Electronic Arts provides several no-cost opportunities for players of FIFA 18 to acquire digital items, in-game currency, and content updates. These offerings are primarily distributed through the FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) web application and a significant platform update. Additionally, external brands have offered promotional items related to football events, though these are distinct from EA’s direct in-game programs.
The primary source of free digital content for FIFA 18 is the official FUT web application. Available free of charge to all players on PS4, Xbox One, and PC, the app allows users to manage their clubs, participate in Squad Building Challenges (SBCs), and claim daily rewards. While the app lacks certain features of the console version, such as actual match play and leaderboard viewing, it provides full access to the market, club management, and the SBC hub.
One of the most consistent methods for acquiring free items is the daily sign-in bonus. By logging into the web app daily, users are treated to complimentary rewards. These rewards vary and have included mixed contract packs, bronze packs, and in-game currency. For example, users have reported receiving 1,000 coins as a daily login reward. These freebies are distributed periodically, with increased frequency or value often noted during major holidays or seasonal events, such as the lead-up to Christmas or the Team Of The Year promotion.
Beyond daily logins, users can earn rewards by completing Daily and Weekly Objectives. Many of these objectives can be completed directly within the web app without playing matches on the console. Examples of app-completable objectives include purchasing a player, applying a fitness consumable, or extending a player's contract. Completing these tasks yields rewards such as silver gift packs.
Squad Building Challenges (SBCs) offer another avenue for value, though not strictly "free" as they require submitting squads of specific players. The web app provides a dedicated hub for SBCs, allowing users to view active challenges and submit squads. While the interface is slightly more cumbersome than the console version, it enables users to track targets and manage resources efficiently. The app facilitates finding the lowest cost players for specific requirements through its "Compare Price" feature.
Regarding game content updates, EA released a significant free update for FIFA 18 on May 29. This update added a World Cup mode to the game across all platforms (PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One). Instead of releasing a standalone retail game for the 2018 World Cup, EA incorporated the content as a complimentary add-on. The update included the full rosters of the 32 qualified countries, the 12 Russian stadiums used in the tournament, official kits, tournament balls, and new celebration cinematics.
While the in-game freebies are digital, external promotions occasionally offer physical merchandise. For instance, during the football preseason, various restaurants and venues offered draft party packages that included physical items. Hooters provided free draft kits containing over $200 in merchandise and discounts to league registrants. Tilted Kilt offered draft kits featuring Bud Light swag, commissioner cards, and VIP cards to the first 50 draft parties. However, these promotions were specific to fantasy football draft events and not directly tied to FIFA 18 gameplay.
It is important to distinguish these digital game freebies from physical product samples or mail-in programs. The provided data does not indicate any opportunities for free physical samples of beauty, baby care, pet food, health, food, or household goods related to FIFA 18. The sources focus exclusively on digital content within the game ecosystem or broad seasonal marketing events unrelated to specific game codes or unlocks.
Conclusion
The primary method for obtaining free content in FIFA 18 involves utilizing the official FUT web application. Consistent daily use allows players to accumulate in-game currency, card packs, and consumables through login bonuses and objective completions. Additionally, the free World Cup update released in May 2018 provided substantial new content without an additional purchase. While external brands have offered physical merchandise during the football season, these are separate from the game's internal reward system.