Destined for Glory is the first major promo to hit EA Sports FC 27 Ultimate Team, and it's already shaping up to be one worth grinding. The cards are live items, meaning they grow with real-world performances across the season, and the player pool was shaped by fan votes. That combination makes this promo more interesting than a standard pack drop.
When does Destined for Glory Team 1 start in EA FC 27?
Destined for Glory Team 1 goes live on September 25 at 6 PM BST. If you're playing through early access (which opens September 18), you can start tracking card progress from that date, even though the promo cards themselves won't be available until the 25th. EA has confirmed this runs as a two-week promo, with Team 2 expected to drop on October 2.
Each week of Destined for Glory features around 15 cards, so the total roster is more focused than promos from previous years that ballooned into the 30s and 40s. That keeps the card pool tighter and, in theory, makes the best items more meaningful.
Every confirmed Destined for Glory Team 1 player
EA has revealed the first five players for Team 1. All five are attackers and midfielders, and the ratings land between 85 and 91. Here's the current confirmed lineup:
More players are expected to leak before September 25. The full Team 1 roster should land at 15 cards, so there's still plenty of the lineup to be confirmed.
How do Destined for Glory upgrades work?
Every Destined for Glory card is a live item with four possible upgrades. The upgrade path differs depending on the player's position, splitting into two tracks: one for midfielders and attackers, and one for defensive midfielders and defenders.
Midfielder and attacker upgrade path
These cards track combined goals and assists across the domestic season:
Defensive midfielder and defender upgrade path
Defensive cards track clean sheets instead:
The four-upgrade structure means a card that starts at 85 could realistically climb two overall ratings by the end of the season if the player performs. For attackers like Mbuemo or Mateus Fernandes, that ceiling is genuinely worth watching.
What makes Destined for Glory different from standard promos?
The fan-vote element sets this promo apart from the usual curated team announcements. Players selected for Destined for Glory were chosen based on community expectations for the upcoming season, which means the cards reflect real-world anticipation rather than past performance alone. That gives the promo a forward-looking feel that's rare at launch.
The fact that upgrades run for the entire year is the other key detail. These aren't limited-window items that become irrelevant after a month. If Aleksander Isak keeps scoring for Liverpool all season, his card keeps climbing. That longevity makes early investment more defensible than it would be for a standard promo card.
For more context on what else is available at launch, the Squad Foundation players and how to unlock them are worth checking alongside this promo. There are also Ones to Watch cards available through the Season Pass and Objectives during the early weeks, so Destined for Glory isn't the only upgrade path worth pursuing.
Should you chase Destined for Glory cards?
The honest answer depends on which player you're targeting. Mbappe at 91 is the headline card and will almost certainly be expensive regardless of how you acquire him. His upgrade path to 93 (if he hits 20 combined goals and assists for Real Madrid) is realistic given his output in recent seasons.
Morgan Rogers and Mateus Fernandes are the more accessible options at 87 and 85 respectively, and both play for clubs that should generate consistent domestic stats. If either player has a strong autumn, those cards could become genuinely competitive at a fraction of the cost of the top-rated options.
For everything else launching alongside this promo and beyond, the full EA Sports FC 27 strategy guides cover the rest of what you need to build a competitive squad from day one.