Nofil KhanFuture Stars Academy is one of the best Evolutions EA has added in FC 26, because you can build a fully customised Academy player from scratch and take them all the way to a 90 OVR Club Legend. The big update now is that you can complete the full Academy journey twice, thanks to a second Future Stars Academy Contract that becomes available through the Future Stars Youth Cup objective in Week 2.
What players qualify for Future Stars Academy Evolution?
Any player aged 21 or under (born on or after January 30, 2004) and starting at a max overall rating of 84 can be used as your Academy prospect. You can also start with one of the 11 optional starter players from the Future Stars Academy Pack if you want a quick pick-and-play option.
What is the full Future Stars Academy path (all steps)?
Here’s the full 9-step Academy route from start to finish, including both PlayStyle+ picks and the 5-Star upgrade before Club Legend.
Quick checklist
- Contract
- Roles++
- First PlayStyle+
- Base PlayStyles + 4-Star Skill Moves/Weak Foot upgrade
- Debut (ATT/MID/DEF)
- First XI
- Second PlayStyle+
- 5-Star Skill Moves OR Weak Foot upgrade
- Club Legend (ATT/MID/DEF)
Step 1: Contract
Complete Future Stars Academy Contract to sign your player to the Academy, grant the Future Stars Academy rarity, and give full chemistry in position.
Step 2: Roles++
Once your player is signed, unlock Future Stars Academy Roles to gain Role++ in applicable outfield positions (EA lists: LB, RB, CB, CDM, CM, LM, LW, RM, RW, CAM, ST).
Step 3: First PlayStyle+
Apply your first PlayStyle+ using Academy PlayStyle+ Pack #1. EA lists the options as:
- Incisive Pass
- Rapid
- Quick Step
- Intercept
- Finesse Shot
- Anticipate
Step 4: Base PlayStyles + Skill Moves/Weak Foot (4-Star upgrades)
Complete the Standard Scouting Report and apply its consumables to your active Academy player. This includes base PlayStyles from EA’s Silver PlayStyle pack and upgrades that cap Skill Moves and Weak Foot at 4-Star at this stage.
Step 5: Debut (ATT/MID/DEF)
Complete Future Stars Academy Debut and choose one position-based path (DEF/MID/ATK) to upgrade your player to 86 OVR.
Step 6: First XI
Complete Future Stars Academy First XI to take your player from 86 OVR to 88 OVR through position-specific Evolutions unlocked after Debut.
Step 7: Second PlayStyle+
Apply your second PlayStyle+ using Academy PlayStyle+ Pack #2. EA lists the options as:
- Pinged Pass
- Technical
- First Touch
- Jockey
- Press Proven
- Long Ball Pass.
Step 8: 5-Star Skill Moves OR Weak Foot upgrade
Complete the Advanced Scouting Report (live from Feb 1) and apply the final upgrade choice to make either Skill Moves or Weak Foot 5-Star.
Step 9: Club Legend (ATT/MID/DEF)
Finish with Future Stars Club Legend (DEF/MID/ATK) to upgrade your player from 88 OVR to 90 OVR and complete the Academy journey.
What do Scouting Reports do (and when should you use them)?
Scouting Reports are how you earn the consumables that customize your Academy player with base PlayStyles, PlayStyle+ upgrades, and Skill Moves/Weak Foot boosts.
If you want the quick overview version (eligibility, rewards, and the basics), check out our original explainer on Future Stars Academy Evolution here.
How do you unlock the second Future Stars Academy player?
You can complete the Academy path twice, with the second opportunity arriving in Week 2 via an extra Future Stars Academy Contract Evolution rewarded through the Future Stars Youth Cup objective group. Once you have that second Contract, you repeat the exact same steps again on a new eligible player.
How should you plan your “best” upgrades?
If you don’t want to follow someone else’s PlayStyle+ picks, use FUT.GG’s Evo Lab to preview every upgrade and compare the GG Rating impact for your specific player. The Academy system is flexible by design, so the best path is the one that matches how you actually score, defend, and build attacks in your own gameplay.
Now you can do the Academy path twice and finish with two 90 OVR Club Legends, just plan your steps in Evo Lab before you lock anything in.
Which two players are you upgrading? Let us know below!