How to Unlock FC 26 Transfer Market - Full Guide (2025)

The Transfer Market is one of the premier features in EA SPORTS FC 26 Ultimate Team, allowing players to buy and sell footballers, consumables, and club items. Unlike previous titles, players are not given access right away.

EA has introduced a Graduated Access system this year; hence, how you progress in your access to the market will be dependent on whether you are a returning FUT user or a completely new user to the mode. Here are all the details you will need to know how to unlock the FC 26 transfer market.

How to Unlock FC 26 Transfer Market

Returning Players Get Instant Access

If you played Ultimate Team previously and your EA account is in good standing, when you log back in to the same platform, you will get automatic access to the Transfer Market. This means that returning players will be able to trade right away without having to go through additional objectives.

EA simply wants to reward loyal FUT players who were in good standing in previous games. This will allow instant access to a returning player, allowing them to invest in squads, trade consumables, and enjoy the Transfer Market immediately.

New Players Must Complete Objectives

The FC 26 Transfer Market features are locked for first-time players and players without eligibility. To unlock it, you must complete a series of Foundation Objectives to learn the basics of FUT as well as fair use of the market.
Here is what you have to do, step by step:

1. Navigate to Objectives → UT Objectives → Foundations.

2. Complete all four groups:

   • New Beginnings

   • Path to Pro

   • FC Competitor

   • Market Mastery (must be completed last, in order with FC Competitor).
     Expect to play around 40 matches to clear everything.

3. Get confirmation once the objectives are done—this unlocks the market.

4. Wait 24 hours for unlimited access. During this period, you can list as many items as you want, but you’re capped at eight buy actions.

Initially, this process may feel like a slog, but it’s a fair way to introduce inexperienced players to the FUT economy.

In completing matches and objectives, new players will not just learn about the fundamentals of trading but will also show they are not just golf-bag players. When the 24 hours are complete, they will once again become valuable players in the FUT ecosystem.

Graduated Access Across Platforms

This new graduated system isn’t just for PC anymore - it’s now for Xbox, PlayStation, PC, and Nintendo Switch. EA trialled the implementation late in 2024 and has subsequently included it as part and parcel of FC 26 to help safeguard the FUT economy and to give players who are new to trading the much-needed support in starting off their FUT trading journeys.

So why is EA introducing graduated access to FUT? The point is to prevent bots and exploiters, and inactive accounts from flooding the market. By having mandatory objectives and playtime under gradual access to FUT, it stops players who are not genuine and/or committed to trading from feeling they can trade with everyone else. This should assist with tackling inflation's influence on FUT prices, and it means that everyone gets a chance to succeed regardless of platform. Meanwhile, do not forget to check out our coverage on the FC 26 Road to the Knockouts Official Card.