[GM Games] Football Manager 25 Officially Canceled as Sports Interactive Shifts Focus to FM26

[GM Games 255]

Football Manager 25 Officially Canceled as Sports Interactive Shifts Focus to FM26

Sports Interactive has announced that Football Manager 25 (FM25) will no longer be released, with the studio now shifting its focus to Football Manager 26 (FM26). The decision follows an internal review of the game’s development, which led to the conclusion that the product did not meet the expected quality standards.

Development Challenges and Transition to FM26

FM25 was initially planned for a March 2025 release after being delayed from its original November 2024 window. However, the studio faced challenges in transitioning to the Unity engine while simultaneously integrating women’s football for the first time in the series. Despite progress in these areas, the team determined that the overall player experience and interface did not meet internal benchmarks.

Studio Director Miles Jacobson addressed the situation, stating,

“We could have pressed on, released FM25 in its current state, and fixed things down the line—but that’s not the right thing to do.”

He emphasized the importance of maintaining quality and not compromising on the player experience.

Jacobson also noted, “We were unwilling to go beyond a March release as it would be too late in the football season to expect players to then buy another game later in the year.” This consideration played a role in the decision to cancel FM25 and focus on FM26.

With FM25 no longer moving forward, there will also be no 2024/25 season update for Football Manager 2024. Instead, Sports Interactive is directing its resources toward FM26, which is now set to launch in November 2025. The additional development time is expected to allow for further refinement of the game’s new features and engine transition. Jacobson reassured fans, stating, “Through the cancellation, every effort is now focused on ensuring that our next release achieves our goal and hits the quality level we all expect.”

Refunds for Pre-Orders

Players who had pre-ordered FM25 will receive automatic refunds. Jacobson expressed gratitude to the community, saying, “For the large numbers of you who pre-ordered FM25, we thank you enormously for your trust and support—we’re very sorry to have let you down.” He encouraged players to refer to the official FAQs for information on obtaining refunds.

More updates on FM26 are expected as development progresses. In the meantime, FM24 remains the latest available version in the series. Fans can continue to follow official channels for further announcements regarding Football Manager’s future.

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