Restore Meaningful Stamina Management in Pro Clubs

Pro Clubs Stamina is one of the biggest issues affecting Pro Clubs in FC 26. The current system has essentially removed stamina management from the mode. Players can sprint almost the entire match, constantly track back defensively, recover their position, and immediately sprint forward again with little to no consequence. This creates a major gameplay problem because stamina is not just a physical attribute — it impacts positioning, tactics, archetype choices, and competitive balance.

Unlimited Stamina Has Changed How Matches Are Played 

Previously, players had to make decisions: 

• Should I press or hold my position? 
• Should I make this attacking run? 
• Should I track back or conserve energy?
• Is this the right time to sprint? 

Now, those decisions are mostly gone.

Players can:

• Lose possession and instantly sprint back.
• Make mistakes defensively and recover.
• Constantly press without being punished.
• Have attackers defend like midfielders for the entire match.

This rewards poor positioning because players are no longer punished for being out of position. A defender can step forward, get beaten, and simply sprint back into position. An attacker can make repeated recovery runs and still have enough energy to attack moments later.

Stamina Has Made Smaller Clubs Almost Impossible to Compete With

This issue becomes even more noticeable when teams are outnumbered.

In previous Pro Clubs games, playing against a larger team was challenging but still manageable because stamina created limitations.

A smaller team could use:

• Better positioning.
• Counterattacks.
• Possession.
• Tactical discipline.

In FC 26, playing with fewer players becomes extremely difficult because larger teams can constantly swarm the ball and recover defensively.

A team with:

• 3 players vs 6 players.
• 4 players vs 7 players.

Is already at a disadvantage, but when every player can maintain maximum intensity for 90 minutes, the gap becomes almost impossible to overcome.

My club previously competed in Elite Division in FC 25, but in FC 26 we have spent significantly more time avoiding league play because playing against larger teams with unlimited stamina removes the competitive balance.

The Relentless Playstyle Has Lost Its Purpose

One of the biggest consequences of unlimited stamina is that it has made the Relentless playstyle almost irrelevant.

In previous versions, Relentless had a clear identity.

For example, as a midfielder:

• You could press.
• Track runners.
• Make box-to-box runs.
• Cover more ground.

It was a meaningful choice. Now, because every player effectively has unlimited stamina, there is almost no reason to select it.

A playstyle designed around endurance should provide a noticeable advantage.

Players should have to choose:

• High stamina / Relentless build
•  More running ability.
• Better recovery.
• More defensive coverage.

But sacrifice:

•  Shooting.
• Passing.
• Strength.
• Other attributes.

That creates meaningful build decisions.

Stamina Should Be Different for Different Modes

The current stamina changes appear designed around competitive gameplay in modes like Ultimate Team. However, Pro Clubs is fundamentally different. In modes where one player controls the entire team, keeping the controlled player feeling responsive throughout the match makes sense. But Pro Clubs is an online team mode where each player controls one individual. The same stamina philosophy does not translate. Pro Clubs should have its own stamina tuning.

Suggested approach:

 League Matches

• Realistic stamina drain.
• Sprinting has consequences.
• Fatigue affects gameplay.
• Positioning matters.

Tournament/Cup Matches

• Similar competitive stamina rules.
• Higher stakes require meaningful decisions.

 Drop-Ins / Rush

•  More casual stamina settings.
• Faster recovery.
• Less punishment.

Final Thoughts

The goal is not to make Pro Clubs slower or less fun. The goal is to restore meaningful choices.

Stamina should determine:

• Which archetype you choose.
• How you position yourself.
• When you press.
•  When you attack.
• How you manage a match.

Right now, unlimited stamina removes an important part of football strategy and makes team size imbalance far worse. Competitive gameplay settings may work for other modes, but Pro Clubs needs its own stamina system built around controlling one player in an online team environment.