Sega and Sports Interactive have made the difficult decision to cancel 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 UK-based developer had envisioned FM25 as a generational leap in technical and visual advancements, but the transition to the Unity game engine proved more challenging than anticipated, particularly impacting the player experience and interface.
The announcement coincided with Sega Sammy Holdings’ latest financial results, which include a writedown reflecting the game's development costs. Sports Interactive explained in a blog post that the decision followed extensive internal discussions and careful consideration with Sega. Sega has confirmed that no job losses are associated with this news.
There will be no Football Manager 24 update incorporating 2024/25 season data. Sports Interactive explained that diverting resources to such an update would compromise the development of the next iteration, requiring their full attention. Discussions are underway with platform holders and licensors regarding potential extensions of FM24 agreements on subscription services like Game Pass.
FM25 had already faced two delays before its ultimate cancellation, the last pushing the release to March 2025. Sports Interactive is now fully focused on Football Manager 26, anticipated for its usual November release window. Refunds are being offered to those who pre-ordered FM25.
The developer acknowledged the significant disappointment this news will cause, especially given the previous delays and anticipation for a gameplay reveal. They apologized for the time it took to announce the cancellation, citing stakeholder compliance and regulatory requirements as reasons for the delayed announcement.
Sports Interactive emphasized their commitment to delivering high-value games offering extensive enjoyment. While acknowledging progress in many areas, they concluded that the overall player experience and interface did not meet their standards, a conclusion supported by extensive internal evaluation and consumer playtesting. They stated that releasing FM25 in its current state and addressing issues later would be unacceptable. A post-March release was also deemed impractical given the football season's timing.
With the cancellation, all efforts are now directed towards Football Manager 26, aiming to meet the expected quality standards. Further updates on the progress of FM26 will be provided as they become available. The developer thanked fans for their patience and continued support.
