Atti Abderrahim
Table of Contents
EA Sports FC 25 has officially kicked off its first major in-game event Road to the Knockouts (RTTK). As a staple of the football video game franchise, RTTK offers players the opportunity to earn limited-time cards that evolve based on real-world performances. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the event, including how it works, which players are featured, and how to unlock free RTTK cards.
What Is Road to the Knockouts in FC 25?
Road to the Knockouts is an annual event in EA Sports FC games that coincides with the group stages of major European competitions like the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and the UEFA Conference League. The event rewards players with special cards representing footballers from teams competing in these tournaments. These cards evolve throughout the competition based on specific real-life criteria.
Duration of the Road to the Knockouts Event
One of the most common questions about any EA Sports FC event is: how long will it last? Typically, most events in FC 25 run from Friday at 7 PM until the following Friday at 6:59 PM. However, the RTTK event is a little different.
This time, the event spans over two weeks, with each week featuring a different set of player cards. If you’re interested in obtaining any of the RTTK cards from Week 1, you’ll need to act before Friday, October 4th at 6:59 PM. After this date, you’ll only be able to acquire these cards through the transfer market.
How to Obtain R T T K Cards
Unfortunately, there’s no guaranteed way to pull RTTK cards. Players must open packs in hopes of finding one of these limited-edition cards. Pack luck plays a significant role, and obtaining RTTK cards can often feel like a gamble. However, after the event, these cards will become available on the transfer market, allowing players to buy and sell them.
How RTTK Cards Evolve
A key feature of R T T K cards is that they evolve based on their team’s performance in real-life European matches. EA Sports has set up several conditions under which these cards can receive upgrades. Here’s how the R T T K card evolution works in FC 25:
- Three wins in the group stage: The player’s card receives a +1 overall rating.
- The team scores in four different matches: The card earns a +1 overall rating and one upgraded PlayStyle+.
- The team finishes in the top two of their group: The card earns a gold PlayStyle+ and another upgraded PlayStyle+.
These upgrades make RTTK cards incredibly valuable and versatile, allowing players to boost their Ultimate Team lineups with evolving, top-tier players.
Featured Players in RTTK Week 1
For Week 1, EA Sports FC 25 has unveiled a robust selection of players from various European competitions. While the UEFA Champions League dominates the list, other tournaments like the Europa League and Conference League are represented as well. Below is the full list of players available during Week 1 of the R T T K event:
- Jérémy Doku – Manchester City
- Ollie Watkins – Aston Villa
- Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid
- Ángel Correa – Atlético Madrid
- Donny van de Beek – Girona
- Jeremie Frimpong – Bayer Leverkusen
- Benjamin Sesko – RB Leipzig
- Federico Dimarco – Inter Milan
- Stefan Posch – Bologna
- Noa Lang – PSV Eindhoven
- Cristian Romero – Tottenham Hotspur
- Robin Koch – Eintracht Frankfurt
- Rayan Cherki – Olympique Lyonnais
- Stephen Eustáquio – FC Porto
- André Gomes – LOSC Lille
- Moise Kean – Fiorentina
- Kadidiatou Diani – Olympique Lyonnais F
- Clàudia Pina – FC Barcelona F
- Guro Reiten – Chelsea F
Each of these players offers unique upgrades that can drastically improve your Ultimate Team.
Unlocking Free RTTK Cards: SBCs and Objectives
Not all RTTK cards require you to rely on luck. EA Sports FC 25 offers several ways to earn free RTTK cards through Squad Building Challenges (SBCs) and in-game objectives.
Throughout the two-week event, players can complete various SBCs, which typically require you to trade in players or coins. SBCs are a great option for those who might not want to spend too much real money on packs or rely on RNG (random number generation) to acquire RTTK cards.
In addition to SBCs, each week of RTTK comes with an entirely free player card obtainable through completing specific in-game challenges. For Week 1, the free player is Nicolás Otamendi (RTTK). To unlock his card, players need to complete the following objectives:
- Provide 5 assists during any mode.
- Score 10 goals with an Argentinian player.
- Concede 1 goal or fewer in 4 separate matches.
- Win 10 matches with at least three Argentinian players in your starting lineup.
Completing these objectives can be done in modes like Squad Battles (Clash d’équipes) to speed up the process.
What About Leaked RTTK Players?
You may have seen rumors online about players expected to feature in the RTTK event, but who aren’t included in Week 1. The explanation is simple: they will likely appear in Week 2. If a player isn’t part of the first batch, keep an eye out for the upcoming release on Friday of Week 2.
Alternatively, some players may only be available as free cards or through SBCs. Stay tuned for updates throughout the event to avoid missing out on any key players for your Ultimate Team.
Conclusion: Maximize Your RTTK Experience
The Road to the Knockouts event in EA Sports FC 25 offers a fantastic opportunity to earn dynamic, evolving cards that will improve throughout the European competitions. With plenty of top-tier players available in Week 1 and Week 2, the event is packed with rewards for Ultimate Team enthusiasts.
Whether you’re trying your luck with packs, working the transfer market, or grinding through SBCs and objectives, the RTTK event ensures there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss out on grabbing these powerful cards and stay up-to-date on which players receive performance-based upgrades to help shape your winning squad!
