FC 26 Clubs Deep Dive Released: Archetypes, Live Events & More

The highly anticipated football title FC 26 is set to be released on September 26, 2025. As the release date approaches, the hype surrounding the game is increasing rapidly. Interestingly, EA Sports is also regularly providing exciting updates about the game, making the fans more desperate for the release. Most recently, they have released the FC 26 Clubs Deep Dive, which has buzzed the whole football community. This significant release has shed light on the elements and features that fans will be getting in the game. This includes popular club modes, live events and several other specializations. The main highlight of the update is the introduction of Archetype system which will allow players to customize and make progression inspired by real-life events. Now let's further get into the details of the FC 26 Clubs Deep Dive.

Archetypes

The Archetypes system in FC 26 is specifically introduced for Clubs and Player Career Modes, which will replace the skill tree and Virtual Pro model. It offers a newly improved progression system, using which players can customize their team with better individuality. A total of 13 different Archetypes are available to choose from, each of them inspired by iconic footballers. Archetypes will determine signature Playstyles, perks and other key attributes, assigning specific roles to your Pro on the pitch.

Archetype Progression

The Archetype Progression is driven by earning Archetype XP through matches and rewards from Live Events and Rush Tournaments. Each Archetype has a progression cap of level 50 at the start, and the limit will most likely be increased. Players can use the Attribute points given by AXP to upgrade their stats and notable attributes. These upgrades will further boost your performance, unlocking multiple signature Playstyles and activating signature perks.

How do I unlock Archetypes?

While entering the Clubs for the first time, select any Archetype of your choice. While for unlocking the others, you can use club coins, FC points or Archetype Unlock consumable items that can be obtained as rewards.

How do I progress my Archetype?

Whenever you play matches in Clubs in FC 26, you will earn AXP. The more matches you play the more AXP you can claim. However, there are certain factors that will determine your AXP earnings.

• Role Rating: The higher role rating you get, the better AXP rewards will be accessible to you.
• Gameplay Actions: Every action you complete in a match will earn you a little amount of AXP.
• Match Type: The AXP you earned through Role Rating and Gameplay Actions will vary depending on whether you are playing in Clubs, Clubs Rush, Drop-In or Live Event.
• Skill Games: You can also earn AXP by playing Skill Games. However, the amount you can earn each week will be limited. After you have earned enough AXP, your Archetype will move to the next level.

Note: Each Archetype requires playing separate matches, as you can only level them up individually.

Leveling Up

• With the progress of your Archetype, you will receive rewards to upgrade your abilities and attributes.
• Attribute Points can be used to upgrade attributes that will take you closer to unlocking new PlayStyles.
• Each Signature Playstyle will turn into PlayStyle+, further enhancing your Archetype's power.
• You can also unlock more Signature Perks to make your Archetype more powerful.
• You can obtain more slots to upgrade your Archetype's PlayStyles.

Archetypes Live Updates

After the launch, each of the 13 Archetypes can be progressed up to level 50, giving you enough time to develop and grow your skills. However, moving further you can increase it to a higher level and update it as well, giving you a chance to personalize your favorite Archetype.

Archetype Card

As you move further, your Archetype Card will update and show the levels changing from Bronze to ICON. Each Archetype is unique in its own way, with different backgrounds, pose, with attributes highlighted on one side. Interestingly, you can customize your cards as well using Season Pass rewards, club rewards, or directly through the Clubs store offers.

Consumables

Consumables are another way of progressing your Archetype and is specifically beneficial for players who are joining the Clubs late and trying to catch up. FC 26 will feature several Consumables including the following:

• Archetype XP: It will provide a boost to your AXP match rewards.
• Direct Apply AXP: It will instantly give AXP to your active Archetype but only under a predefined level, making sure that it merely serves as a catch-up tool rather than being a shortcut to reach the maximum level.
• Archetype Unlocks: This will allow you to claim any locked Archetype using the Archetype Screen.
• Archetype Resets: This will send your already spent attribute points to your wallet and allow you to redistribute.

Note: Consumables can be earned via Season Pass and Objective rewards and even Clubs Store.

