish midfielder for through balls
Moroccan winger for crosses
Norwegian striker for Low Driven shots
Argentine attacker for Finesse goals
French midfielder with strong Long Shots
Reliable goalkeeper and defensive line for clean sheets
Several requirements can progress in the same match.
Ultimate Festival Event and Tournament
The Ultimate Festival Event awards Packs, Evolution Consumables and Tokens. Winning three matches qualifies you for the Ultimate Festival Tournament. EA confirms that the Tournament includes a special 95+ x1 Summer Stars Campaign Guarantee Pack.
The current objective tracker additionally lists:
120 Tokens from the Ultimate Festival Event
50 Tokens from the Tournament
A Tournament Bonus containing the 95+ Summer Stars Player Pack and an Evolution reward
These live rewards are untradeable.
Is the Tournament Worth Playing?
Yes, especially when:
You can qualify with three wins.
Your team is competitive enough to earn the bonus.
You want a guaranteed Summer Stars item.
You need Tokens or Evolution rewards.
Treat it as a lower priority when:
The Greatest Show remains incomplete.
Your connection is unstable.
Your squad cannot meet the entry requirements.
Repeated attempts are taking time away from guaranteed rewards.
Secure objective rewards before repeatedly chasing the hardest competitive milestone.
FC 26 Summer Stars Evolutions
EA has confirmed eight Summer Stars Evolutions:
Five in the Evolution Store
Three in the Token Store
The best choice depends on the final card, not simply the original player’s rating.
Summer Spark Evolution
Summer Spark is currently free and accepts cards up to 93 OVR, with a maximum of ten regular PlayStyles and three PlayStyles+. It requires three matches and provides passing, dribbling and composure upgrades.
It is best suited to:
CAMs
Creative CMs
Wide playmakers
Technically strong cards lacking elite passing
Untradeable club favourites
Avoid using it on a player already close to the upgrade caps.
Summer Stars Rarity Evolution
The Evolution named Summer Stars costs 35,000 Coins or 200 FC Points and changes an eligible card into the Summer Stars rarity, which provides five nation chemistry links. It does not provide a statistical upgrade or require matches.
This Evolution is valuable only when the chemistry benefit solves a real squad-building problem.
Use it when:
A player is difficult to link.
The card already has endgame attributes.
Five nation links allow major squad changes.
The player will remain in your team.
Do not pay 35,000 Coins merely for the card design.
How to Select the Best Evolution Player
Before committing:
Preview the completed card.
Check attribute caps.
Review positions and Roles.
Confirm the PlayStyles gained.
Test the card in a concept squad.
Compare it with current market alternatives.
Check whether the player remains eligible for another Evo.
Review the entry deadline separately from the completion deadline.
FC 26 now supports Evolution resets. An originally tradeable player returns to tradeable status after a complete reset, but the time spent completing the Evolution is still lost.
Tokens and Token Store Rewards
The Festival of Football introduced gameplay-earned Tokens across:
Rivals
Squad Battles
Rush
Live Events
Selected Objectives
Selected SBCs
EA initially set a Festival limit of 1,000 Tokens per week and 5,000 throughout the event. Tokens are not sold in Store Packs.
Summer Stars content now awards and references FUTTIES Tokens, including three Summer Stars Player Items in the Token Store. Check the exact Token type before redeeming because each event-specific Store accepts only its corresponding currency and may close independently.
Player, Evolution or Pack?
Choose a Player Item when:
The player immediately starts.
It fills a weak position.
Its chemistry is valuable.
A market alternative is expensive.
The reward is deterministic and useful.
Choose an Evolution when:
You already own the ideal candidate.
The completed card enters your team.
It adds a crucial position, Role or PlayStyle.
You enjoy building unique club players.
Choose a Pack when:
None of the guaranteed players improve your team.
You need fodder for SBCs.
Your key Evolutions are already claimed.
You accept the risk of a poor random return.
EA designed the Store so that players cannot redeem every reward. Choose an end target before spending Tokens on smaller packs.
Free Pelé Reward Before July 24
Players who log in to Ultimate Team between June 5 and July 24 receive a 93-rated Festival of Football ICON Pelé and can select one of three initial Evolution paths:
ST with Low Driven+
CM with Incisive Pass+
LW/RW with Finesse Shot+
Completing the full Pelé Evolution sequence can produce a 96-rated item with five-star Skill Moves, five-star Weak Foot and four PlayStyles+.
Claim Pelé before the Festival of Football window ends, even if he does not immediately enter your main team.
FUTTIES Daily Play
FUTTIES Daily Play and Daily Play Completionist arrived with Summer Stars, beginning the transition into the next major promo.
Your daily routine should be:
Complete required Daily Play matches.
Claim the individual reward.
Check Completionist progress.
Complete Token objectives.
Review expiring SBCs.
Use duplicate untradeable fodder.
Claim Evolution progress.
Check market prices before buying.
