New information about Ultimate Team in FIFA 22 is now known. The Weekend League and Division Rivals are being completely changed. Additional innovations are coming as well.
News about Ultimate Team: The Ultimate Team mode, or “FUT,” is the largest online mode in FIFA. Players compete weekly for strong rewards, collect player cards, and aim to build the ultimate team.
This year, the main competition modes in FUT are being restructured for the FIFA 22 release. Both Division Rivals and FUT Champions with the Weekend League operate differently in FIFA 22 than they did in FIFA 21. We will show you these and other innovations here.
Weekend League with Qualification and Changed Rewards – Pitch Notes about FIFA 22
Changes in FUT Champions: “FUT Champions” is the competition in Ultimate Team that offers the best rewards. Previously, this was exclusively held on weekends in the form of the “Weekend League.” This will now change.
It will be divided into:
- Champions Play-Offs
- Finals
This division aims to spread the competition throughout the week. According to the Pitch Notes, this change should help make FUT Champions more accessible (via EA Sports).
The first change is that not only “victories” will count in FUT Champions, but points will be collected instead. Losses can also contribute slightly to progress.
Qualification process: To reach the Play-Offs, players must continue to collect Champions Points through Division Rivals. Once enough points are accumulated, players enter the playoffs and can decide when to play them.
The Play-Offs represent the first phase of the competition and are tied to the duration of a FUT season (usually 6 weeks). Players must complete a limited number of games. This way, they can rise in Champions Ranks and earn rewards. Rewards will be paid out at the end of the Play-Off attempt.
If a player accumulates enough points within the limited games, they receive a Finals Qualification Token. If it’s not enough, they must re-qualify for the Play-Offs through Division Rivals.
This is how the Finals work: The Champions Finals will again take place on weekends, as the Weekend League used to. With the token, players can choose when to start the finals. They are expected to complete 20 matches.
Throughout a FUT season, players will have a limited number of attempts to participate in the Champions. The exact number has not been specified yet.
This is how FUT Champions rewards work – No waiting if everything is completed
This is how you get rewards: Rewards in FIFA 22 are no longer tied to the weekend itself – hence the Play-Offs. Even if a player does not reach the finals, they can still receive rewards.
- With the Play-Offs, players already get the chance for initial rewards. Additionally, there is the possibility to qualify for the Finals.
- In the Finals, the placement determines the further rewards. If a player completes all matches, they can claim the rewards immediately. If there are still matches remaining, rewards will be available at the end of the competition.
Division Rivals with Season Rewards and Elite Division for Professionals
Changes in Division Rivals: The Rivals competition will also be linked to the approximately six-week season model in Ultimate Team. There will be a modified ladder system in which players must climb ranks to progress and earn rewards. At the start of each season, progress will be reset to some extent, depending on which division a player ends up in.
The ladders will be divided into several stages within and between divisions, so players always have a view of their current status.
- A victory brings players one step forward
- Losses set players back one step – unless they are at one of several “checkpoints”
- A draw results in remaining in the current position
If a player wins two times in a row, it triggers a “win streak.” For each consecutive victory, they receive another step credit.
All players start in Division 10 and must work their way up. Therefore, there will be no placement matches in FIFA 22 anymore.
This is the Elite Division: After “Division 1” used to be the limit, a further level has been added above: The “Elite Division.”
This is where the absolute best players in FUT will end up and will only be evaluated based on skill rating. Players who reach this division cannot drop out of it for the duration of a season.
This is how Division Rivals rewards work
When and for what are rewards given? Rewards will still be given weekly, as long as enough victories are secured. At the end of the week, rewards will be based on the current progress. The higher one ranks, the better the rewards.
Additionally, there are seasonal milestones. There are a total of 3 milestones on the progress ladder per season. Players can also snag these if they play enough.
FIFA 22: Trailer with all changes in FUT
What kind of trailer is this? A new trailer has been released where you can see all the innovations in motion. We embed it here:
Even more innovations in Ultimate Team
What else is changing? In addition to the modes, there are numerous other innovations. These include:
- New co-op matchmaking. There will be an option to play FUT in friendly matches with random partners. However, you won’t use your own team but pre-made squads. This gives you a chance to test new players.
- The stadium customization will be changed. For example, you will get a VIP area and new options to customize spectators and choreographies.
- The main menu will be rearranged.
- There is a new player view where you can directly check the most important stats based on your player’s position at a glance.
- There is a new setting where you will no longer have to watch your opponent celebrate. Instead, you can observe your own team.
- In some modes, competitive settings will apply by default. You can learn more about this here.
- There will be more search options for stadium items, such as by color.
- The FUT Heroes will be introduced.
The FUT Heroes are a new type of card that acts a bit like “Icon light.” A summary of all FUT Heroes and what that actually means can be found here.
