NHL 26 brings one of the biggest overhauls to Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT) that the series has ever seen. EA Sports has reimagined how players build squads, compete, and progress, making HUT more rewarding, more competitive, and more flexible than before.
The first big change comes in the overall structure. The main menu has been redesigned to be faster, cleaner, and more personalized. Instead of endless clicks, you’ll now have quick access to your lineups, objectives, and events, with a home screen that highlights your best players and current progress. This small change already makes HUT feel more streamlined for both new and veteran players.
One of the most exciting additions is Cup Chase. This is a brand-new offline experience where players go through an 18-game season capped off with a best-of-three playoff run. Unlike traditional leaderboards or weekly resets, Cup Chase is all about focused progression. You set your pace, play through the schedule, and unlock rewards as you chase the trophy. It’s a big win for players who want structure but prefer to stay offline.
For those who love competition, Ranked mode takes HUT to another level. This is a true ladder system with divisions to climb, from beginner levels all the way to the prestigious Ultimate Rank. Progression feels secure this year, since losing doesn’t completely knock you out of your division. Once you reach the Qualification Division, you can enter HUT Champs, the top competitive scene, where exclusive seasonal jerseys and rewards are waiting. The ranked ladder resets every season, keeping gameplay fresh and encouraging players to return.
Team-building has also seen massive improvements. NHL 26 introduces a salary cap system that forces smarter roster decisions, and new combo effects reward creativity. For example, building lineups with players from the same nation, team, or item type can unlock boosts like increased ratings, more Ability Points, or even expanded salary cap space. This change pushes players to think beyond just stacking stars and instead build smarter, synergized squads.
The HUT content system is now built around four core programs: Captains, Heroes, Icons, and Rookies. These programs roll out season by season and provide structured ways to earn and upgrade players. Alumni cards have also been given their own dedicated category, so they maintain long-term value and avoid being overshadowed by newer content drops.
Early access players will also see the debut of the Fresh Ice event. This launch program includes special objectives, Moments challenges, and reward tracks designed to kick-start your HUT journey. Deluxe Edition owners even get a Fresh Ice player item right away, giving them an edge before the worldwide release.
Another highlight is the introduction of Chel Weeks. This is a new live content cycle that runs across five days, with each day offering different themes and activities. Players can complete daily objectives, build special cards, participate in collections, vote on community favorites, and chase Spotlight players. The first Chel Weeks theme is “Cult Superstars,” celebrating fan-favorite players who may not always get the spotlight in traditional content drops.
All of these additions Cup Chase, Ranked mode, combo effects, core programs, Fresh Ice, and Chel Weeks are tied together by the new XP Path. No matter what mode you’re playing inside HUT, your progression feeds into a single unified system. This means your time always feels valuable, whether you’re grinding offline, competing online, or chasing live-event rewards.
Hockey Ultimate Team in NHL 26 is more than just a card-collecting mode; it’s now a full ecosystem. From casual offline players to hardcore competitors, there’s something for everyone. The combination of deeper roster building, structured seasonal play, and constantly evolving live events ensures that HUT will stay fresh all year long. NHL 26 is shaping HUT into its most complete version yet, and hockey fans are in for a huge season.
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