Daily objectives provide more reliable value than opening random Store Packs.
Should You Open Saved Packs or Wait for FUTTIES?
Open packs during Summer Stars when:
You specifically want current Summer Stars cards.
You need fodder for an active SBC.
You want to complete Olise, Enzo or Zidane.
Your club has little duplicate storage.
The current squad contains several genuine upgrades.
Save packs for FUTTIES when:
None of the Summer Stars cards are realistic targets.
Your squad is already competitive.
You expect a broader re-release pool.
You do not urgently need fodder.
You prefer a higher volume of special-card pulls.
There is no guaranteed best choice. Summer Stars offers a smaller, more focused pool; FUTTIES may offer greater variety but more duplicate outcomes.
Summer Stars Market Strategy
The following is an editorial market strategy rather than a guaranteed price forecast.
When to Buy
Consider buying after:
Initial launch demand falls.
Weekend pack supply enters the market.
New SBCs encourage more pack opening.
Winner Release details become clear.
A card falls to a price you are comfortable losing.
Do not purchase a headline player solely because their price has already dropped. Late-cycle cards can continue falling as FUTTIES approaches.
When to Sell
Consider selling when:
The card no longer starts.
A stronger Winner Release item fills the same role.
You need Coins for a specific upgrade.
Weekend demand has temporarily increased its price.
FUTTIES is likely to add more alternatives.
Keep a tradeable card when you are actively using it and can accept further depreciation.
Best Priorities by Player Type
Common Summer Stars Mistakes
Buying Headline Players Immediately
Launch prices are often driven by scarcity and hype rather than stable demand.
Ranking Cards Only by Overall Rating
PlayStyles, Roles, body type and positions matter more than a small OVR difference.
Completing Every Player SBC
Untradeable cards compete for the same limited starting positions.
Ignoring the Winner Release
New champion cards can reduce demand for existing players.
Spending Tokens on Small Packs First
A guaranteed player or Evolution may provide significantly more value.
Using an Evolution Without Previewing the Final Card
Caps may prevent the attributes you care about from increasing.
Missing the Pelé Deadline
The free ICON login reward ends with Festival of Football on July 24.
Buying Third-Party Coins Without Reviewing EA Rules
EA prohibits third-party Ultimate Team Coin purchases and warns that account sharing and Coin transfers can lead to restrictions or security risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did FC 26 Summer Stars start?
Summer Stars began on July 17, 2026.
When does FC 26 Summer Stars end?
The main campaign is scheduled to end on July 24, although SBCs, Evolutions and Objectives may have separate deadlines.
Who is the best Summer Stars player?
Mbappé is the strongest general meta option, while Vini Jr. is the best natural winger and Messi is the strongest central creator.
How many Summer Stars SBCs are coming?
EA confirmed five Summer Stars player SBCs, two Greats of the Game SBCs and one final-themed Showdown.
Which Summer Stars SBC is best?
Michael Olise offers the highest premium ceiling. Enzo Fernández is better for midfield-focused squads, while Cucurella is the cheapest and safest completion.
How many Summer Stars Evolutions are available?
Eight: five in the Evo Store and three in the Token Store.
How do I qualify for the Ultimate Festival Tournament?
Win three matches in the Ultimate Festival Event.
What is the Ultimate Festival Tournament reward?
The main advertised reward is a 95+ Summer Stars Campaign Guarantee Pack.
What is The Greatest Show group reward?
Summer Stars Mikel Oyarzabal, 50 FUTTIES Tokens and 500 Season Points.
Is the Summer Stars rarity Evolution worth it?
Only when five nation chemistry links significantly improve your squad. It does not add stats.
Should I open packs now or wait for FUTTIES?
Open now when you need Summer Stars or SBC fodder. Save when your current squad is complete and you prefer the likely broader FUTTIES item pool.
Can I buy Ultimate Team Coins from a third party?
Third-party services may offer Coins, but EA states that purchasing them violates its rules and may lead to account restrictions or security risks.
Final Verdict: What Should You Prioritize?
The best Summer Stars route is:
Claim free Pelé before July 24.
Complete The Greatest Show.
Earn Oyarzabal and the Token rewards.
Win three Ultimate Festival Event matches.
Enter the Ultimate Festival Tournament.
Target the 95+ Summer Stars pack.
Complete the free Summer Spark Evolution.
Review all Token Store players and Evolutions.
Complete only SBCs that improve your squad.
Wait for Winner Release before buying expensive cards.
Finish FUTTIES Daily Play.
Keep part of your Coins and fodder for the next promo.
Best overall player: Mbappé
Best winger: Vini Jr.
Best creator: Messi
Best midfielder: Bruno Guimarães
Best live premium SBC: Olise
Best low-cost SBC: Cucurella
Best guaranteed objective: Oyarzabal
Best competitive reward: 95+ Summer Stars guarantee pack
Best F2P strategy: Objectives, free Evolutions and guaranteed Token rewards
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