About the Program

EA SPORTS™ expands your quest for glory by fully immersing you in the entire sports experience. Activating your Online Pass gives you full access to online features and bonus content.

See below for instructions and a tutorial video to maximize your gaming experience with Online Pass.

Online Pass is in all future EA SPORTS simulation games on the PS3 and Xbox 360. The latest version of Online Pass launches with Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12.

EA SPORTS. It’s In The Game.

To activate your EA SPORTS Online Pass:

Start your EA SPORTS™ game, and select ENABLE ONLINE PASS from the Menu.
Then select REDEEM CODE FOR ONLINE ACCESS.
At the code Redemption screen, enter the single-use code located on the back of the game´s manual cover. *
Once the code is entered, you will have access to your title´s online features and bonus content.

*EA Account required for Online Pass activation. You can create an EA Account in-game or at EASPORTS.com/register.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I unlock my Online Pass access code?
When you connect online with your new EA SPORTS game for the first time, you’ll be prompted to confirm your EA account details.  If you don’t already have an EA account, you’ll be asked to accept our Online Terms and Conditions and then create an account.  After confirming or creating your account, a screen will appear that enables you to redeem your Online Pass code.

If you haven’t already enabled Online Pass, when you try to access an online feature in your game, you will be prompted to enter your code. If you do not have a code, you may purchase Online Pass access from within the game.  If you’re not sure online is for you, you can enjoy a temporary free trial before purchasing access.

Where do I find the Online Pass access code?
The code is on the back of the manual inside your game.  When you open the package, you’ll see the game disc on the right.  On the left you will find the game manual along with other printed material.  Flip the manual over, and you’ll see the code at the top of the back page.

If I have a used game, how will I know if the access code that came with the game still works?
Your Online Pass code comes with the original retail purchase of the game.  If the original consumer of the game did not use the Online Pass code, the second-hand consumer may use that code.

Does one Online Pass give me online access to all EA SPORTS titles?
In order to access online features and bonus content for a specific title, you need to activate or purchase Online Pass for each title.  A code to activate Online Pass is found on the back of the manual of each EA SPORTS title purchased new.

How do I buy online access or get a code if I do not have a one or my code has already been used?
If you have purchased a new game, your code is printed on the back of the manual included inside your game packaging.  If you have purchased a used game and the code originally included has already been activated, you will need to purchase EA SPORTS Online Pass access from within your game by choosing PURCHASE ONLINE ACCESS from the Code Redemption screen.

Can I buy my code from ea.com or is it only available via Microsoft and Sony?
An Online Pass needs to be purchased through Xbox LIVE Marketplace or PlayStation®Store.  You can purchase Online Pass access from within your game by choosing PURCHASE ONLINE ACCESS from the Code Redemption screen.

What if I cannot find the Online Pass for purchase in the Xbox LIVE Marketplace or PlayStation®Store?
For some EA SPORTS titles in regions outside of North America, Online Pass is not currently available for purchase through Xbox LIVE Marketplace or Playstation®Store. Review a complete list of markets and titles where Online Pass is currently available for purchase.

How do I unlock my code once I buy it?
If you have a code for EA SPORTS Online Pass access, you will be prompted to enter the code when you access an online feature in your game.  If you have purchased online access from within your game, you do not need to enter a code.

Do I still need to buy an Xbox LIVE gold subscription to use online features?
Yes, multiplayer online game modes require an Xbox LIVE Gold subscription for gamers playing on Xbox 360 consoles.

What online features will work if I don’t subscribe to Xbox LIVE Gold?
You will be able to enjoy all the offline content of your game and will be able to download other items from the in-game store.  You will be unable to play multiplayer online game modes or use your downloaded content in online game modes.

Excluding multiplayer online gameplay, some online features, on a game-by-game basis may be available for use without a Gold subscription.

What happens if my console dies or is lost or stolen?
If you have already redeemed the code from your game manual or purchased Online Pass access, you will be able to access online features from any console using the same Xbox 360 gamertag or PlayStation 3 persona.  You may need to go to the ‘my downloaded content’ section in Xbox LIVE Marketplace or PSN Store to re-download your EA SPORTS Online Pass.

Can I still buy downloadable content without activation of an Online Pass?
Yes.  If you do not have Xbox LIVE Gold access, you will only be able to use downloadable content in offline game modes.

Can I still get free downloadable game add-ons?
Yes, you may still download game add-ons such as EA Sports Ultimate Team (when applicable).   However, if you do not have Xbox LIVE Gold access or EA SPORTS Online Pass access, you will only be able to use downloadable content in offline game modes.

