Gauntlet is a fresh and demanding live event mode introduced in EA Sports FC 26 Ultimate Team (FUT 26) that challenges players to prove their club depth and squad-building skills. Unlike traditional modes where players can use the same squad repeatedly, Gauntlets require a unique squad for each match, testing roster variety and strategic planning.
How Gauntlets Work:
A Gauntlet consists of a series of consecutive matches — typically three to five rounds per run.
After each match, none of the players from the previous game, including substitutes, can be used again during that run.
You don’t get knocked out upon a loss; instead, you keep playing until you reach the match cap, with better rewards tied to more wins.
Opponent difficulty ramps up as you progress, increasing the challenge for your diverse squads.
Strategic Implications:
Gauntlets incentivize players to build multiple squads rather than focusing solely on a top-tier team.
There are usually minimal or flexible squad requirements, making it viable to use “fun squads” such as historical teams, league-specific teams, evolving players, or first-owner only squads.
This mode increases the life and value of players that might be overlooked in other modes, giving you reason to invest in second, third, or even fourth squads — a factor that makes resources like buy FUT 26 Coins more appealing for strengthening depth.
The unique squad rule increases tactical considerations about player fitness, chemistry, and adaptability across multiple styles.
Rewards and Availability:
Gauntlets rotate every one to two weeks as part of the Live Events schedule.
Rewards scale with wins and often include exclusive packs, valuable player items, and other Ultimate Team essentials.
This mode enhances pack excitement since pulling a player that fits well into one of your multiple squads becomes strategically important, especially for those looking to buy FC 26 Coins to maximize their roster flexibility.
Community and Developer Vision:
EA’s vision is for Gauntlets to extend the longevity and engagement of clubs by encouraging diverse squad usage and reducing repetitive gameplay fatigue.
The mode caters to both competitive and casual players by allowing flexible squad-building and offering rewards aligned with progress.
FUT 26 Gauntlets are designed to deepen the Ultimate Team experience by requiring diverse player lineups, strategic squad rotation, and sustained focus across a series of escalating matches—raising the stakes and excitement of squad management and live competitive play.