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Xbox Free Play Days brings FC 26, Madden 26, UFC 5 and more this weekend

Published: 17:14, 15 January 2026

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Xbox hosts Free Play Days event January 15-18, 2026, featuring EA Sports games including FC 26, Madden NFL 26, College Football 26, and NHL 26 for all Xbox members

Key Points from the Article

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members get additional access to F1 25, UFC 5, and PGA Tour during the event
Games feature newly upgraded athletes including Toni Kroos as an Icon in FC 26 and rookie Cam Skattebo in Madden 26
Players can access free games through Xbox.com or the Xbox Store's Subscriptions tab, with exclusive discounts available after the event for those who want to continue playing

Xbox hosts Free Play Days event January 15-18, 2026, featuring EA Sports games including FC 26, Madden NFL 26, College Football 26, and NHL 26 for all Xbox members

Xbox Free Play Days returns with an EA Sports Takeover from January 15–18, 2026, featuring FC 26, Madden 26, NHL 26, and more.

Xbox is opening 2026 with a Free Play Days event that’s all about sports. Xbox gamers will be able to play some of EA Sports’ largest franchises for free from January 15-18.

Players will have access to multiple EA Sports franchises to play throughout the weekend. In addition to letting players play games for free, Xbox is shining a spotlight on newly upgraded athletes across all of EA Sports.

Gamers will be able to enjoy what’s new with each game’s roster and gameplay changes before discounts for each title go live after the event exclusivley for players who want to continue playing.

Guides

How to watch Xbox Developer_Direct 2026: Date, time, streaming platforms and accessibility options

Belmin KopicJANUARY 15

EA Sports Games Available During Free Play Days

From Thursday to Sunday, the following games are available to all Xbox members as part of Free Play Days:

EA Sports FC 26
Madden NFL 26
College Football 26
NHL 26

In addition, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members can also try:

F1 25
UFC 5
PGA Tour

EA Sports FC 26 lands Toni Kroos as an Icon while Madden 26 lands rookie sensation Cam Skattebo. FC 26 also includes upgraded stars Alyssa Thompson and Ellie Carpenter giving you some of the best versions of these players we’ve ever seen.

How to Start Playing for Free

Head to each game’s page on Xbox.com, then install via the Microsoft Store while signed in with your eligible Xbox membership.

From your console, head to the Xbox Store and click the Subscriptions tab. Scroll down to find the Free Play Days collection on Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S.