As EA Sports FC 25 begins to wind down, one of the cycle's final—and most celebrated—promotions arrives: Team of the Season (TOTS). It's a moment of excitement and fatigue. On one hand, players receive the best cards of the year—cracked stats, fully juiced abilities, and club-defining additions. On the other hand, the cycle starts shifting toward the next installment of the franchise, with gameplay and interest slowly waning.
Still, for many players, this is the last great grind before EA FC 26 rolls around. Suppose you're someone who still enjoys optimizing your time in Ultimate Team or wants to stack the best squad possible before the curtain call. In that case, this guide will show you how to get the most out of TOTS, particularly by maximizing upgrade packs, daily SBCs, and smart fodder recycling.
Why TOTS is the Crown Jewel of EA FC 25
TOTS isn't just another promo. It's arguably the most exciting event in the Ultimate Team calendar, featuring:
• Massive stat upgrades for the year's best players across all major leagues.
• A wide range of SBCs, Objectives, and Milestones.
• Crafting-focused content to reward dedicated grinders.
• Daily content that rewards players for simply logging in and submitting squads.
If you want to go big before the cycle ends, this is the time to do it.
Upgrade Pack Strategy: Your Core TOTS Loop
During TOTS, you'll see a rotation of upgrade packs. Some will focus on specific leagues, while others are broader. The packs themselves might change in content and structure, but the grind process remains consistent. Here's the ideal path to follow:
1. Start with the Daily Upgrades
• Daily Bronze Upgrade
• Daily Silver Upgrade
• Super Daily Silver Upgrade (if available)
• Daily Login Upgrade (or its variation)
These should be your first stop every day. Not only are they cheap and easy, but they also feed into the bigger SBCs later on.
2. TOTS Grinding Upgrade
During TOTS, EA releases dedicated grinding SBCs, like the TOTS Grinding Upgrade. This is usually a repeatable SBC requiring Silver players, with a reward of three Rare Golds.
Compare that to something like Daily Gold, which often only returns one Rare Gold. While Daily Gold might seem tempting, the TOTS Grinding Upgrade offers more bang for your buck, especially when Silvers are in short supply.
Running Low on Silvers or Bronze Players? Here's What to Do
Let's face it—stock runs out fast during TOTS. Here are three quick ways to keep your grind alive:
A. Complete “Born Legend” Icon SBCs
• The first challenge in every Icon SBC—Born Legend—only requires a Bronze squad.
• In return, you get a Small Silver Pack, which is perfect fuel for your grind.
B. Hunt for Electrum Player Packs
• Look out for challenges or Objectives that reward Mixed or Electrum Player Packs.
• These are great because they give you a spread of Bronze, Silver, and Gold players.
C. Store Pack Solution
• If you're ever desperate for Bronze cards, pick up a Premium Bronze Player Pack from the Store.
• It's usually cheap and ensures your Bronze-to-Silver cycle doesn't stall.
The Golden Grind Order: Optimal SBC Flow
If you want to optimize your grind, this is your go-to sequence every day:
1. Daily Bronze Upgrade
2. Daily Silver Upgrade
3. Super Daily Silver Upgrade
4. Daily Login SBC / Upgrade
5. TOTS Grinding Upgrade
6. TOTS Crafting Upgrade
7. Daily Gold Upgrade
This pattern feeds into itself beautifully. Over time, you'll build up enough Rare Golds and fodder to take on the bigger SBCs.
Avoid the Trap: When Not to Gamble Your Fodder
During TOTS, you'll be tempted by a lot of different upgrade options. Some are worth your time, while others are nothing more than flashy bait. Here's how to separate the two:
Skip These Unless You're Stacked
• Player Pick SBCs like 82+ x2 of 5 Player Pick
o These don't return value consistently.
o They rarely give you the kind of high-rated cards you need.
o Only do them when the pick pool includes big TOTS cards.
Prioritize These
• 83+ x14 Upgrade SBCs
• League-Specific Upgrades with 83+ Requirements
o These are high-risk, high-reward packs, but they're worth it.
o You have a higher chance of hitting something elite.
The Inform Dilemma: Smart Ways to Handle TOTW Cards
One of the major roadblocks in many SBCs during TOTS? Team of the Week (TOTW) requirements.
Here's the breakdown:
• TOTW SBCs are usually disabled by the time TOTS begins.
• Informs become scarce, and their prices rise sharply.
• Most SBCs still demand them, especially for top-tier upgrades or Icons.
What NOT to Do:
• Don't buy Informs from the market unless you're desperate. They're overpriced, and buying them kills the grind's value.
What You SHOULD Do:
• If you already own Informs, consider selling them for a tidy profit.
• If you're grinding packs and get an Inform, hold onto it. Its price may rise.
• Occasionally, EA might release new ways to earn Informs (via Objectives or Milestone rewards). Be on the lookout.
Conclusion: The Grind is Real—but So Are the Rewards
The Team of the Season promo is the final frontier for Ultimate Team grinders. It's where casual players often drop off and the true die-hards rise to the occasion.
By sticking to the optimal upgrade flow, recycling fodder efficiently, dodging low-value SBCs, and preparing for high-demand weeks, you can stack your club with top-tier players and finish EA FC 25 on a high.