EA Sports FC 26 uses Graduated Access for the Ultimate Team Transfer Market. New players—and many who switch platforms—must finish a specific Foundations path in-game before full market activity is available. Eligible returning users in good standing may have access from day one; everyone else should follow the steps below from the in-game Objectives hub.

Unlock the in‑game Transfer Market (Foundations path)

This method grants in‑game Transfer Market access after you complete four Foundations Objective Groups. You’ll receive rewards as you progress, and market access becomes fully active after a short waiting period.

Step 1: Open Ultimate Team, go to Objectives, then select the Foundations tab. Locate the “New Beginnings” group and pin it so you can track progress easily.

Step 2: Complete “New Beginnings.” Finish its tasks, which typically include one early Moments challenge, three Squad Battles, a Featured Squad match, a basic Foundations Moments set, and a small goal tally.

Step 3: Start “Venturing Out.” Play three Rush matches first—this unlocks an entry‑level EVO under Rewards—then complete that EVO requirement, score goals, and play several matches across any UT mode.

Step 4: Finish “Diving In.” Play sets across Rush, Squad Battles (at least Semi‑Pro), and Rivals, plus a larger total‑matches requirement spread over any Ultimate Team mode.

Step 5: Complete “On Your Way.” Expect a 10‑match requirement, five Rush bonuses, 25 assists across any mode, and completing two Squad Building Challenge groups.

Step 6: Claim the Foundations reward, then allow the waiting period to elapse. On PC, full market actions (search, bid, Buy Now) unlock within 48 hours; on consoles and other platforms, within 24 hours. During this window, you can list items but cannot search or make bids/buys until the timer completes. EA documents these timings under Graduated Access (official guide).

Wait time and partial access explained

Once you finish the four Foundations groups and claim the reward, the market transitions in phases. Immediately after completion you can list items; searching and bidding remain unavailable until the 24‑hour (consoles/other platforms) or 48‑hour (PC) period completes. This staged approach is part of EA’s market protection measures and does not indicate a penalty.

Unlock Transfer Market on Web & Companion Apps

The Web and Companion Apps use a separate unlock based on play activity. Advisors can’t grant access; the system checks account standing and activity automatically.

  • Accumulate “active days.” An active day is counted when you play three full Ultimate Team matches and log in to the Web or Companion App in the same UTC calendar day.
  • Aim for two active days if your account is in good standing and is the only Ultimate Team account created on or used by your device. If multiple UT accounts have been used on the device, expect at least four active days (possibly more).
  • Watch for an in‑game message confirming access is unlocked. You can also periodically check the Web or Companion App to see if the market is available.

Troubleshooting common blockers

Foundations groups appear “locked” or not progressing

  • Complete the groups strictly in order. “New Beginnings” unlocks “Venturing Out,” which unlocks “Diving In,” which then unlocks “On Your Way.” If later groups show as blocked, return to the earliest available Foundations group and complete all tasks there first.
  • For “Venturing Out,” ensure you’ve played three Rush matches to reveal the starter EVO under Rewards, then complete that specific “Intro to Rewards” EVO. Using a different EVO will not satisfy this requirement.

Finished Foundations but still cannot bid/search

  • Confirm you claimed the reward for the final group. The timer starts after the claim, not merely on task completion.
  • Wait out the Graduated Access window. Listing is available immediately; searching and bidding will unlock automatically after 24 hours (consoles/other platforms) or 48 hours (PC), per EA’s policy.

Switched platforms and lost market access

  • Expect to follow the full Foundations path as the account may be treated as new for market access on the new platform.
  • After completion, observe the platform‑specific waiting period before full activity is available.

Web/Companion app market still locked after in‑game unlock

  • Build the required number of “active days” by playing three full UT matches and logging into the app on the same UTC day, repeated across days as needed.
  • Avoid using multiple Ultimate Team accounts on the same device; this increases the number of active days required for access.

Market ban concerns

  • If you were banned from the Transfer Market in FC 25, that ban doesn’t carry into FC 26. However, a franchise‑level ban still applies across titles. EA outlines these rules on the Web & Companion policy page linked above.
  • If you receive a ban or block message for rule violations, check the email on your EA Account for details and follow the appeal/security steps provided on EA Help.

Completing the four Foundations groups unlocks Transfer Market access reliably; full functionality arrives after the platform‑specific wait. Keep the apps’ separate “active day” rule in mind if you also want Web/Companion Market access.