Sports Interactive and Sega have announced the cancellation of Football Manager 25 across all platforms. This marks the first time the long-running series has skipped a year since its inception in 2004. The decision follows a challenging development process hampered by the transition to the Unity game engine. While initially touted as a significant technical and visual leap, issues with the player experience and interface proved insurmountable.
The announcement, part of Sega Sammy Holdings' financial report, includes a write-down of associated costs. Sports Interactive stated in a blog post that the decision came after extensive internal discussions with Sega. Sega has confirmed that no job losses resulted from this cancellation.
There will be no Football Manager 24 update with 2024/25 season data, as resources are fully dedicated to the next iteration. Discussions are underway with platform holders and licensors regarding extending FM24 agreements on subscription services like Game Pass.
FM25 faced two prior delays before its ultimate cancellation, with the last projected release date set for March 2025. Development has now shifted to Football Manager 26, anticipated for the usual November release window. Refunds are being offered to those who pre-ordered FM25.
Sports Interactive acknowledged the disappointment this news will cause, particularly given the previous delays and anticipation. They apologized for the delayed announcement, citing stakeholder compliance and regulatory requirements. The developer emphasized its commitment to delivering high-quality games and explained that, despite progress in many areas, the overall player experience and interface did not meet their standards, a conclusion supported by extensive testing. Releasing a subpar game, or delaying further into the football season, were deemed unacceptable options.
The company’s full focus is now on Football Manager 26, aiming to deliver a game that meets the expected quality. Further updates on the progress of FM26 will be provided as they become available.