What if I’m not connected to the Internet?
An internet connection is required to activate the Online Pass and to gain access to bonus content.

Do I need to purchase an Online Pass when I rent a game?
Each Xbox LIVE gamertag or Sony PSN ID is entitled to a free 2 day trial per title.  Beyond that, users will be required to redeem or purchase Online Pass access.

Do I need an unique Online Pass for every user on my console?
No.  One Online Pass will give online access to multiple users logged into the console where the Online Pass was first activated (subject to the console manufacturer’s and EA online terms of service).

Also, the user that activated the Online Pass will be allowed to access online features on other consoles (of the same manufacturer) by logging into the same account credentials that they used when they enabled the Online Pass.

What happens if I play at a friend’s console?
If you have purchased Online Pass access or redeemed a code for free access on one console, you can use your access on any other console.  To do so, sign in using your Xbox LIVE gamertag or PSN ID persona on your friend’s console when playing online.

Is there any difference between the Online Pass trial in 11 and 12 titles?
Yes. All EA SPORTS 11 titles have a 7-Day free trial while 12 titles have a 2-Day free trial.

Features of the Online Pass

    Online Pass gives you access to online features and bonus content for your game. Choose your favorite EA SPORTS title to see what Online Pass offers for that specific title.

**Xbox LIVE Gold account also required to access online features.

*RESTRICTIONS APPLY. SEE MANUAL FOR DETAILS.

Watch the Online Pass Feature Tutorial

Online Pass Questions Answered

Five Questions with Andrew Wilson, Senior Vice President of World Wide Development, EA SPORTS

 

What exactly is Online Pass and when does it launch?
Online Pass launched in all EA SPORTS simulation games on the PS3 and Xbox 360 beginning June 2010 with Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 11.  It’s quite simple – every game will come with a game-specific, one-time use registration code with each unit sold new at retail.  With your Online Pass, you’ll have access to multiplayer online play, group features like online dynasty and leagues, user created content, and bonus downloadable content for your game including, for example, a new driver in Tiger.  If the original access code has been redeemed and fans wish to get access to the online content (for example, if you pick up a used copy), you can access a free 2-day trial or additional Online Passes will be available for $10.  

What do you mean by “bonus content”?  What type of content will that be?
In addition to Online Team Play, Live Tournaments and other modes and features, we expect every product will include additional content as part of its Online Pass.  Access to bonus content is included in the purchase of an Online Pass for a particular product.  For example, in Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 11, an advanced driver used on the PGA TOUR for play in-game will be included with the Online Pass.   Our goal is to provide value to consumers, and this is one piece of that philosophy.

We’ve seen a lot of different publishers, including EA, introduce the concept of registration codes.  How is this different, or the same, from others we’ve seen in the past year?
The concept of a code isn’t new, and in fact it’s something we’ve used in recent years with Live Season in FIFA and with Dynamic DNA in NBA LIVE.  The Online Pass though accelerates what we’ve done in the past and is unique in that all users will have access to the premium online services and content we provide.  Customers who purchase the games new for the full retail price get access to online services and features, as well as bonus game content; other customers will have access to all the online services and content for $10. GameStop has also offered their support.  Gamers will be able to purchase access to the Online Pass and additional DLC from EA at their stores and through their website.

Why charge anything for online access?
First, it’s important to be clear that all users have access to premium content.  I’ve been here now for more than a decade, and the investments we’re making in developing for digital are profound, compared to even a few years ago.  And it makes sense.  When we see how many people are playing all of our games online, consumers are telling us that competition is endemic to sports in a way that most people don’t get just by playing a game alone on their couch.  As a result, we’ve made a significant investment to offer the most immersive online experience available.  We want to reserve EA SPORTS online services for people who pay EA to access them.

Is this intended to combat second sale?
We actually view the second sale market as an opportunity to develop a direct relationship with our consumers, and with Online Pass everyone has access to the same premium online services and content regardless of how and where you buy the game.  In order to continue to enhance the online experiences that are attracting nearly five million connected game sessions a day, again, we think it’s fair to get paid for the services we provide and to reserve these online services for people who pay EA to access them.  In return, we’ll continue to invest in creating great games and offer industry-leading online services to extend the game experience to everyone.  I don’t think even the harshest cynic can argue with that and instead I think fans will see the value we’re committing to deliver when they see all the services, features and bonus content that is extending the life of their products.