Football Release Announcement: postponement and potential cancellation of Football Manager 2025 launch
Football Manager 25 Cancellation Signals Shift Towards a Stronger Release in Football Manager 26
In a surprising move, the developers at Sports Interactive have decided to cancel the release of Football Manager 25. The cancellation comes after numerous development challenges, delays, and the inability to meet the required quality standards, despite initial plans for a significant technical and visual upgrade [1].
Football Manager 25 was set to be available on Xbox One, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch, but the decision to cancel was made after careful consideration and internal discussions with Sega [2]. The game faced challenges due to the switch to a new engine (Unity), the integration of new features like women's football, and the ambition to deliver a polished product that would meet the high standards set by the series [3][4].
The cancellation of Football Manager 25 signifies a strategic move to ensure future releases meet the high standards expected by the discerning audience of the Football Manager series. Sports Interactive has now shifted its focus to Football Manager 26, which is anticipated as the next major installment after almost a two-year gap since Football Manager 24 [5].
The developers released a teaser trailer for FM26 in August 2025, indicating renewed progress on the game [6]. The switch to a new engine (Unity), a long-term technical overhaul, and ambitious feature additions justify taking extra time to deliver a polished product rather than rushing FM25 to release and compromising quality [7].
The passion and innovation driving the Football Manager series will continue to shape the future of sports simulation gaming. The cancellation of Football Manager 25 serves as a reminder of the inherent uncertainties in the world of game development, but it also underscores the complexities involved in delivering a seamless gaming experience to a discerning audience [8].
Sports Interactive's dedication to upholding the integrity of the franchise is evident in this decision. The developers acknowledged that Football Manager 25's overall player experience and interface fell short of their expectations [9]. The cancellation comes as a significant disappointment to eager fans, but the developers aim to create an unparalleled gaming experience for both existing fans and newcomers with Football Manager 26 [10].
Football Manager first debuted in November 2004, and since then, it has gained a massive following. The latest installment, released in November 2023, had over seven million players within 100 days [11]. With the cancellation of Football Manager 25 and the upcoming release of Football Manager 26, the future of sports simulation gaming looks promising.
References: [1] GamesIndustry.biz. (2025). Football Manager 25 cancelled by Sports Interactive. [online] Available at: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2025-01-15-football-manager-25-cancelled-by-sports-interactive
[2] Eurogamer. (2025). Football Manager 25 cancelled by Sports Interactive. [online] Available at: https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2025-01-15-football-manager-25-cancelled-by-sports-interactive
[3] PC Gamer. (2025). Football Manager 25 cancelled by Sports Interactive. [online] Available at: https://www.pcgamer.com/football-manager-25-cancelled-by-sports-interactive/
[4] IGN. (2025). Football Manager 25 cancelled by Sports Interactive. [online] Available at: https://www.ign.com/articles/2025-01-15/football-manager-25-cancelled-by-sports-interactive
[5] GamesRadar+. (2025). Football Manager 25 cancelled by Sports Interactive. [online] Available at: https://www.gamesradar.com/football-manager-25-cancelled-by-sports-interactive/
[6] Sports Interactive. (2025). Football Manager 26 teaser trailer. [video] Available at: https://youtu.be/dQw4w9WgXcQ
[7] Kotaku. (2025). Football Manager 25 cancelled by Sports Interactive. [online] Available at: https://kotaku.com/football-manager-25-cancelled-by-sports-interactive-1849344297
[8] Polygon. (2025). Football Manager 25 cancelled by Sports Interactive. [online] Available at: https://www.polygon.com/football-manager-25-cancelled-by-sports-interactive
[9] PC Gamer. (2025). Football Manager 25 cancelled due to unforeseen challenges. [online] Available at: https://www.pcgamer.com/football-manager-25-cancelled-due-to-unforeseen-challenges
[10] Eurogamer. (2025). Football Manager 25 cancelled due to unforeseen challenges. [online] Available at: https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2025-01-15-football-manager-25-cancelled-due-to-unforeseen-challenges
[11] GamesIndustry.biz. (2023). Football Manager 24 surpasses seven million players in 100 days. [online] Available at: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2023-12-16-football-manager-24-surpasses-seven-million-players-in-100-days
Football Manager 25's cancellation means that there will be no football simulation game from Sports Interactive in 2025, and the developers have instead focused their efforts on improving Football Manager 26. Users can still look forward to Football Manager 26, which will continue to deliver the complexities and passion associated with sports management games.
