The Ultimate Scream promotion was one of the most creative and entertaining events in FIFA Ultimate Team history, remembered for its unpredictable and game-changing upgrades. Unlike standard in-form cards that delivered modest, balanced boosts, Ultimate Scream cards transformed players in radical ways, often turning a weakness into a strength or amplifying an existing attribute to supernatural levels. This unpredictability and thematic flair made the promo a fan favorite, and with speculation about its return in EA FC 26, excitement is building among players eager to see how it might shake up the game once again. Many fans are already preparing their squads and building coin reserves through FC 26 Coins to take advantage of the potential market changes.
One of the defining features of Ultimate Scream was the “scary” stat boosts, often +15 or higher to one or two attributes. These boosts could turn a slow, towering center-back into a pace demon or give a lightweight winger the strength of a power forward. Player selection was equally creative, with EA often choosing individuals based on physical presence, aggressive play style, or even a spooky name. This thematic curation made the promo feel more like a seasonal celebration than a simple content drop.
In early years, the boosts were dynamic and temporary, activating during Halloween or full moons, which added an extra strategic layer for squad building. Later versions made these boosts permanent, aligning with modern Ultimate Team expectations and allowing players to keep their upgraded cards for the long term. While Ultimate Scream was eventually replaced by promos like Rulebreakers, none have quite replicated the chaos and fun it brought to the game.
If EA Sports revives Ultimate Scream for EA FC 26, the likely launch window would be the last two Fridays of October, with a predicted start date of Friday, October 24, 2025. The event would probably span two weeks, with two separate team releases and possibly a mini-release in between. Permanent upgrades would be the standard, and the promo would likely include themed Squad Building Challenges (SBCs), milestone Objectives, and Halloween-inspired stadium items.
Potential EA FC 26 Ultimate Scream Player Predictions
Predictions focus on players who could be dramatically transformed by targeted boosts. The following table compares their current strengths with the predicted “Scream” upgrades.
| Player | Club | Nation | Predicted Scream Boost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virgil van Dijk | Liverpool | Netherlands | +20 Pace – Turning an elite defender into an uncatchable force. |
| Erling Haaland | Manchester City | Norway | +25 Agility & Balance – Improving mobility to match his physical dominance. |
| Jamal Musiala | Bayern Munich | Germany | +30 Strength & Defending – Transforming a technical dribbler into a box-to-box powerhouse. |
| William Saliba | Arsenal | France | +20 Passing & Dribbling – Elevating his ball-playing skills to elite status. |
| Federico Valverde | Real Madrid | Uruguay | +15 Shooting & 5* Weak Foot – Making him a complete midfield threat. |
| Victor Boniface | Bayer Leverkusen | Nigeria | +25 Pace & +20 Dribbling – Adding speed and flair to his physical game. |
| N'Golo Kanté | Al-Ittihad | France | +20 Shooting & +20 Strength – Reviving his all-action dominance with offensive power. |
| Cristian Romero | Tottenham Hotspur | Argentina | +25 Pace – Matching his aggression with elite recovery speed. |
| Rasmus Højlund | Manchester United | Denmark | +15 Dribbling & 5* Skill Moves – Turning him into a technical target man. |
| Sandro Tonali | Newcastle United | Italy | +20 Pace & +20 Shooting – Making him a dynamic scoring midfielder. |
Market Impact and Squad Building
- Pre-Promo Dip: Player prices often drop before major events as traders liquidate squads.
- Fodder Price Surge: High-rated, low-cost cards become expensive due to SBC demand.
- Scream Card Premium: Meta-relevant cards will command high prices due to rarity and transformative boosts.
Building around Scream cards changes tactical possibilities. A center-back with elite pace allows for a high defensive line, while a midfielder with new shooting prowess can become a primary goal threat. These upgrades don’t just enhance a player’s role—they redefine it entirely. If Ultimate Scream returns in EA FC 26, it could restore a level of creativity and unpredictability that many feel has been missing from recent cycles, making it a perfect opportunity for players to invest smartly and prepare their squads with cheap FC 26 Coins.