TL;DR
- Thunderstruck launches EA FC 26’s Black Friday celebration with upgradable player items
- Cards gain PlayStyles based on real club performances from November 28 tracking
- Icon legends like Maradona and Maldini headline the premium player releases
- Strategic pack opening and SBC completion maximize value during the two-week event
- Upgrade system focuses on PlayStyle enhancements rather than OVR increases this year
- The EA FC 26 Thunderstruck promotion has officially commenced across Ultimate Team modes.
- This limited-time event showcases elite-tier footballer cards, each qualifying for performance-based enhancements.
- Thunderstruck selections feature legendary Icons including Diego Maradona and defensive maestro Paolo Maldini.
Thunderstruck represents the inaugural major promotional campaign within EA FC 26’s Ultimate Team seasonal calendar. Originally debuting in FC 24, this Black Friday-themed content drop consistently accelerates the game’s competitive meta progression. The current installment maintains this tradition by introducing exceptional promotional athletes, historic Icons, and Squad Building Challenges to FUT enthusiasts. This comprehensive breakdown covers everything essential about the EA FC 26 Thunderstruck event mechanics and strategic implications.
Thunderstruck Promo Overview and Black Friday Impact

As previously indicated, Thunderstruck honors Black Friday through the distribution of formidable promotional player cards. Throughout the previous two annual cycles, this promotion has substantially reshaped competitive balance preceding Team of the Year (TOTY) selections by presenting outstanding cards that remain eligible for subsequent improvements. The available selections encompass both active professional footballers and legendary Icons from football history.
Beyond the primary squad announcements, participants can anticipate Flash Objectives, Squad Building Challenges, and enticing marketplace bundles that may incentivize purchasing the strategically discounted FC Points currency. The celebration will probably occupy approximately fourteen days on the EA FC 26 promotional schedule.
Thunderstruck Upgrade System and PlayStyle Mechanics
Thunderstruck player items within FC 26 will initiate performance monitoring commencing November 28. These cards qualify for enhancements determined by the actual match results of their associated football clubs. Notably, this year’s enhancement trajectory excludes Overall Rating (OVR) improvements, instead concentrating exclusively on supplementary PlayStyle attributes. Examine the comprehensive upgrade trajectory detailed below:
- 1 Base PlayStyle: Football club secures victories or draws in 2 encounters during the subsequent 5 Domestic League fixtures
- All Roles++ in all positions: Club achieves wins or draws in 3 matches across the next 5 Domestic League contests
- Plus 1 PS+ or base PlayStyle (Maximum 1): Club nets 10 total goals throughout the following 5 Domestic League matches
Pro Tip: Focus on acquiring players from clubs with favorable upcoming schedules. Teams like Manchester City and Real Madrid typically demonstrate higher consistency in achieving these upgrade thresholds.
Common Mistake: Many players overlook the importance of checking domestic league fixtures before investing in Thunderstruck cards. Always verify a club’s next five matches to assess upgrade probability.
Complete Thunderstruck Player Roster and Acquisition Methods

Below compiles the complete roster of Thunderstruck athletes currently integrated into EA FC 26 Ultimate Team:
- Diego Maradona (Icon)
- Birgit Prinz (Icon)
- Franz Beckenbauer (Icon)
- Paolo Maldini (Icon)
- Eusebio (Icon)
- Rivaldo (Icon)
- Roberto Carlos (Icon)
- Samuel Eto’o (Icon)
- Camille Abily (Icon)
- David Beckham (Icon)
- Gareth Bale (Icon)
- Franck Ribery (Icon)
- Bastian Schweinsteiger (Icon)
- Fernando Torres (Icon) *SBC
- Ronald Koeman (Icon) *SBC
- Alexia Putellas (Barcelona Femini)
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
- Rodri (Manchester City)
- Raphinha (Barcelona)
- Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
- Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)
- Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)
- Pedro Neto (Chelsea)
- Sam Kerr (Chelsea)
- Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal)
- Hakan Calhanoglu (Lombardia FC)
- Melchie Dumornay (Lyon)
- Olga Carmona (PSG)
- Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)
- Giada Greggi (Roma)
- Jurrien Timber (Arsenal)
- Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus)
- Ivan Perisic (PSV)
- Athenea del Castillo (Real Madrid)
- Barış Alper Yılmaz (Galatasaray)
- Hayley Raso (Frankfurt)
- Wout Weghorst (Ajax)
- Dennis Zakaria (Monaco)
- Ousmane Diomande (Sporting)
- Fisnik Asllani (Hoffenheim)
- Jules Kounde (Barcelona) *SBC
- William Pacho (PSG) *SBC
Acquisition Strategy: Prioritize completing SBC players first as they offer guaranteed returns. Fernando Torres and Ronald Koeman provide exceptional value for their requirements.
Advanced Strategies and Common Mistakes to Avoid
Successfully navigating the Thunderstruck promotion requires strategic planning and resource management. Here are essential tactics to maximize your returns:
Optimal Pack Timing: Lightning rounds typically occur at 6 PM GMT daily during the event. These limited-time offerings provide significantly improved odds for securing promotional players compared to standard packs.
Resource Allocation: Balance your coin expenditure between guaranteed SBCs and strategic pack openings. The Weapons Unlock strategies from other game modes can be adapted here – focus on high-probability acquisitions rather than gambling on low-odds premium packs.
Team Integration: When building your Ultimate Team, consult our Class Guide for positional synergy principles that apply directly to Thunderstruck card implementation.
Common Pitfalls: Many players overspend on store packs early in the promo. Wait for player prices to stabilize around days 3-5 before making major market moves.
Upgrade Tracking: Monitor your Thunderstruck players’ associated clubs through the Companion App. Set notifications for match days to track upgrade progress efficiently.
Advanced Tactic: Target Thunderstruck players from clubs facing weaker opponents in their next five matches. This strategic approach increases the likelihood of unlocking additional PlayStyles.
Action Checklist
- Complete Fernando Torres and Ronald Koeman SBCs first for guaranteed returns
- Check domestic league fixtures for all Thunderstruck players’ clubs
- Monitor lightning rounds at 6 PM GMT daily for optimal pack value
- Set club match notifications in Companion App to track upgrade progress
- Review our comprehensive Complete Guide for additional team-building strategies
No reproduction without permission:Tsp Game Club » EA FC 26 Thunderstruck Promo: Black Friday Campaign Players and Upgrades Explained Complete guide to EA FC 26 Thunderstruck promo with upgrade strategies and player acquisition tips
