In a surprising announcement, developer Sports Interactive has officially cancelled Football Manager 25, citing an inability to meet quality expectations despite multiple delays. The studio, in collaboration with SEGA, has decided to redirect all efforts toward their next project, FM26, instead.
“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,” Sports Interactive stated in an official press release. Pre-orders will be refunded automatically if purchased through SEGA-approved retailers, with further inquiries directed to the respective points of purchase.
The cancellation follows months of internal challenges, both anticipated and unforeseen. Sports Interactive initially aimed for Football Manager 25 to be the most significant technical and visual evolution in the series. However, as they approached critical milestones, it became unmistakably evident that the game was falling short of expectations. “Whilst many areas of the game have hit our targets, the overarching player experience and interface is not where we need it to be,” the studio explained. Extensive consumer playtesting validated their vision for the game’s new direction, but they ultimately determined they were still too far from delivering the standard players deserve.
Rather than release a subpar product and attempt to fix it post-launch, Sports Interactive chose to cancel Football Manager 25 entirely. “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,” the statement continued. The studio also ruled out launching later than March, as it would be too late in the football season to justify another release within the same year. It also apologized to fans and said it could not announce the delay sooner due to financial regulations and obligations to its shareholders.
As for the future of the franchise, Sports Interactive assures fans that their next instalment will fully embody the ambitious vision originally set for Football Manager 25. “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. We will update you on how we are progressing with that as soon as we are able to do so,” the statement concluded.
First launched in 2004, Football Manager has long been a staple for fans looking to step into the role of a gaffer and lead their chosen team to glory. The now-cancelled Football Manager 25 was set to introduce major upgrades, including enhanced visuals, a revamped interface, and, for the first time, women’s teams—complete with a new stats database and advanced motion-capture technology for female players.
While Football Manager 24 remains unaffected for now, Sports Interactive has confirmed that there will be no 2024/25 season data update. The studio is currently in talks with platform partners and licensors to extend the game’s availability on subscription services. Though the cancellation is a major disappointment for fans, Sports Interactive’s decision reinforces their commitment to quality over rushed releases.
Words by Khushboo Malhotra
We’re trying to raise £200 a month to help cover our operational costs. This includes our ‘Writer of the Month’ awards, where we recognise the amazing work produced by our contributor team. If you’ve enjoyed reading our site, we’d really appreciate it if you could donate to The Indiependent. Whether you can give £1 or £10, you’d be making a huge difference to our small team.