How to win a trip to Budapest to watch the UEFA Champions League through PlayStation Tournaments

EA FC 26 fans have the opportunity to win tickets and a travel package for the 2026 Champions League Final in Budapest, simply by competing in PlayStation Tournaments.

PlayStation Tournaments provide EA SPORTS FC players with the opportunity to win exclusive prizes by testing their mettle against fellow managers.

This usually includes free FC Points to be used for opening packs in search of the world’s biggest stars. But for the UEFA Champions League Finals, they’ve upped the ante by hosting a competition where the grand prize is a ticket and travel to the 2026 Champions League Final.

So, here’s how to sign up for the UEFA Champions League Challenge, what the format looks like, and some tips to help you come out on top.

How to sign up for EA SPORTS FC 26 PlayStation Tournaments

There are plenty of tournaments to choose from, but if you’re eyeing those tickets, make sure to look for the UEFA Champions League Challenge. Here’s what you need to do:

From EA FC 26

1. Open FC 26 and go to the main menu.
2. Scroll down to the ‘PlayStation Tournaments’ section.
3. Browse all upcoming tournaments and their advertised rewards.
4. Select the tournament you want to join and press Register.
5. Wait for a console notification when the match is about to start – be sure to join as soon as it appears to avoid being disqualified.

From your PS5 home menu

1. On your PS5 dashboard, go to the Game Hub for FC 26.
2. Scroll to the “Upcoming Tournaments” carousel.
3. Pick a tournament that fits your schedule, and hit Register.
4. When your match time arrives, you’ll get a notification to join.

Eligible countries

The Champions League Final prize is only available in the North American and European brackets, meaning the following countries are eligible:

US, Canada, MX, Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom.

If you’re outside these regions, you can still take part in PlayStation Tournaments through the same methods, with free FC Points up for grabs.

UEFA Champions League Challenge dates & format

The UEFA Champions League Challenge PlayStation Tournament is a single-bracket elimination competition.

If you perform well enough in the Open Qualifiers, you’ll progress to the Closed Playoffs. Here’s a full breakdown of the structure and key dates to be aware of:

League Phase Split Two

• Open Qualifiers: 8 – 14 December / 19 – 25 January / 26 January – 1 February
• Closed Playoffs: 8 February 

KO Playoffs Phase

• Open Qualifiers: 16 – 22 February / 23 February – 1 March
• Closed Playoffs: 8 March

Round of 16 

• Open Qualifiers: 9 – 15 March / 16 – 22 March
• Closed Playoffs: 29 March   

Quarter Finals

• 6 April – 19 April

Semi Finals

• 27 April – 10 May

Finals

• 25 May – 31 May

Rewards

The winner of every Closed Playoffs event will win a ticket to the Champions League Final. However, if you make it that far, there are also smaller prizes on offer, even if you don’t go all the way. 

Standing	Prize
1st	UEFA Champions League Final Ticket + Travel Package
2nd	100 Euros
3rd-4th	50 Euros
5th-8th	30 Euros

Tips

The UEFA Champions League Challenge lets you complete using your own Ultimate Team, so you can tweak your approach.

First of all, try to build a squad in line with the current meta. Most of your opponents will be using players from the Premier League, WSL, or LaLiga, so it’s best to do the same to ensure you’re not outmatched. 

You should also stick to formations that offer balance – something like a 4-2-3-1 (wide) tends to give good defensive coverage while allowing creativity in attack. Alternatively, 4-4-2 works well if you prefer a strike partnership and don’t mind sacrificing a number 10.

But most of all, use a team you feel comfortable with. Although some cards are better than others, it’s best to stick with a setup that you’re used to playing with, rather than trying to learn a whole new approach in a high-pressure situation.