Team of the Year is the biggest promo in FC 26, and as always, packs remain the primary way to pack a TOTY card. While the store is full of flashy offers, spending large amounts of FC 26 Coins, or worse, real money, on packs is rarely the smart approach. The odds are stacked against you, and most players end up disappointed.

 

Instead, the most effective method to chase TOTY items is through the Upgrade SBC grind. This menu-based grind allows you to generate a steady stream of packs while recycling fodder efficiently. With the right approach, you can open dozens of packs throughout the promo without draining your club or coin balance.

 

Below is a complete breakdown of how to grind upgrade SBCs properly during the FC 26 Team of the Year event.

 

How Upgrade SBC Grinding Works in FC 26

 

The core idea behind the TOTY grind is simple: turn low-value cards into packs, recycle what you don't need, and slowly build toward higher-tier upgrades. No matter which SBCs are currently available, the grind process itself stays mostly the same.

 

EA regularly rotates upgrade SBCs during the promo, and while many players are hoping for the return of favorites like the 82+ x20, you can still be highly efficient with what's already in the game.

 

Step 1: Complete Daily Upgrade SBCs First

 

Every grind session should begin with Daily Upgrades, as these provide consistent value over time and cost very little fodder.

 

Make sure to complete:

 

Daily Bronze Upgrade

 

Daily Silver Upgrade

 

Daily Common Gold Upgrade

 

TOTY Login Upgrade (when available)

 

These SBCs help maintain your fodder flow and ensure you're constantly generating commons and low-rated golds. Over multiple days, these small upgrades add up and form the foundation of your grind.

 

Step 2: Mixed League and Crafting Upgrades

 

Once your daily SBCs are complete, move on to Mixed League Upgrades. These are best completed using low-rated fodder and common gold cards. They are optional, but they help you generate extra packs while occasionally returning tradeable cards that can be sold for FC 26 Coins.

 

Any leftovers, especially commons or rares below 80 overall, should be sent into the Crafting Upgrade SBCs if they're available. These unlimited upgrades are excellent for keeping your club clean while still giving pack returns.

 

Step 3: League-Specific TOTY Upgrades

 

League upgrades are where the grind becomes more targeted. Here, you can either focus on a specific league containing your favorite FC 26 Players or simply grind the leagues with the highest number of TOTY cards.

 

TOTY Card Distribution by League:

 

Premier League & BWSL: 10 TOTY players

 

La Liga & Liga F: 9 TOTY players

 

Ligue 1 & Arkema Première: 5 TOTY players

 

Other Leagues: 0 main TOTY players

 

This includes the 12th player selections. While Honourable Mentions expand the pool slightly, leagues without main TOTY items are still not worth prioritizing. The best options remain Premier League or La Liga, with La Liga often being the preferred choice due to overall player quality.

 

When completing these upgrades:

 

Use common golds in the base league SBC

 

Use rare golds below 82 overall in premium league upgrades

 

Always save higher-rated rares whenever possible

 

Throwing high-value rares into SBCs unnecessarily is one of the fastest ways to kill your grind.

 

Step 4: Managing Fodder and Staying Liquid

 

If you run low on usable fodder, the Winter Provisions Upgrade is a reliable backup option. This SBC requires three 85-rated players, which you should naturally accumulate from daily packs and upgrades.

 

If needed, you can purchase 85-rated cards from the market for roughly 2.8k–3k FC 26 Coins. Always filter by price and avoid panic-buying, as overpaying quickly adds up during long grind sessions.

 

At this stage, your chances of packing a TOTY are still relatively slim, but the goal here is to build resources for bigger upgrades.

 

Step 5: Move Into High-Tier Upgrade SBCs

 

Once you've stacked Team of the Week cards and gold rares rated 83+, it's time to transition into premium upgrades.

 

Currently, the 83+ x10 Upgrade offers the best balance of cost and return. The 86+ x2 Upgrade is available but generally overpriced unless you're drowning in fodder or dealing with duplicates.

 

EA typically releases more high-value upgrades during the final week of TOTY, so saving fodder for those SBCs can pay off. Any upgrade that offers solid pack weight without extreme requirements is worth completing.

 

If you're short on informs, complete the 83+ TOTW Upgrade, which remains the most efficient way to restock Team of the Week cards.

 

Recommended FC 26 TOTY Grind Path

 

To simplify everything, here's the optimal grind flow:

 

Complete all Daily Upgrades

 

Use commons in Mixed League Upgrades

 

Send commons and rares below 80 into Crafting Upgrades

 

Put all cards below 82 into League Upgrades (PL or La Liga preferred)

 

Use commons in base league SBCs and rares in premium upgrades

 

Save leftovers for future SBCs or unlimited upgrades like 80+ Player Picks

 

Move into 83+ x10 upgrades

 

Complete 83+ TOTW Upgrades when needed

 

Use Winter Provisions if fodder runs dry

 

Recycle everything and repeat

 

Extra Tips to Boost Your Grind

 

Don't forget about objectives. Many objectives reward packs that are perfect for recycling into SBCs. Try to save opening packs until after Sunday, when TOTY Icons and the full TOTY XI are in packs together, maximizing your odds.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Grinding Upgrade SBCs is the most efficient way to chase Team of the Year in FC 26 without wasting FC 26 Coins. While packing a TOTY is never guaranteed, following this structured approach gives you the best possible chance while keeping your club healthy.

 

Stick to the process, manage your fodder carefully, and let the grind do the work.