FC 26 Summer Stars: Release Date, Leaked Players, Full Squad & Predictions
Solomon Jackson
FC 26 Summer Stars officially launches on Friday, July 17, 2026, replacing Phenoms as the final Festival of Football promo before FUTTIES begins. Early community leaks point to a squad packed with some of the biggest names in world football, including Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, Jude Bellingham, and Ousmane Dembélé.
While EA Sports has already confirmed the promo's place in the Festival of Football schedule, the complete player squad and final ratings remain unofficial. This guide separates confirmed information from current leaks and explains everything you need to know before Summer Stars goes live.
Quick Answer
FC 26 Summer Stars begins on
July 17, 2026, and runs until
July 24 as the final
Festival of Football campaign before
FUTTIES. The promo is expected to celebrate
the best performers from this summer's international football
competitions with high-rated special cards,
new SBCs, Objectives, and
premium pack content. Several elite players have already leaked,
although EA Sports has not officially revealed
the complete squad.
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FC 26 Summer Stars Release Date
EA Sports has confirmed that FC 26 Summer Stars launches on Friday, July 17, 2026, following the standard Ultimate Team content update at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET / 6 PM BST.
The promo replaces Phenoms and serves as the final chapter of Festival of Football before FUTTIES arrives later in July. Like other Ultimate Team promos, Summer Stars is expected to remain live for one week before the next major campaign begins.
What Is the FC 26 Summer Stars Promo?
Summer Stars celebrates the standout players and biggest performances from this summer's international football competitions.
Unlike Phenoms, which focused on breakout young talents, Summer Stars highlights established stars who delivered on the biggest stage. That wider selection means the promo is expected to feature elite attackers, midfielders, defenders, and goalkeepers from multiple national teams rather than concentrating on one player profile.
Players can also expect the usual Ultimate Team content throughout the week, including:
Special Summer Stars player cards
Squad Building Challenges (SBCs)
Objectives
Evolution content
Upgrade Packs
Player Picks
As the final Festival of Football promo, Summer Stars is expected to introduce some of the highest-rated cards released before FUTTIES.
FC 26 Summer Stars Leaked Players
Although EA Sports hasn't officially revealed the squad yet, several reliable community leakers including ASY FUT have already shared a number of expected Summer Stars players.
Leaked FC 26 Summer Stars Players
Current leaked players and expected ratings (unofficial).
Player
Club
Nation
Position
Leaked Rating
Kylian Mbappé
Real Madrid
France
ST
98
Erling Haaland
Manchester City
Norway
ST
98
Lionel Messi
Inter Miami
Argentina
CAM
98
Jude Bellingham
Real Madrid
England
CAM
98
Ousmane Dembélé
PSG
France
ST
98
Harry Kane
Bayern Munich
England
ST
98
Vozinha
—
Cape Verde
GK
98
Leandro Trossard
Arsenal
Belgium
LW
97
Michael Olise
Bayern Munich
France
RW
97
Pedro Porro
Tottenham Hotspur
Spain
RB
96
Andreas Schjelderup
Benfica
Norway
LW
96
Mikel Merino
Arsenal
Spain
CM
96
Note: The players and ratings above are based on current community leaks. EA Sports has not officially confirmed the complete Summer Stars squad, so all names and ratings should be treated as unofficial until the promo goes live.
Additional leaked players and card ratings are expected to appear closer to launch, but the final squad won't be confirmed until EA Sports publishes the official reveal or the cards enter packs.
FC 26 Summer Stars Full Squad
The complete Summer Stars squad will be revealed when the promo launches on July 17.
Based on previous Festival of Football releases, community leakers are likely to publish additional players and card ratings shortly before release, followed by EA Sports' official loading screen and Ultimate Team announcement.
Once the promo goes live, we'll update this guide with the complete Summer Stars squad, confirmed ratings, PlayStyles+, and official card designs.
Summer Stars Cards, Upgrades & Promo Features
Although EA Sports hasn't revealed the full details yet, Summer Stars is expected to follow the structure established throughout Festival of Football.
Players can likely expect:
Premium Summer Stars player cards
Multiple PlayStyle+ traits on top-tier items
Daily SBCs
New Objectives
Upgrade Packs
Player Picks
Evolution content
Because Summer Stars closes out Festival of Football, many players expect some of the highest-rated cards of the FC 26 cycle before FUTTIES introduces its annual wave of fan-favorite re-releases.
Unlike earlier promos that focused on specific themes such as breakout talent or tournament progression, Summer Stars is expected to reward players who consistently performed at the highest level throughout the summer, making it one of the strongest promos for improving Ultimate Team squads.
