FC 25 SQUAD BATTLES CALENDAR: FULL SCHEDULE AND HIGHLIGHTS
An integral part of Ultimate Team for some time now, FC 25 Squad Battles offer a unique way to test your skills and earn rewards. This game mode pits you against AI-controlled teams for a challenging yet rewarding experience. As you progress through the matches, you’ll find that mastering the Squad Battles calendar is key to maximising your success and reaping the best rewards.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the full FC 25 Squad Battles schedule and highlight the key aspects you need to know. You’ll discover how the mode has evolved, get an insight into the weekly reward structure, and learn tips to improve your Squad Battles gameplay. Whether you’re an experienced player or new to FC 25, understanding the ins and outs of Squad Battles will give you the edge you need to build your ultimate team.
THE EVOLUTION OF SQUAD BATTLES IN FC 25
FC 25 brings significant changes to Squad Battles to enhance your Ultimate Team experience. You’ll find new features and improvements that address community feedback and introduce innovative gameplay elements.
Changes from previous versions
One of the most notable changes in FC 25 (which will affect the Squad Battles rewards you receive) is the introduction of a new storage system for non-tradable duplicate players within Squad Building Challenges (SBCs). This improvement allows you to manage your squad more efficiently, giving you more flexibility when completing challenges.
In order to simplify game management, EA has also removed contracts for players and managers. This change eliminates the need to constantly renew contracts, allowing you to focus more on gameplay and strategy.
As for the Squad Battles mode itself, no major announcements have been made, and we expect things to continue as before.
ANALYSING THE FC 25 SQUAD BATTLES SCHEDULE
Squad Battles in FC 25 Ultimate Team will run on a weekly cycle from September 2024 to September 2025. The competition is updated every Saturday, giving you a new set of challenges each week.
Key dates and milestones
Here’s a breakdown of the key dates:
- Start date: 24 September 2024 at 09:00 UTC
- End date: 20 September 2025 at 09:00 UTC
- Weekly refresh: Every Saturday at 09:00 UTC (08:00 UTC during winter months)
Each week you’ll have the opportunity to play up to 34 matches against AI-controlled squads. The first 32 matches will be against teams from the Ultimate Team community, while the final two will be against the featured team and the Team of the Week (TOTW).
Seasonal variations
Throughout the year, you’ll notice some variations in the Squad Battles schedule:
- The time is changing – Refresh time shifts between 09:00 UTC and 08:00 UTC to account for Daylight Saving Time.
- Special Events – During popular promotional events, new Milestone Objectives may be introduced, adding extra challenges to your Squad Battles experience.
- End-of-Season Activities – New Objectives are often released at the start of a new season and during the final week of each season.
It’s worth noting that while most Ultimate Team Objectives are tied to specific seasons, the Milestones Objectives in Squad Battles are not. These long-term goals can be completed at your own pace, giving you more flexibility in your gameplay.
Impact on Ultimate Team progression
Squad Battles has a significant impact on your Ultimate Team progression in FC 25. Here’s how:
- Rewards – As you play Squad Battles, you earn Coins and Battle Points. These Battle Points determine your rank in the weekly competition, which in turn affects the rewards you receive.
- Ranking System – Your rank is based on your performance relative to all other participants. Only a certain percentage of players can reach each rank, making the competition fierce.
- Unlimited Play – You can play an unlimited number of games, but only the first 32 will count towards your ranking. This allows you to continue playing for practice or to complete Objectives without affecting your weekly ranking.
- Refresh System – You can refresh to get four new squads at any time, up to a maximum of eight refreshes per week. This gives you up to 32 matches against community squads, plus featured squad and TOTW matches.
- Objective Completion – Squad Battles provides an excellent opportunity to work on various Objectives, including Milestones. These can be completed in-game or via the web/companion app, depending on your requirements.
- Player Item Upgrades – With the enhanced Evolutions system in FC 25, you can use Squad Battles to work on evolving your players. The mode allows you to complete multiple Evolutions at the same time, giving you more opportunities to upgrade your Player Items.
By consistently participating in Squad Battles, you can continually improve your Ultimate Team, earn valuable rewards and progress through various Objectives and Evolutions. This mode is an integral part of your overall FC 25 Ultimate Team experience, providing a structured way to improve your squad and test your skills against AI-controlled teams throughout the year.
MASTERING THE SQUAD BATTLES CALENDAR
To maximise your success in FC 25 Squad Battles, you need to understand and effectively manage the competition calendar. By mastering the schedule, you can optimise your gameplay and rewards.
Balancing Squad Battles with other modes
While Squad Battles is an essential part of FC 25 Ultimate Team, it’s crucial to balance it with other game modes for a well-rounded experience:
- Prioritise – Decide which modes are most important to your Ultimate Team progression and allocate your time accordingly.
- Use Squad Battles for Objectives – This mode is great for completing various Objectives, including Milestones. You can work on these in-game or via the web/companion app.
- Use the Evolutions System – With the enhanced Evolutions in FC 25, use Squad Battles to work on evolving your players. You can complete multiple Evolutions at the same time in this mode.
- Combine with Other Modes – Alternate between Squad Battles and other modes such as Division Rivals or Champions to keep your experience fresh and varied.
Planning your gameplay sessions
Squad Battles in FC 25 runs on a weekly cycle, refreshing every Saturday at 09:00 UTC (08:00 UTC during the winter months). You will have the opportunity to play up to 34 matches against AI-controlled squads each week.
Above all, use your Refreshes wisely. You can Refresh at any time to get four new squads, up to a maximum of eight Refreshes per week. This gives you up to 32 matches against community squads, plus featured squad and Team of the Week (TOTW) matches.
Also, spread out your games. Avoid leaving all your matches for the last day. Instead, spread your games out evenly throughout the week to avoid unnecessary stress.
Adapting to schedule changes
Throughout the year, you’ll encounter variations in the Squad Battles schedule. By mastering the Squad Battles calendar and adapting to its changes, you’ll be well-placed to make the most of this game mode in FC 25 Ultimate Team. Remember that consistency is key in Squad Battles, so keep a regular play schedule and keep up to date with updates and events to maximise your rewards and progress.
CONCLUSION
FC 25 Squad Battles has a significant impact on the progression of Ultimate Team, providing a structured way for players to improve their squads and test their skills. The weekly cycle of this game mode, with its refreshes and ranking system, gives players plenty of opportunities to earn rewards and work towards different Objectives. New features in FC 25, such as the expanded Evolutions system and the removal of contracts, have made Squad Battles even more engaging and strategic.
To get the most out of Squad Battles, players should plan their sessions wisely, balance them with other modes, and be prepared to adapt to schedule changes. By staying on top of updates and events, players can maximise their rewards and progress throughout the year. Ultimately, mastering the Squad Battles calendar is the key to success in FC 25 Ultimate Team, providing a solid foundation for building and improving your dream squad.