The opening days of a new Madden Ultimate Team (MUT) season are electric. There‘s nothing quite like logging into Madden 26, opening your first packs, and laying the foundation for the squad that will carry you through Solo Challenges, Weekend League, and Head-to-Head Ranked battles. But excitement can easily turn to Madden 26 coins regret if you make the wrong moves early.
The first few hours of MUT are about more than just having fun—they‘re about maximizing coins, building chemistry, and setting yourself up for months of success. Whether you‘re a casual player looking to enjoy grinding offline content or a competitive player chasing the top leaderboards, these nine steps will give you the launchpad you need to thrive in Madden 26 Ultimate Team.
1. Complete Your Welcome and Starter Objectives
Every MUT season begins with a Welcome Pack and a set of starter challenges. These are your tutorial missions, and while they may seem basic, they‘re critical for jump-starting your squad.
Not only do these objectives introduce you to new MUT features, but they also reward you with free packs, coins, and sometimes even an 83–85 OVR “core elite” player. Don‘t overlook these rewards—they can save you thousands of coins in the auction house and give you a usable starter at a key position like QB, HB, or CB.
2. Pick the Right Team Captain
Team Captains have been a staple of Ultimate Team for years, and Madden 26 continues the tradition. Choosing the right captain is essential because this player can be upgraded all season and serves as one of your lineup anchors.
If you‘re unsure which role to prioritize, think about your playstyle. Do you want a wide receiver who can stretch defenses, a lockdown corner, or a versatile running back? Go with the option that fills the biggest hole in your lineup, not just the one with the flashiest stats.
3. Grind Solo Challenges Immediately
It might not be glamorous, but Solo Challenges are the lifeblood of an early MUT grind. These challenges typically reward you with coin bundles, packs, and exclusive players that aren‘t available in the auction house.
In Madden 26, EA has leaned into giving more meaningful early rewards, so expect the first batch of challenges to include 85+ OVR players and pack bundles that can give your lineup a competitive edge. By dedicating the first few hours to solos, you‘ll secure the base of your squad without wasting coins on overpriced auction house listings.
4. Avoid Wasting Coins on Early Packs
The auction house in the first week of MUT is like Wall Street on steroids. Prices fluctuate wildly, and most players overspend on cards that will tank in value within days. Resist the temptation to splurge on packs or overpriced elites.
Instead, focus on building your coin balance through grinding, completing objectives, and sniping undervalued cards in the auction house. Patience pays off—especially when promo events like the first Legends or TOTW drop flood the market with new players and bring prices down.
5. Master the Auction House Early
If you want a steady flow of coins all season, learning the auction house is non-negotiable. The early MUT economy is fueled by impatient players who buy cards without checking trends. This creates opportunities for savvy users to flip cards for profit.
Start small—look for gold or low-elite cards that are selling under market price and resell them for a 2–5k profit. Over time, this adds up and allows you to stockpile coins for bigger upgrades. By Week 2, the players who treated the auction house as a business will have lineups that casual spenders can‘t compete with.
6. Target Speed Above All Else
Speed kills in Madden, and that won‘t change in Madden 26. Even if you have players with lower overall ratings, speed can make the difference between a touchdown and a tackle, or an interception and a completion.
Prioritize wide receivers, running backs, and cornerbacks with elite speed ratings. These players will dominate early head-to-head games, where most lineups are still developing. A 90-speed CB, even if he‘s only an 82 OVR, can lock down higher-rated receivers simply because he can keep up.
7. Complete Early Sets for Free Elites
Every MUT season launches with a collection of sets that allow you to exchange low-tier cards for higher-tier elites. While some sets aren‘t worth the cost, others are practically free upgrades for your team.
For example, trading in a batch of low-gold players might give you an 85+ OVR starter that would otherwise cost 25–30k coins on the market. Keep an eye on community guides and Reddit to see which sets are the most profitable in Madden 26‘s launch window.
8. Build a Balanced Lineup
It‘s tempting to dump all your coins into a single superstar—like a flashy WR or QB—but MUT is about balance. An 88 OVR wide receiver won‘t win you games if your offensive line is full of silvers.
Early on, aim for a solid mix: a dependable quarterback, at least one speedy wideout, a reliable halfback, and a couple of strong defenders at CB and MLB. With this foundation, you can compete in Head-to-Head while still grinding challenges and promos for future upgrades.
9. Save Training and Upgrade Tokens for the Right Players
Training Points and upgrade tokens are precious commodities at the start of MUT. Don‘t blow them all on players who will be irrelevant in a week. Instead, save your training for core elites or your Team Captain, who will remain in your lineup long-term.
By being selective, you‘ll avoid wasting resources and ensure your upgrades actually move the needle when it matters most.
Final Thoughts
The start of Madden 26 Ultimate Team is all about making smart, disciplined moves that set you up for long-term success. By focusing on early objectives, grinding solos, mastering the auction house, and prioritizing speed and balance, you‘ll position yourself ahead of the competition.
Remember: MUT isn‘t a sprint—it‘s a marathon. The players who resist the urge to overspend, who grind challenges, and who make calculated lineup upgrades will be the ones dominating Weekend League and cashing in on top-tier rewards later in the season.
Follow these nine steps, and you‘ll not only enjoy the excitement of launch week—you‘ll be laying the groundwork for Mut coins a squad that can compete with the very best all season long.
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