Signature PlayStyles & PlayStyles Slots

Both Signature Playstyles and Playstyles slots will impact your gameplay and make your performance better.

Signature PlayStyles

Each Archetype features unique Signature PlayStyles. When you unlock the Archetype the Playstyles will instantly unlock as well. With the progression of your Archetype they will also be upgraded to PlayStyle+. You can also swap the Signature PlayStyles to different PlayStyle+.

Customizable PlayStyles Slots

Apart from the Signature PlayStyle, you will also get Customizable PlayStyles Slots that will allow you to customize your Archetype according to your own playstyle. The further you progress your Archetype, the more the number of these slots will increase.

Attribute Unlock Requirements

Each PlayStyle requires specific Attribute Unlock Requirements, so to unlock any PlayStyle, you need to upgrade the attributes first through the Edit Attributes screen or directly through the Customizable PlayStyles screen.

Example: To unlock the Dead Ball, you need to upgrade the below-mentioned attributes:

• FK Accuracy - 75
• Crossing - 80
• ShotPower- 80

Attributes

Attributes are a crucial factor for determining any player's performance and skills.

Min & Max Values

Each archetype will have a unique set of values for all attributes and ranges for skill moves.

Upgrading Attributes

You can upgrade any attribute using Attribute points. With the increase of numbers in each attribute, the requirement of AP will also increase. Usually all upgrades are permanent, but you can also reallocate the points by requesting Archetype Reset.

Key Attributes

Every Archetype is pre-assigned four Key Attributes and doesn't require a big number of AP for upgrade. They are also easy to identify as they are already highlighted on the Edit Attribute Screen.

Height & Weight

Every Archetype has a specific height and weight that can be adjusted within a specific range according to your playstyles. This doesn't impact other Attribrutes as they are applied in very minor amounts.

Specializations

Specializations introduce three different variants of each Archetype that can be developed as you move forward in the game.

Attribute Unlock Requirements

You can unlock the specializations by upgrading required specific attributes. For example: upgrading Finishing, Heading Accuracy, and Volleys will transform your player into a powerful midfielder, who will be capable of becoming the game changer in crucial matches.

Specialization Upgrades

As long as you keep any specialization equipped, your Archetype will get an extra Signature Perk and one additional signature playstyle+. Remember, you can equip only one Specialization at a time.

Signature Perks

Each Archetype consists of two Signature Perks that are unlocked during the progression, while the third one can be equipped when any specialization is active. There are three types of Perks, Action-Based, Mechanic-Based, and Team Focused. All three can be activated after performing different actions.

Live Events

FC 26 will feature multiple Live Events and each one of them will come with exciting challenges, gameplay, and rules that will make collecting rewards an enjoyable process. Every Live Event will be a type of single-knockout contest that will test your gaming skills. The highlighted part of these events is that you will be able to celebrate your victory on the stage with your team just like in the real world. However, every player will get a limited number of attempts to win the tournament, making them quite competitive.

How do I enter a Live Event

The Play menu in the game will display the list of all upcoming and ongoing Live Events. So you just have to select the event available and enter the lobby. You can play solo or with your friends as well. However, to make this successful, you all need to be present in the same lobby of a tournament.

Entry Requirements

Each Live Event has different requirements. While some require you to increase your Clubs Rush Player Rank or improve your Archetype, others might require you to use a specific Archetype to enter the event.

Multi-Stage Events

Many events might be linked to multiple stages, where you are required to win the first event in order to unlock a higher-tier event in the near future. But don't worry, even if you miss out on the first stage, some events will feature a redemption stage, where you will get a great opportunity to climb to the next round.

Flexible Rules & House Rules Events

The Club Rush Live Events will have a set of rules, including the following:

• Designated Scorer: The goals are scored by your designated scorer; the Goal count will be doubled.
• Rugby Rush: This is a fun rule, as you can carelessly push or barge your opponent's shoulder because the referee won't be watching, and as a result, you won't be penalized.

Objectives & Rewards

Every event will offer different rewards, including cosmetics, Archetype card backgrounds, and Consumables to elevate the Archetype's progression.

