Sega and Sports Interactive 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 UK-based developer had previously touted FM25 as "the biggest technical and visual advancement for the series in a generation," but encountered significant challenges transitioning to the Unity game engine, particularly concerning the player experience and interface.
The announcement, part of Sega Sammy Holdings’ recent financial results, includes a writedown of associated costs. Sports Interactive explained in a blog post that the decision followed extensive internal discussions with Sega. Sega has confirmed that no job losses resulted from this decision.
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 services like Game Pass.
FM25 had already faced two delays before its cancellation, the last pushing the release to March 2025. Sports Interactive is now concentrating on Football Manager 26, anticipated for its usual November release. Refunds are being offered to those who pre-ordered FM25.
The developers apologized for the delay in communicating this decision, citing stakeholder compliance and regulations. They emphasized their commitment to delivering high-quality games, explaining that despite significant effort, FM25 didn't meet their standards in key areas, particularly the overall player experience and interface. Extensive testing confirmed this, validating the need for further development.
Releasing FM25 in its current state wasn't considered viable, nor was a later release date due to the football season's timing. All efforts are now focused on ensuring Football Manager 26 meets expectations. The developers thanked fans for their patience and continued support.
