UFL, the free-to-play football game released at the tail end of 2024, is receiving a major overhaul today, September 12, with updates driven by player feedback. Released solely on consoles, UFL has amassed a passionate player base despite facing stern competition from the likes of eFootball and EA Sports FC.
Its first year was quite the rollercoaster, resulting in plenty of learnings that are now being brought to life in a significant update, deemed as a “brand new game” by Strikerz Inc. CEO Eugene Nashilov in an online media call. Here’s a look at all the exciting changes UFL players can look forward to.
How UFL Is Reshaping Its Core Meta
UFL’s first year in operation saw Strikerz rework the meta not once, but twice. Besides gameplay tweaks, these reworks addressed the progression system at the heart of the experience. The game initially featured a Skin system, which altered the visual presentation and stats of player cards, but these could only be acquired using Credit Points (CP) or League Points (LP).
Not only was this system overly complicated for an audience conditioned to EA FC’s promo card format, but it also induced a frankly tiring grind.
Strikerz Inc. is now streamlining team-building with a simpler Player Card system, made up of three tiers: Basic, Enhanced, and Legend.
Basic Cards, as the name suggests, are the core foundation of your side. They can still pack high ratings and be acquired from different sources, but they won’t have additional features such as Skills or the new Link-Up mechanic. Enhanced Cards sit a tier above and come in three different Mastery levels. These items are tied to packs, meaning they will be harder to obtain. However, the grind is worth the effort since they’re compatible with the Link-Up system and can also offer bonus skills.
Then we’ve got the most valuable items in the game that will perk up the ears of every dedicated collector. Aptly named Legends, these cards are themed around football icons and will only be available via special Team Pass packs and rewards from in-game activities. The devs plan on adding a new Legend to the game every month, starting with an Italian icon whose identity is still under wraps.
These cards can be slotted in sync with UFL’s new Link Up system. The mechanic appears to be modeled after FIFA’s classic Chemistry system, meaning players can be linked together if they share the same Play Style, Nationality, or League. Boosting your team’s chemistry can directly improve their performance on the field, adding a strategic element to your starting XI.
Along with these changes, Strikerz is accelerating on the new content front. The player ratings will now be updated in accordance with their real-life performances, injecting a bit of jeopardy into team-building. Furthermore, the game will welcome a range of special events that will introduce new items to UFL, giving fans plenty of reasons to revisit.
One of these events will be themed around Halloween, and since EA isn’t bringing FUT Ultimate Scream back, I’m glad to see Strikerz taking the initiative. UFL is even collaborating with Adidas on a special Team Pass that will bring retro kits to the game, which is possibly the best kind of vanity items a football fan could ask for.
Gameplay Has Evolved Across the Board
UFL didn’t get off to a painless start on the gameplay front, but the devs were quick to address early issues and iron out many inconsistencies. Some issues remained, however, with players complaining about overpowered mechanics and unreliable passing throughout the year.
Strikerz are keen on stamping out these problems, and they’re going about the job comprehensively. The Season 24/25 update will revamp the game’s locomotion by updating the game’s animation database, resulting in a smoother experience. These animation updates affect all facets of the on-pitch action, including dribbling, tackling, and most importantly, passing.
During an informative online session, Strikerz Inc. CEO Eugene Nashilov shared a quirky anecdote that might sound all too familiar to fans. He mentioned how world-class players such as Luka Modric and Jude Bellingham could occasionally misplace five-yard passes in the game, which isn’t just frustrating but can also be immersion-breaking for some players.
A brand-new passing system tackles precisely this issue. The objective is to make passes more responsive and accurate, which should result in players feeling more in control than ever.
UFL’s visuals are also receiving a facelift, thanks to updated lighting and turf models. The devs plan on introducing other graphical improvements in future updates, which is always great to hear.
New Faces Lead UFL Into the New Season
All of the tweaks we’ve discussed so far display UFL’s commitment to giving players a fresh experience. From the squad-building to the UI, the devs have made transformative changes in so many areas that it truly feels like a new game. And to cap off this overhaul, Strikerz have brought on board two superstars to grace the front cover.
Following the update, you’ll be greeted by Barcelona’s Raphinha and Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde on UFL’s start-up screen. You can also find them high in rankings on the EA FC 26 ratings list. Their domestic allegiances might lie on opposite ends, but both superstars have bridged the gap and joined the game’s list of ambassadors. The pair is a perfect representation of UFL’s global nature, as its player base is spread across a diverse range of countries, including the United States, Brazil, France, Saudi Arabia, and more.
Aside from details on the new update, we now have confirmation that UFL’s PC port is set to arrive in November or December 2025. We will likely hear a concrete release date in the coming weeks, so PC players won’t have to wait on the sidelines much longer.
If you’re interested in testing out the changes for yourself, be sure to jump into UFL on September 12.