Revamped Clubs Lobby

The Clubs Lobby is designed with a new look that will not only look better but also perform better in terms of functionality.

Role Fit and OVR

Players will be able to check how well their Archetype fits the role and position. You just have to highlight any vacant position on the lobby to know your Role fit. You will be given any type of fit like, Perfect fit, Good fit, Okay fit, or Bad fit.

Match Status Widget

The exclusive Match Widget feature will give users real-time updates and allow them to check the status of Clubs League matchmaking or Friendly Challenge Requests.

New Set Piece Assignments

The Assignments tab will feature New Set Pieces assignments, giving players more control on routines.

The 2 new Attacking Corner Kick Assignments will feature the following:

• Top of Box
• Defensive Cover
• 5 Total

While the 4 Separate Defensive Corner Kick Assignments will feature the following:

• Threat Marker
• Post Watcher
• Near Post
• Back Post
• Left Throw-in Taker
• Right Throw-in Taker

Multiple Clubs

In FC 26, you can be a member of up to three clubs and even switch between them whenever you want using the Switch Clubs function.

Clubs Rush & Playoff Rewards

You can earn Clubs Rush & Clubs Playoffs rewards from a single club that can be selected from the Switch Clubs screen.

Be-A-Goalkeeper Revamp

The Be-A-Goalkeeper revamp will feature numerous updates in the game, including playstyles, improved UI components, new controls, enhanced camera and audio and more.

Be-A-Goalkeeper in Clubs Rush

BAG players will be able to test their skills on the Rush pitch in Clubs Rush. This mode has also undergone major chanages:

• A maximum of 5 players can be present in the lobby
• Even if your squad doesn't have a goalkeeper, matchmaking will find a squad similar to yours.
• If your squad wants to play without a goalkeeper, you can simply just disable the ‘FIND GK’ in your Clubs Rush Lobby.

AI Facilities

The AI Facilities in FC 26 will upgrade the attributes for your AI teammates. Now club managers will have more time to think when deciding to allocate their resources.

Gameplay Impact

AI Facility upgrades will only come when attributes increase. They are also position-specific, which means you will have a group of Facilities that will improve your strikers, while the other will make your Goalkeeper better.

Other Improvements

EA has taken into account the feedback of the community and rebalanced the Player Facilities to provide better value.

Clubs Gameplay

Clubs gameplay will also see a significant change in FC 26 that includes Gameplay, match ratings, Revamped Fatigue and more.

Competitive Gameplay

You will experience competitive gameplay in Clubs in FC 26. This will create a more challenging environment and bring more joy to users who love fast-paced gameplay. The changes to competitive gameplay has been made because of three major reasons: Consistency, Control and Responsiveness.

Fatigue Redesigned

The Fatigue has also seen a major change in the FC 26. While the Short-term fatigue will work just as before, you will no longer experience loss of Long-Term Fatigue. On the other hand, AI players will see a reduction in sprint speed and acceleration when fatigued.

Playstyles have also been changed to increase how quickly your short-term fatigue sees recovery. But the Stamina attribute will continue to work the same as before.

Match Rating Changes

Match Ratings in Clubs has been changed to Role Rating in the upcoming title, which means every player's performance will now be related to their assigned role the most. You will get the ratings on the basis of categories including Goalkeeping, Dribbling, Shooting, Passing and more.

Expanded Quick Chat Options

Four different Quick Chat categories have been added to the game. After pressing any direction on D-Pad, a new set messages will be available to choose.

For Instructions:

• Keep it simple
• Drop back
• Passing game
• Push up

For Compliments:

• Golazo
• Thanks
• Let's go
• What a save

For Encouragement:

• Lock in
• Shake it off
• My bad
• Unlucky

For Celebrations:

• Cold
• Joga bonito
• GOAT
• GG

CPU AI

The Clubs CPU AI has also improved in FC 26, making it more wise when considering pass requests and choosing better options when numerous requests come at the same time. This improvement will be seen in both Clubs and Rush and make sure that the CPU Goalkeeper will choose better pass options when he gets multiple requests at a time.