Here’s a complete breakdown of what’s coming, what it means for your squad, and how to prepare.
Season 6 Timeline: When Are Combine and TOTY Dropping?
Both the NFL Combine and Team of the Year programs are confirmed within the Season 6 structure of Madden NFL 26. With roughly 24 days left in the Season 6 Field Pass, the expected rollout looks like this:
· This Thursday – Combine Part 1
· Following Thursday – Combine Part 2
· Mid-March – Team of the Year (single-part program)
This staggered schedule gives Combine two content waves before TOTY closes the season with likely the first true 97 OVR wave of cards.
The Combine Program: Why It’s Always Elite
Historically, the Combine promo has been one of the most impactful annual releases in Ultimate Team. The formula typically includes:
· 96 OVR Champion cards
· Discounted and premium ability buckets
· A Combine Strategy Item (+1 boosts across attributes)
· Performance-based stat upgrades tied to real-world results
Leaked Combine Champions
Leaks indicate a deep champion pool, and more importantly, a major theme team shakeup.
Theme Team Impact
One franchise stands out immediately:
Raiders Theme Team – Potential Meta Shift
Six Combine champions have previously played for the Raiders:
· Darren McFadden
· Darius Heyward-Bey
· Alec Ingold
· Daunte Culpepper
· Nick Martin
· Darien Porter
Six Raiders chem upgrades in a single promo is massive. If you’re running the Raiders, this might be the most advantageous stretch of the year.
Other theme teams receiving significant boosts:
· Broncos – 4 players
· Panthers – 4 players
· Dolphins – 4 players
· Cowboys – 4 players
· Ravens – 4 players
· Colts – 4 players
· Commanders – 4 players
Meanwhile, Seahawks theme teams only get two Combine cards (Jadeveon Clowney and DK Metcalf), which could force competitive players to reconsider their long-term chem strategy.
10 Upgrade Players
In addition to champions, leaks suggest 10 upgradeable players—likely earned via sets, objectives, or Field Pass progression. These cards typically offer strong value compared to full champions and are easier to integrate into budget builds.
Ability Meta Implications
Combine cards traditionally feature:
· Discounted X-Factors
· Reduced AP abilities
· Premium traits (e.g., 1 AP Protector, discounted Route Tech, Edge Threat reductions)
If EA follows precedent, Combine will introduce some of the most cost-efficient ability stacks of the cycle.
Strategic takeaway: If you’ve been holding coins, this is where to deploy them—not earlier filler promos.
Team of the Year (TOTY): The First 97 OVR Wave
TOTY is expected to deliver:
· 97 OVR Champions
· Upgradeable Field Pass player (likely caps at 97)
· Collection Champion with all 32 Team Chems
· Premium ability buckets
Collection Champion Mechanics
The blog mentions a “Collection Champion” that likely requires submitting all TOTY champions.
Expected benefits:
· All 32 team chemistries
· Enhanced ability discounts
· Premium archetype
· Likely offensive or defensive prestige player
This card could become one of the first true endgame anchors.
Game-Breaking TOTY Candidates
Based on nominees and community sentiment, several players stand out.
Caleb Williams – Potential Best Card in the Program
Caleb Williams is widely expected to headline TOTY.
Why he matters in Madden:
· Elite release animation
· High throw velocity
· Custom passing mechanics
· Smooth rollout animation
If he receives a 97 OVR upgrade, he could immediately become QB1 in competitive play. Taking a BND version at quarterback is usually questionable—but this might be the exception.
Skill Position Standouts
Running Back
· Bijan Robinson
· Jonathan Taylor
Both are strong names, but neither is likely to redefine the RB meta.
A missing name many wanted: Jahmyr Gibbs, whose in-game acceleration and directional burst would have translated perfectly into a top-tier TOTY card.
Wide Receiver
Several tall and physical targets could become red-zone nightmares:
· George Pickens
· Tee Higgins
· Puka Nacua
· Jaxon Smith-Njigba
· Amon-Ra St. Brown
Expect the community to prioritize performance and archetype dominance when voting.
Defensive Side: Solid, Not Meta-Defining
A few intriguing names:
· Travis Hunter – Likely two-way eligibility, historically versatile in MUT
· Kyle Hamilton – Typically plays above his speed rating due to size and hit power
Cornerback options include:
· Mike Jackson
· Joey Porter Jr.
While solid, none appear immediately game-breaking compared to offensive upgrades.
99 OVR Is Closer Than You Think
Combine champions start at 96 OVR but could realistically boost to 99 with:
· Strategy item stacking
· Theme team boosts
· Training-based upgrades
TOTY 97 OVR cards? A +2 OVR boost is very attainable.
Prediction:
The first 99 OVR team in Madden 26 Ultimate Team will be a TOTY-optimized theme team.
Strategic Recommendations
1. Don’t Overspend Before Combining
If you’ve avoided heavy investment in recent promos, that restraint will pay off.
2. Reevaluate Your Theme Team
Six Raiders Combine cards alone may justify switching.
3. Plan for the Collection Champion
If the Collection Champion gets all 32 team chems, it will be an endgame-level anchor piece.
4. Prioritize Ability Efficiency
This stage of the cycle is defined by AP optimization, not just raw stats.
Final Outlook
The Combine and TOTY promos in Madden NFL 26 aren’t incremental upgrades—they are structural meta shifts. The next three Thursdays could define the rest of the Ultimate Team cycle. If you manage your Madden 26 coins properly and align your team-building strategy with these leaks, you’ll be ahead of the competitive curve before most players even react.