FIFA 21 release time, pre-download time and all release dates for the full game explained
When you can play FIFA 21.
The FIFA 21 release time is approaching for the full game, with the EA Play early access period now over and the other special editions out in the wild.
Below you'll find details on the FIFA 21 release time and date, when you can get playing if you have the standard version of the full game, plus when we think you'll be able to download the game ahead of time.
On this page:
FIFA 21 release time and date: when is FIFA available?
Now we're done with the EA Play early access period and the Champions and Ultimate editions are out in the wild too, it's just the full FIFA 21 release date for the standard version of the game left to come. Usually, FIFA releases at around 4pm UK time on release day, but given the Champions Edition and Ultimate Edition went live at midnight UK time on their release date of the 6th, we're assuming that'll be the same deal here, with a simultaneous worldwide release.
FIFA 21 standard edition is available from Friday, 9th October at the following times:
- UK: 12:01am (BST)
- Europe: 1am (CEST)
- East Coast US: 7pm on 8th (EDT)
- West Coast US: 4pm on 8th (PDT)
For more on FIFA 21, so far we have new pages on the FIFA 21 release time and download details for all editions, best FIFA 21 goalkeepers, best FIFA 21 defenders, best FIFA 21 midfielders, best FIFA 21 wingers, best FIFA 21 strikers, a big breakdown of FIFA 21 potential wonderkids and career mode hidden gems and a list of FIFA 21 Career Mode's best players. Plus, we've pages on FUT Chemistry explained and a freshly updated FIFA 21 Chemistry styles list and affected attributes explainer, to get you started with FUT. Expect much more soon!
FIFA 21 preload and download times: when can you pre-download FIFA 21?
When you can preload FIFA 21 depends on what platform you're playing on. Here's the word direct from EA Sport's community manager:
- If you're on Origin (PC) and have EA Play or EA Play Pro, you can download and preload FIFA 21 now.
- If you're on Xbox and have EA Play or a preorder of FIFA 21, you can download and preload FIFA 21 now.
- If you're on Steam (PC) there's no official preload time for downloading the game, as that's down to Valve.
- If you're on PS4, there's likewise no official preload time for downloading the game, as that's down to Sony.
On PS4 and Steam, FIFA is usually available to download anywhere between a day and a couple of hours before it actually goes live, with the expectation being that FIFA 21 will be no different - although it should be said that for the EA Play early access period, we had to wait until the actual release time to start downloading at all.
With that in mind, we expect you to be able to preload FIFA 21 with EA Play access on Friday, 9th October from the following times at the latest, but check in ahead of time at any point up to 24 hours before, just in case:
- UK: 12:01am (BST)
- Europe: 1am (CEST)
- East Coast US: 7pm on 8th (EDT)
- West Coast US: 4pm on 8th (PDT)
