New Pitch Notes for FIFA 22 show how the start in Ultimate Team will go. There is new information about early access, special cards, packs, and the web app.
What’s happening right now? In the so-called “Pitch Notes”, EA Sports regularly releases updates about new content in FIFA. This was also the case on September 16th. Here it is explicitly shown how the first days in FUT will go – and a few more details about content were also discussed.
We show you the most important news about Ultimate Team in FIFA 22 in overview.
Early Access and Launch of the Web App
When does early access run? There are several ways to play FIFA 22 before the official release on October 1st.
- There is a 10-hour trial for EA Play members that can be used starting September 22nd.
- EA Play Pro members can access the game without restrictions from September 22nd.
- For pre-orders of the Ultimate Edition, it starts on September 27th.
Bonuses for early access: Those who join early can look forward to some special content during the early access period.
- An untradeable 80-84 Player Pick and a Team of the Week loan player (10 matches) can be earned through special early access objectives.
- TOTW 1 with improved cards will be available online during this time. The TOTW will also be improved – you can read more about it below.
- During early access, there will be special live FUT friendlies where you play for pack rewards.
- There will also be a Ones-to-Watch SBC during early access.
Official Launch of the FIFA 22 Web App
When does the web app start? The web app for FIFA 22 will launch just like early access on September 22nd. The mobile version, that is the companion app, will go online on September 23rd. You can find everything about the web app here.
TOTW, Special Cards and Packs in FUT 22
What’s new with the TOTW? Again in FIFA 22, there will be the Team of the Week. It includes players who performed best in real football on match day. For these players, there will be a special card.
However, in the past, there was criticism that these cards could no longer keep up with the crazier events in FIFA. FIFA 22 aims to improve this according to the Pitch Notes with some adjustments to the cards based on real performances. The beginning will be made with special “Featured TOTW Players”.
As illustrated here with a hypothetical card for Jude Bellingham, these “Featured” players receive a significantly greater boost than regular TOTW cards.
At the start of the season, however, there are restrictions: The player must be rated no higher than 80 or below and must not have an active live card (e.g. Ones To Watch).
This is meant to make “weak” TOTW cards of the past more exciting in the future. At the same time, the Pitch Notes hint that further measures will follow.
Icons, Heroes and Ones to Watch
The Pitch Notes also address three types of special cards and when they will be available.
Heroes: The new FUT Heroes are expected to be available in FIFA 22 starting from the launch on October 1st. Additionally, it is possible that extra versions will be added during events. You can find a list of FUT Heroes here.
Icons: For the icons, there will again be base, mid, prime, and moments cards. Base and mid will be available from the start, while prime and moments will come later. Icon Swaps and Icon SBCs will also return.
Ones to Watch: With the launch of FIFA 22, the OTW event also begins (from October 1st). There will once again be cards for players who switched clubs this summer and will be improved throughout the season.
- Upgrades are available for TOTW or Man-of-the-Match cards
- There will also be a one-point upgrade if the player’s real team wins 5 matches in the first ten matches from October 1st
There will be a total of 28 OTW cards. Team 1 arrives on October 1st and is available until October 8th. On October 3rd, three more OTW cards will be added.
Team 2 will then appear on October 8th and remain until October 13th. This team will also be supplemented by 3 cards – on October 10th.
Those who have ordered the Ultimate Edition will receive an OTW player from the respective team during the period in which they open the OTW pack. After October 13th, both teams will be possible.
The Preview Packs return in FIFA 22
What’s happening with the packs? In FIFA 21, Ultimate Team received packs for the first time that allowed players to see the content before opening them. Players really liked this change as it reduced the element of chance – because now you knew what you were getting for your coins.
If satisfied with the content, you can buy the pack. If you prefer not to, you can simply skip it. Then a 24-hour timer starts until the next preview pack is available – unless you buy the pack. These packs will return in FIFA 22. Non-preview packs will also be back in the shop. There will be both variants.
Want to learn more about FIFA 22? Then find our overview of the FIFA 22 release here.
