When does FIFA 22 early access start? EA Play start time & 20 hours free trial guide

David Purcell
FIFA 22 ea play

FIFA 22 is around the corner, and many players are dying to get their hands on the game as early as possible. The good news is that you can do that through the early access program on EA Play.

As we draw closer to FIFA 22’s release on October 1, the hype is building by the minute. Players can’t wait to ditch the previous iteration in favor of the new one and check out all the new content and features.

Fortunately, there’s a way you can play the game a week before the official release using EA Play early access. It’s also a perfect time to check out the likes of the Web App and Companion App, too.

Here’s everything you need to know, including when it goes live and what you need to do.

It’s time to get excited for FIFA 22.

How FIFA 22 early access works

Normally, EA offers select players 10 hours of early access to all their titles through EA Play. However, they’ve decided to double that amount specifically for FIFA 22, meaning players will be able to play it for up to 20 hours.

Not only will that give you more than enough time to familiarize yourself with the game and check out its new features, but it also means you can help the developers iron out any remaining gameplay flaws before it goes live.

How to play FIFA 22 early

ea play membership
EA Play membership grants players early access to new games.

All you have to do to get early access to FIFA 22 is sign up to EA Play. The subscription service allows you to pre-download the game before anyone else and get a few hours in.

If you want to sign up for EA Play, it will cost you $4.99 USD a month, or $29.99 USD for the year. You will also be able to save 10% on pre-ordering FIFA 21 with your EA Play membership.

To play FIFA 22 early, players will have to follow these steps:

  1. Sign up for an EA Play subscription.
  2. Pre-load FIFA 22.
  3. Load up FIFA 22 when EA Play early access starts up.
  4. Play through your trial.

When does FIFA 22 early access start?

FIFA 22 early access starts today, on Wednesday, September 22, which is a little more than a week before its official release.

You’ll be able to download the early access client and play your 20 hours starting then. If you finish your 20 hours before the launch, you’ll have to wait until launch to keep playing. To play past then, you’d have to have pre-ordered or purchased the full game.

How to pre-load FIFA 22

FIFA 22 with mbappe
Players will be looking forward to pre-loading the new FIFA 22 game.

Xbox Series X|S

  1. Turn on the Xbox Series X|S console.
  2. Press the Xbox button on the controller.
  3. Select “My Games and Apps.”
  4. Click your library and then select “All purchased games”.
  5. Download FIFA 22 for Xbox Series X|S.

PS5

  1. Turn on the PS5 console.
  2. Head over the the “Games Home” menu.
  3. Select your pre-order of FIFA 22.
  4. Wait for the countdown to expire and pre-load the game from there.