Best Summer Stars Players to Watch
Although the official squad hasn't been announced, several leaked players already stand out as potential meta cards.
Kylian Mbappé
Mbappé is expected to be one of the headline players of the promo. If his leaked 98-rated item proves accurate, he'll likely become one of the fastest and most complete attackers in Ultimate Team.
Haaland's combination of physicality, finishing, and aerial ability already makes him one of the game's strongest strikers. A Summer Stars upgrade could make him one of the most dominant forwards before FUTTIES.
Messi continues to receive elite special cards thanks to his exceptional dribbling, passing, and finesse shooting. His leaked Summer Stars version could become one of the best creative attackers in FC 26.
Bellingham's balanced attributes make him one of the most versatile midfielders in Ultimate Team. If included, his Summer Stars card should fit almost every midfield setup.
With elite pace, five-star skill moves, and excellent dribbling, Dembélé is expected to be one of the most popular attackers if the current leaks prove accurate.
A little preparation before launch can help you get much more value once Summer Stars arrives.
Save Your Best Packs
If you're planning to chase Summer Stars players, avoid opening high-value packs before the promo begins. Waiting until July 17 gives you the best chance of packing one of the new special items.
Keep Coins Available
Player prices often fluctuate significantly during major promos. Keeping a healthy coin balance allows you to react quickly if desirable players drop in price after release.
Hold High-Rated Fodder
Summer Stars is expected to introduce several premium SBCs. Having high-rated fodder already in your club can save a significant amount of coins once those challenges arrive.
Don't Buy Players Based Only on Early Leaks
Leaked players, ratings, and positions can all change before launch. Unless you're making a long-term investment, it's generally safer to wait until EA Sports officially reveals the squad before spending large amounts of coins.
Watch the Market After Launch
The first 24 to 48 hours of a major promo usually create one of the biggest market drops of the week. If you're planning to upgrade your squad rather than pack players, this often provides the best buying opportunity.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does FC 26 Summer Stars start?
FC 26 Summer Stars launches on Friday, July 17, 2026, following EA Sports' standard Ultimate Team content update.
What is the FC 26 Summer Stars promo?
Summer Stars is the final Festival of Football campaign in FC 26, celebrating the biggest performances from this summer's international football competitions with special player cards, SBCs, Objectives, and additional Ultimate Team content.
Which players have leaked for Summer Stars?
Current community leaks include:
Kylian Mbappé
Erling Haaland
Lionel Messi
Jude Bellingham
Ousmane Dembélé
Harry Kane
Along with several other high-rated players. None of these names have been officially confirmed by EA Sports yet.
Has EA Sports confirmed the full Summer Stars squad?
No. EA Sports has confirmed the promo's release date, but the complete player squad and ratings have not been officially revealed.
Should I save packs for FC 26 Summer Stars?
Yes. If you're hoping to pack Summer Stars players, saving your highest-value packs until the promo begins is generally the best strategy.
Is Summer Stars the last Festival of Football promo?
Yes. Summer Stars concludes the Festival of Football campaign before Ultimate Team moves into the annual FUTTIES promotion.
Final Thoughts
FC 26 Summer Stars looks set to be one of the biggest Ultimate Team promos of the summer. With the event officially launching on July 17, players can expect another wave of elite special cards before the FC 26 cycle enters its final FUTTIES stage.
While many of the current player leaks come from reliable community sources, it's still worth waiting for EA Sports' official squad reveal before making major transfer-market decisions. We'll continue updating this guide with confirmed players, official ratings, and the complete Summer Stars squad as soon as new information becomes available.
If you're planning to build your dream squad during Summer Stars or prepare for FUTTIES, having enough FC 26 Coins gives you more flexibility to complete SBCs, buy newly released players, and take advantage of market opportunities throughout the promo.
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Solomon Jackson
Content Writer
Solomon has been gaming for over a decade, focusing on Career Mode saves, Ultimate Team grinds, and long-term rebuild challenges. He specializes in football games, particularly EA Sports FC, analyzing tactics, player roles, and squad-building strategies that work in-game. As a writer, he contributes to platforms like Keen Gamer, FreezeNova, Gfinity, Outsider Gaming, and The Gamer, producing player-focused guides, Career Mode storytelling, and in-game analysis. His style is conversational and practical, offering clear advice based on real gameplay — if something works, he explains why; if it doesn’t, he says it plainly — making every article feel like guidance from someone who has actually played the save.
