When does FIFA 23 early access begin for Ultimate Edition & EA Play?

You'll need to either pre-order the FIFA 23 Ultimate Edition or be a paying subscriber to the EA Play membership service, in order to play FIFA 23 before everyone else.

The FIFA 23 Web App is another way to try out some of the game's features early, so that's worth keeping in mind too as it has already launched ahead of even early access.

If you're keen on playing the game before your mates and getting a headstart on your FUT squad, you'll need to read on to find out all the details needed to take part in the FIFA 23 early access trial period.

When does FIFA 23 early access begin?

The FIFA 23 early access period will begin on 27th September 2022, the developers from EA have confirmed, giving eligible players a three-day head start on everyone else.

As we mentioned earlier, if you want to be among the players enjoying that early access window, you need to pre-order the FIFA 23 Ultimate Edition or subscribe to EA Play.

It's worth noting that members of the cheapest tier of EA Play will only get a 10-hour trial of FIFA 23, while subscribers to the pricier EA Play Pro level will get unlimited access to the game.

The cheaper version of EA Play, it's worth remembering, is bundled into Xbox Game Pass Ultimate at no extra cost.

Read more on FIFA:

• FIFA 23 review - EA flounders in extra time
• FIFA 23 wonderkids - the best young players
• FIFA 23 cheap players - bargains and free agents
• FIFA 23 strikers - the best ST and CF
• FIFA 23 wingers - best LW, RW, LM and RM
• FIFA 23 goalkeepers - best GK for Career Mode or FUT
• FIFA 23 midfielders - best CDM, CM and CAM
• FIFA 23 defenders - best RB, LB, CD, LWB and RWB
• FIFA 23 FUT Squad Battles rewards - when and how to get them
• FIFA 23 FUT Division Rivals rewards - the key details
• FUT Champs FIFA 23 rewards - all the info you need
• Twitch Prime Gaming FIFA 23 - when do the rewards start?
• Is FIFA 23 down? How to check EA server status
• FIFA 23 lengthy players - pace meta explained
• Madfut 23 release date - when's it coming?
• FIFA 23 World Cup mode - everything we know
• FIFA 23 Garang Kuol - is he worth buying?
• Is FIFA 23 the last FIFA game? All the details
• FIFA 23 Arsenal ratings - the full squad
• FIFA 23 OTW - Ones to Watch revealed
• FIFA 23 TOTW - latest confirmed cards
• FIFA 23 Griddy - how to do the viral dance celebration
• FIFA 23 crossplay - new feature explained
• FIFA 23 ratings - the best players revealed
• FIFA 23 Ted Lasso - all modes confirmed
• FIFA 23 soundtrack - the songs of the season
• FIFA 23 chemistry - changes explained
• FIFA 23 Man Utd ratings - this year's squad rated
• FIFA 23 price - how much does it cost?
• FIFA 23 web app - what you need to know
• FIFA 23 Heroes and Icons - all FUT World Cup cards
• EA Sports FC - what do we know about the reboot?
• FIFA soundtrack - every song from every game

What else do you get with the FIFA 23 Ultimate Edition?

The full list of perks for the FIFA 23 Ultimate Edition looks like this:

• 4,600 FIFA Points
• Three days early access
• Untradeable FUT Ones to Watch item
• Untradeable TOTW 1 Player
• Kylian Mbappé Loan Player Item
• FUT Ambassador Loan Player Pick
• Career Mode Homegrown Talent

There's lots of stuff for FIFA Ultimate Team players to enjoy, basically, as well as one little perk for Career Mode players. Of course, though, the early access is the main draw here.

FIFA 23 is released on Friday 30th September. Follow Radio Times Gaming on Twitter for all the latest insights. Or if you're looking for something to watch, see our TV Guide.

Visit our video game release schedule for all upcoming games on consoles. Swing by our hubs for more Gaming and Technology news.

The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now – subscribe now and get the next 12 issues for only £1. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast with Jane Garvey.