Holographic cards are a new, rarer version of special Player Items in EA FC 27 Ultimate Team: the same player with the same in-match attributes, but with an animated foil design and a higher Item Score. They come in two types, Regular Holographic for items rated 87 OVR and below and Pristine Holographic for 88 OVR and above, and they have been able to drop in packs since Team of the Week 1.
Below we explain exactly which items can be holographic, where you can find them, the one thing they do not change, and why collectors and SBC grinders care about them anyway. Everything is verified against EA’s official FUT Deep Dive and Launch Update Pitch Notes for EA SPORTS FC 27.
What a Holographic Item Is
Per EA, a Holographic Item is “a rarer version of special Items.” When an eligible special item is in a pack’s pool, a Holographic version of that same item may also be available. It carries premium presentation details and unique visuals so it stands out from the standard card.
There are two types:
- Regular Holographic: the standard animated foil effect.
- Pristine Holographic: an even more premium look, including the player’s name in a stylised font.
Each eligible Player Item only ever has one Holographic version, either Regular or Pristine, never both. EA’s launch notes set the split by rating:
| Item OVR | Holographic type |
|---|---|
| 87 and below | Regular Holographic |
| 88 and above | Pristine Holographic |
Whether Holographic Cards Play Better
No. EA is explicit that “the player and their in-match Attributes remain the same.” A Holographic Mbappe plays exactly like the standard version of the same item. What makes a Holographic special is rarity and presentation, plus the scoring bonus covered below. If you only care about results on the pitch, the standard version of the item does the same job.
Which Items Can Be Holographic
Starting from Team of the Week 1, EA says eligible Campaign, TOTW, Hero, ICON and other special Player Items in the FUT pack pool can also appear as Holographics. Base Bronze, Silver and Gold items are not part of it; in fact, EA scrapped the old Common and Rare labels for base cards this year partly to keep the new Holographic tier distinct. Base items are now simply Bronze, Silver or Gold.
Where to Find Holographic Cards
- Store Packs and Reward Packs: eligible Holographics can appear in both.
- The Transfer Market: EA names it as another way to find specific Holographic items, which also makes them one of the more interesting trading targets of the season.
- Gallery rewards: EA says Gallery Level milestones can offer chances at Holographic items, and the Gallery Token Store will add “Holographic rewards” over the season.
One exclusion matters for pack openers: packs or Player Picks that guarantee a fixed group of specific Player Items will not include Holographic versions. If a pick shows you exactly which players you might get, none of them will be holo.
Why Holographics Matter: Item Score
Every Player Item in FC 27 has an Item Score based on its OVR, rarity and Holographic status, and EA uses that single score in two places: Streamlined SBCs and the FUT Gallery. Each OVR has a base score, and rarity and Holographic bonuses stack on top. EA’s example: a Holographic TOTW item gets both its TOTW rarity bonus and its Holographic bonus.
That has two practical effects:
- Streamlined SBCs: a Holographic item contributes more toward an SBC’s target score than the standard version. Our SBC system guide explains how targets and partial submissions work.
- Gallery Sets: because Holographics are rarer, EA says they “contribute more to your Set’s overall score,” which raises Set grades and Gallery Tokens. See our FUT Gallery guide for how grades turn into rewards.
EA has said it will keep monitoring Item Scores and give “significant advance notice” before changing them.
Keeping or Selling a Holographic
That depends on why you play. Because the in-match card is identical, a Holographic’s value comes from three places: Gallery grading, SBC score, and what other players will pay on the Transfer Market. If you are building Gallery Sets, keep it; once recorded, an item stays in your Gallery history even after you sell or submit it, so a Holographic you pack and then sell can still count toward future Sets. If you need Coins for squad upgrades, a Holographic of a popular player is worth checking against the standard card’s price before you list it. For the cards worth chasing in the first place, see our highest rated players list and the EA FC 27 hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Holographic and Pristine Holographic in FC 27? Regular Holographic has the standard animated foil. Pristine adds a more premium design with a stylised name and applies to items rated 88 OVR and above.
Are Holographic cards better in-game? No. EA confirms their in-match attributes are identical to the standard version of the same item.
Can base Gold cards be Holographic? No. Only eligible special items, such as Campaign, TOTW, Hero and ICON items, can appear as Holographics.
Can you buy Holographic cards on the Transfer Market? Yes. EA names the Transfer Market as a way to find specific Holographic items.
Why is my Player Pick never Holographic? Packs and Player Picks that guarantee a fixed group of specific players do not include Holographic versions, per EA’s launch notes.