Thunderstruck promo
Thunderstruck, the yearly Black Friday promo, is returning to Ultimate Team once again in EA FC 26, so here’s everything we know about the event so far.
EA FC 26 Thunderstruck start date
The Thunderstruck event gets underway on Friday, November 28, 2025, the same day as the annual Black Friday holiday worldwide. This is when the first batch of players will be released, but a second wave has been confirmed for later on the same day, before a third on November 30.
It hasn’t been confirmed exactly how long it will run for, but it’s likely to be for just one week.
What to expect
The Black Friday event is always one of the biggest of the season, and this year is no different. First of all, a new squad of special players and Icon cards will be released into packs, all with boosted stats and the ability to be upgraded based on real-life results.
That’s not all, though, as some of the best Team of the Week cards from EA FC 26 are also being added back into packs, alongside some of the most sought-after cards from past promos. So, if you’ve got any packs saved up, this is the best time to open them.
On top of all that, the devs have also confirmed flash SBCs dropping every two days, as well as special objectives and Evolutions.
Thunderstruck upgrades explained
All Thunderstruck players are eligible for upgrades based on how their teams perform in matches after November 28. Here’s how it works:
- Wins or draws 2 matches in the next 5 Domestic League matches (1 Base PlayStyle)
- Wins or draws 3 matches in the next 5 Domestic League matches (All Roles++ in all positions)
- Scores 10 goals in the next 5 Domestic League matches (Plus 1 PS+ (Max 1) or base PlayStyle)
All players leaked
- Diego Maradona (Icon)
- Birgit Prinz (Icon)
- Franz Beckenbauer (Icon)
- Paolo Maldini (Icon)
- Eusebio (Icon)
- Rivaldo (Icon)
- Roberto Carlos (Icon)
- Camille Abily (Icon)
- David Beckham (Icon)
- Gareth Bale (Icon)
- Franck Ribery (Icon)
- Bastian Schweinsteiger (Icon)
- Alexia Putellas (Barecelona)
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
- Rodri (Manchester City)
- Raphinha (Barcelona)
- Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)
- Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
- Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)
- Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal)
- Hakan Calhanoglu (Lombardia FC)
- Melchie Dumornay (Lyon)
- Olga Carmona (PSG)
- Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)
- Pedro Neto (Chelsea)
- Sam Kerr (Chelsea)
- Giada Greggi (Roma)
- Jurrien Timber (Arsenal)
- Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus)
- Ivan Perisic (PSV)
- Athenea del Castillo (Real Madrid)
- Barış Alper Yılmaz (Galatasary)
- Hayley Raso (Frankfurt)
- Wout Weghorst (Ajax)
- Dennis Zakaria (Monaco)
- Fisnik Asllani (Hoffenheim)