When it comes to building a strong team in FC 26 Ultimate Team, Squad Building Challenges (SBCs) offer some of the best rewards—ranging from rare packs and players to special event cards. However, if you’re not careful, SBCs can quickly drain your FC 26 Coins and leave you with little return. In this guide, we’ll go over smart strategies for using your coins effectively while completing SBCs.
1. Prioritize Value SBCs Over Flashy Ones
Not all SBCs are created equal. Some offer high-rated untradeable players or packs with poor odds. Others provide excellent value for a relatively low cost.
Before jumping into an SBC, ask yourself:
- Is the reward card meta-relevant for your squad?
- Is the pack tradeable or untradeable?
- Are there cheaper alternatives for that position?
Websites like FUTBIN often show the live cost of SBCs and user comments about whether they’re worth completing.
2. Use First-Owner and Untradeable Players First
Before spending a single coin, look through your club for first-owner and untradeable cards. These are the best SBC fodder because you can’t sell them anyway.
Use the “Lowest Quick Sell Value” filter to sort by players you’re unlikely to use in-game and try to build SBC solutions around them.
This not only saves coins but also clears out club clutter.
3. Avoid Overpaying During Peak Hours
Player prices fluctuate throughout the day. Demand spikes right after new SBCs drop, which means prices on common SBC fodder (like 83–86 rated players) rise fast.
If you want to buy players, wait a few hours after release or pick them up during less busy periods (early mornings or late nights).
Patience here can save you thousands of coins per SBC.
4. Leverage Loyalty and Position Changes Wisely
Some SBCs require high chemistry, which makes loyalty bonuses and position modifiers crucial. Instead of buying players in their natural positions every time, consider:
- Using position change consumables you already own.
- Running 10 offline matches with a team to earn loyalty (for high-value SBCs).
These small tricks can save you from buying overpriced cards that only fit due to their chemistry links.
5. Complete Upgrade SBCs During Promos for High-Value Rewards
During special events like TOTW, TOTY, or FUT Birthday, Upgrade SBCs (e.g., Gold Upgrade, 81+ Double, 83×10) become excellent value.
While they may require some investment, the odds of packing a top-tier card increase significantly during promos. If you’ve got coin reserves and plenty of gold cards, this is often the best time to do mass submissions.
6. Don’t Fall Into the FOMO Trap
Flash SBCs or limited-time challenges with mediocre rewards often tempt players to act fast. Ask yourself:
“Would I actually use the reward? Or am I doing this just because it’s expiring soon?”
If the answer is the latter, hold your coins. Save for something you actually want—like a player who fits your squad long-term.
7. Track Your SBC ROI (Return on Investment)
If you regularly do SBCs, keep a simple spreadsheet or notes on what you spent vs. what you received. Over time, this helps identify which types of SBCs give the best bang for your coins.
For example:
- Did you pull anything usable or valuable from an 84+ x5 pack?
- How much did you pay to complete that Player SBC, and was he better than your current starter?
8. Invest in SBC Fodder Before Big Promos Drop
Anticipate upcoming events like TOTY, TOTS, or FUT Birthday—player prices often skyrocket when popular SBCs go live. Buy 83–86 rated players in advance when prices are low, then use them for your own SBCs or sell for profit later.
9. Use SBC Solution Sites Carefully
Sites like FUTBIN and FUTWIZ offer great squad solutions, but many users copy the top-voted squads, driving up player prices. Scroll down for alternative, less-used squads, or build your own to save coins.
10. Always Compare Tradeable vs. Untradeable Rewards
Some SBCs offer a choice between tradeable and untradeable packs. If you’re low on coins, go with tradeable—you might pull a card you can sell. If you’re hunting specific upgrades, untradeable might give you more packs to open.
11. Watch for Daily SBC Value Packs
Occasionally, EA drops limited-time SBCs that cost little and offer surprisingly good packs (e.g., Premium Gold Players Pack for ~5K coins). These are rare, so keep an eye on the “Live” tab and complete them quickly when they appear.
12. Recycle Duplicates Through Upgrade SBCs
Don’t quick-sell duplicate untradeable cards—recycle them into Upgrade SBCs or Daily Challenge SBCs. This lets you squeeze more value out of every pack and keeps your coin balance intact.
13. Track SBC Completion Objectives in Season Progress
Many seasonal objectives require SBC completions to unlock XP, players, or packs. Before doing random SBCs, check your season goals to align your spending with rewards you’re already working toward.
14. Don’t Build for Chemistry Unless It’s Required
Some SBCs don’t require chemistry, yet players still buy linked cards out of habit. Always read the SBC requirements carefully—if chemistry isn’t a factor, just use your cheapest rated cards, regardless of league or nation.
