FUT Team of the Year (TOTY) IS Coming on January 9th, 2017

TL;DR

  • TOTY cards feature the highest stat boosts in FIFA 17, typically increasing by 6-7 points across key attributes
  • Blue TOTY cards are available for exactly one week with specific position rotations and a final all-player day
  • You cannot use both regular and TOTY versions of the same player simultaneously in your squad
  • Strategic pack opening during lightning rounds significantly improves acquisition chances
  • TOTY players maintain eligibility across all game modes including FUT Draft and Squad Building Challenges

The FIFA Ultimate Team Team of the Year (TOTY) represents the pinnacle of virtual football achievement, with this prestigious event occurring annually since its introduction in FIFA 12. For FIFA 17, the highly anticipated TOTY release is scheduled for January 9th, 2017, marking the first major content update of the new year.

Each spring, EA Sports meticulously constructs an elite squad based on real-world player performances from the previous calendar year. The selection process involves rigorous voting by FIFPro, the global professional footballers association, ensuring only the world’s most exceptional talents receive this honor. These players represent the absolute peak of football excellence in the virtual pitch.

EA Sports crafts distinctive blue TOTY cards exclusively for the FIFA World 11 recipients recognized at the Best FIFA Football Awards. These special cards deliver the most substantial stat enhancements among all in-form players, making them coveted by every serious FUT enthusiast. As the inaugural major inform cards of each FIFA cycle, the TOTY release stands as one of FIFA 17’s most significant events, with the community eagerly anticipating special lightning rounds and promotional happy hours throughout the week-long celebration.

As dedicated FIFA content specialists, we’re excited to share comprehensive insights about this landmark event with the global FIFA community.

The exclusive blue TOTY cards are awarded to precisely eleven elite athletes: one goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders, and three forwards, regardless of their league affiliations or base card quality. The distinction applies solely to these four positional categories rather than individual roles within them. These premium cards remain accessible across all gameplay modes, including the popular FUT Draft and strategic FIFA 17 Squad Building Challenges.

TOTY Cards Ratings and Stats

TOTY cards represent the most sought-after in-form player items in FIFA 17, delivering unparalleled attribute enhancements that significantly outperform standard informs.

TOTY players typically receive substantial rating increases of six to seven points across their core attributes. Forward positions often demonstrate more modest improvements since elite strikers like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi already possess exceptionally high base ratings. While most attributes experience similar boosts, developers strategically enhance specific stats relevant to each player’s role. Positional assignments on these special cards may differ from base versions if athletes demonstrated exceptional performance in new roles during the preceding year.

You’re permitted to own both the standard card and TOTY version of identical players within your club collection. However, crucial gameplay restriction: you cannot deploy both variants simultaneously within your active match squad.

The TOTY launch triggers massive pack opening activity across the FIFA community, with these elite players remaining in packs for exactly seven days. The distribution follows a structured schedule: two days dedicated to each positional group followed by a culminating 24-hour period featuring all TOTY members simultaneously. If you currently possess the standard version of a TOTY-selected player, your existing card remains unchanged statistically. To acquire the enhanced TOTY iteration, you must either purchase it from the transfer market or successfully unpack it from FIFA points or coin-purchased packs.

Strategic acquisition planning becomes crucial during TOTY events. Market prices typically peak during the initial 48 hours of each position’s release, then gradually decline as supply increases. Savvy investors often wait until the final all-player day to secure better deals, though popular players like Ronaldo and Messi maintain premium pricing throughout.

For optimal pack opening results, focus your efforts during promotional lightning rounds when pack weight temporarily improves. These limited-time windows significantly enhance your probability of unpacking these rare blue cards without excessive expenditure.

When building squads around TOTY acquisitions, consider chemistry implications carefully. While these elite cards link well with most players, building hybrid squads requires strategic planning to maximize chemistry benefits. Our comprehensive Class Guide provides deeper insights into optimal squad construction techniques.

Common mistake: attempting to use TOTY cards in positions they’re not assigned to, which severely impacts chemistry. Always verify position compatibility before making expensive purchases. Another frequent error involves overspending on packs during non-promotional periods when acquisition probabilities are significantly lower.

For long-term value retention, TOTY cards typically maintain their pricing better than other special cards throughout the game cycle. However, prices do experience gradual depreciation as newer promotions introduce alternative elite options. Strategic buying during market crashes surrounding other major promotions can yield substantial savings on these premium items.

Advanced players should consult our Complete Guide for advanced market manipulation techniques and squad optimization strategies that complement TOTY acquisitions.

Action Checklist

  • Monitor official EA Sports announcements for exact TOTY release timing and player reveals
  • Prepare coins or FIFA points in advance, focusing acquisition during lightning round promotions
  • Study market trends for each positional group release to identify optimal buying windows
  • Verify squad chemistry compatibility before purchasing expensive TOTY cards
  • Check our Weapons Unlock guide for complementary player development strategies

No reproduction without permission:OnLineGames Guides » FUT Team of the Year (TOTY) IS Coming on January 9th, 2017 Complete guide to FIFA 17 Team of the Year cards: stats, acquisition strategies, and market impact