EA Sports just dropped one of the most valuable Squad Building Challenges in EA FC26 Ultimate Team, and savvy players are rushing to complete it. The Max 88 Base Hero Upgrade SBC offers incredible value, giving you access to legendary players without breaking the bank. Here’s everything you need to know to maximize your investment.

Why This SBC is Worth Your Coins
Unlike previous Hero upgrade packs, this challenge includes 88-rated Hero items, dramatically expanding your potential rewards. For approximately 110,000 coins, you’re getting a shot at some of Ultimate Team’s most elite legends—players who would normally cost significantly more on the transfer market.
The official EA Sports FC website has confirmed this as one of the best value propositions this season, building on the success of the popular Max 86 and Max 87 variants.
Complete SBC Requirements
| Task | Requirements | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Task 1 | 85-rated squad | ~45,000 coins |
| Task 2 | 86-rated squad + 1 TOTW player | ~65,000 coins |
| Total | 2 squads | ~110,000 coins |
Task 1: 85-Rated Squad Solutions
Building the foundation squad is straightforward. Here’s the most cost-effective lineup:
Cheapest Solution:
- Alexandra Popp (85)
- Caitlin Foord (85)
- Cristiana Girelli (85)
- Granit Xhaka (85)
- Manuela Giugliano (85)
- Svenja Huth (85)
- Vivianne Miedema (85)
- Kim Little (85)
- Caroline Weir (85)
- Damaris Egurrola (84)
- Manuel Locatelli (84)
Pro Tip: Women’s football players often offer better value for rating requirements. Check your club first—you might already have untradeable fodder that reduces your actual cost significantly.

Task 2: 86-Rated Squad Solutions
This segment requires one Team of the Week (TOTW) player, adding a slight premium to the build.
Budget-Friendly Solution:
- Marie Katoto (88)
- Irene Paredes (88)
- Ada Hegerberg (87)
- Millie Bright (87)
- Ruben Neves (84)
- Frida Maanum (84)
- Isco (84)
- Sergej Milinković-Savić (84)
- Bia Zaneratto – TOTW (84)
- Pedro Gonçalves (83)
- Santiago Giménez (83)
TOTW Selection: Bia Zaneratto represents the most affordable TOTW option at 84 rating, perfectly satisfying the requirement without overspending.
Potential Rewards Worth The Grind
Landing any of these Heroes would deliver exceptional return on investment:
88-Rated Legends: Eden Hazard, Diego Forlán, Wesley Sneijder, Jay-Jay Okocha, Vincent Kompany, Ricardo Carvalho, Carlos Tévez, Antonio Di Natale
87-Rated Stars: Yaya Touré, Claudio Marchisio, Jaap Stam, Marek Hamšík
86-Rated Options: Ramires, Blaise Matuidi
Each player excels in their position under the FC IQ system, offering meta-relevant stats and unique playing styles that enhance squad chemistry and performance.
Should You Complete This SBC?
Absolutely yes if you:
- Have untradeable fodder collecting dust
- Need a high-rated Hero for your squad
- Enjoy the thrill of pack luck
Consider waiting if you:
- Have fewer than 110,000 coins
- Already have a stacked Hero collection
For more squad building strategies and Ultimate Team guides, visit TechnoSports, where we break down the latest SBCs and trading tips.
Stay ahead of the meta with daily FC 26 content at TechnoSports.
FAQs
Q: How long is the Max 88 Base Hero Upgrade SBC available?
A: EA Sports hasn’t announced an official expiration date yet, but most Hero upgrade SBCs run for 7-14 days. Complete it soon to avoid missing out—check the EA FC 26 live calendar for exact timings.
Q: Can I pack duplicate untradeable Heroes from this SBC?
A: Yes, duplicate Heroes are possible. However, with over 15 different Hero items available in the reward pool ranging from 86-88 rating, duplicate chances are relatively low. Any duplicate can still be used as high-rated SBC fodder.


