As Madden 25 draws to a close and the spotlight begins to shift toward Madden 26, EA Sports is keeping fans engaged with one of the most intriguing programs we‘ve seen in recent memory—the Rising Stars program, powered by a new and innovative collectible currency: Star Power tokens. Unlike traditional training points, coins, or program-specific collectibles, Star Power tokens add a new layer of strategy to Madden Ultimate Team (MUT), offering players a choice between immediate roster upgrades and EA FC 25 Coins long-term profit opportunities.
With Madden 26 on the horizon, the introduction of these tokens feels less like a simple late-season gimmick and more like a preview of the kinds of systems EA may expand upon in the next cycle. Let‘s dive deep into what Star Power tokens are, how they work, and why they‘re quickly becoming one of the smartest ways to maximize value in Ultimate Team.
What Are Star Power Tokens?
Star Power tokens are collectible items introduced within the Rising Stars program, which spotlights young NFL players whose breakout potential makes them fan favorites in MUT. Instead of being used as direct currency to purchase packs or rerolls, Star Power tokens act as a progression-based resource. Players can collect them through challenges, objectives, and limited-time events, then redeem them in sets for powerful rewards.
The headline prize? A free 99 OVR Rising Stars player—a reward that would normally cost hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of MUT coins to secure from the auction house.
But the tokens aren‘t limited to just building stars. They also serve as a tradeable asset within sets that can yield coin packs, training boosts, or auctionable Rising Stars players. This dual-use design is what makes Star Power tokens stand out from previous program currencies.
Earning Star Power Tokens
EA has made sure that Star Power tokens aren‘t locked exclusively behind paywalls. They can be earned through a variety of activities, including:
Solo Challenges – Daily and weekly Rising Stars solos reward tokens upon completion, encouraging consistent play.
Field Pass Progression – Grinding season objectives and program-specific goals can net extra tokens.
House Rules – Special Rising Stars House Rules events reward Star Power tokens for hitting win milestones.
Limited-Time Events – Weekend challenges and promos occasionally drop bonus tokens, rewarding players who stay active.
This spread ensures that both casual grinders and hardcore MUT veterans have a fair shot at stockpiling tokens, even late in the season.
Redeeming Tokens: Free 99 OVRs vs. Auction House Profit
The real genius of Star Power tokens is that they give MUT players a choice in how to use them.
Free 99 OVR Rising Stars Player
Collecting enough tokens unlocks a set where you can pick a non-auctionable 99 OVR Rising Stars player. For no-spend players and budget squads, this is the most straightforward value play—landing a top-tier card without dropping coins or cash. It‘s essentially a “grind-to-win” pathway that guarantees roster improvement.
Auctionable Rising Stars Players
Instead of redeeming for the free NAT (non-auctionable/tradeable) option, you can also exchange Star Power tokens in sets that yield auctionable Rising Stars players. This route allows savvy traders to flip cards on the auction house, often fetching six-figure profits depending on supply and demand. For players with already stacked rosters, this becomes an investment play rather than a roster-building necessity.
Secondary Rewards
Tokens can also be traded into smaller sets for Training, coin quick sells, or lower-tier Rising Stars players. While not as flashy, these options offer flexibility and ensure no tokens ever feel wasted.
The Strategy Behind Star Power Tokens
What makes this system so compelling is how it forces MUT players to weigh short-term gains versus long-term planning. Do you take the guaranteed 99 OVR to bolster your lineup immediately, or do you gamble on the auction house market for a bigger payout?
For competitive players: The free 99 OVR is the obvious move, ensuring your roster keeps up with the late-season power curve.
For traders and flippers: The auctionable sets might yield better returns, especially if you can anticipate which Rising Stars will generate the most hype. For example, if a young QB or WR with real-life fan appeal gets a Rising Stars card, demand (and prices) will spike.
For grinders: Even casual players who don‘t want to spend real money can realistically collect enough tokens to walk away with elite rewards, making this one of the most no-spend-friendly programs of Madden 25.
Market Impact and MUT Economy
Whenever EA introduces a new type of currency, the ripple effects hit the auction house economy. With Star Power tokens, the market has seen a surge in:
Rising Stars player prices – Especially those tied to token sets, which spike in value as demand outpaces supply.
Training point fluctuations – Since some token sets yield Training rewards, this has indirectly stabilized Training prices late in the season.
Coin inflation control – By giving players a grindable path to top-tier cards, EA subtly reduces the coin hoarding problem that typically plagues MUT late in the year.
In many ways, Star Power tokens have served as both a player-friendly progression tool and a market stabilizer.
What This Means for Madden 26
It‘s no accident that EA chose to roll out Star Power tokens so close to the Madden 26 hype cycle. This feels like a test bed for a broader MUT feature—a way to blend grindable progression with auctionable flexibility.
If the system carries forward into Madden 26, we could see:
Expanded Token Programs – Covering not just Rising Stars but Legends, TOTW, or even themed seasonal promos.
Player Evolution Paths – Using tokens to upgrade a single card over time, giving more incentive to stick with favorite players.
Marketplace Integration – Potential for Star Power tokens themselves to become tradeable or auctionable, adding another economy layer.
In short, Star Power tokens are more than just a fun late-season diversion. They‘re a sign of EA experimenting with player choice and market impact, which could reshape how MUT evolves in Madden 26.
Final Thoughts
The Rising Stars program and its Star Power token system have injected fresh energy into Madden Ultimate Team at a time when most players are simply coasting toward the next release. Whether you‘re grinding toward a free 99 OVR to round out your squad, or flipping auctionable Rising Stars cards for big profits, the tokens represent one of the most player-friendly innovations we‘ve seen all year.
For no-spend players, it‘s a chance to earn endgame cards without dropping coins. For traders, it‘s a new market to exploit. And for EA, it‘s a proof of concept that might shape the future of MUT.
If Madden 26 expands upon this idea, Star Power tokens could mark the beginning of a new era where grindable progression, market economics, and  buy Fut Coins  roster customization intersect more fluidly than ever before.