The Transfer Market is one of the most important and anticipated features of the Ultimate Team™ mode in EA Sports FC 26. It's where players can trade cards, track price fluctuations, and strategically build their dream squads. However, for new users or even for accounts that have not yet been verified, access to the Market may be temporarily blocked. Understanding how this unlocking process works, what influences it, and what the new EA policies are in 2025 is essential to make the most of the experience in FC 26.
How the Transfer Market unlocking works
The time required to unlock the Transfer Market is not fixed, as it depends on various factors related to account behaviour. According to EA Sports' updated guidelines, unlocking is a security measure aimed at ensuring that only legitimate players — and not bots or fraudulent accounts — have access to trades.
The main criteria evaluated include:
✅ Account history: if there are records of irregular behaviour, violations of the Terms of Service, or suspicious activities, access may be blocked for a longer period.
✅ Number of accounts on the same device: the more Ultimate Team™ accounts linked to the same console or PC, the longer the unlocking process is likely to take.
✅ Player activity: the number of "active days" is crucial.
What is considered an "active day"?
In EA Sports FC 26, the concept of an "active day" remains similar to previous titles, but now EA has improved the way it is counted. An active day is recorded when the player plays at least three complete matches in Ultimate Team™ mode and logs into the Web App or Companion App within the same day (according to UTC time).
It's important to highlight that playing more matches does not speed up the unlocking — EA considers consistency and engagement over consecutive days, not just the number of matches played.
Examples of average unlocking times
⚡ New, unique, and in good standing account: typically, unlocking occurs after 2 active days.
⚡ Device with multiple Ultimate Team™ accounts: 4 to 6 active days are needed, depending on the number of linked profiles.
⚡ Shared devices: when multiple users are using the same console, the time may exceed one week of activity, as the system needs to verify individual usage patterns.
How to know if the Market has been unlocked
As soon as access is granted, the player will receive a notification within Ultimate Team™. Additionally, it is possible to check directly on the Web App or Companion App if the Market is already active. A specific tab called Transfer Market Status was added in the September 2025 update, allowing real-time visibility of the unlocking status.
Difference between locked and unlocked market
This is one of the most common questions among players.
🔒 Locked Market: the user cannot buy, sell, or search for card values within the game or apps. Access is restricted only to internal functions of Ultimate Team™, such as building squads and opening packs.
🔓 Unlocked Market: the player has full access to the in-game economy, being able to buy, sell, and observe values of players and items directly through the Web App or Companion App, even outside the console. This functionality is especially useful for tracking market fluctuations and profiting from trades, particularly during events like Road to the Knockouts and TOTW in FC 26.
Tips to speed up unlocking
📌 Keep the account active daily, playing complete matches and accessing the app.
📌 Avoid switching between multiple accounts on the same device.
📌 Do not use third-party tools, scripts, or automated buying and selling methods — this can lead to penalties and even banning.
📌 Use the Game Time Setup feature, added in EA FC 26, which helps monitor activity time and track progress until the Market is unlocked.
In summary, unlocking the Transfer Market in EA Sports FC 26 remains an individualised process, adjusted to each player's behaviour. EA has reinforced security and control in 2025, aiming to balance trading freedom with the integrity of the game's virtual economy. Therefore, the best way to ensure quick and secure access is to keep the account active, follow best practices, and play regularly — after all, in FC 26, consistency and fair play are the true keys to success in the Market.