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 2004 debut. The decision follows a challenging development process marked by difficulties transitioning to the Unity game engine.
While initially touted as a "biggest technical and visual advancement" for the series, the transition proved problematic, particularly impacting the player experience and user interface. The announcement was made alongside Sega Sammy Holdings’ financial results, which include a writedown of associated costs. Sega has confirmed that no job losses will result from this decision.
Sports Interactive clarified that there will be no Football Manager 24 update incorporating 2024/25 season data, prioritizing resources for Football Manager 26. 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, the last pushing the release to March 2025. Sports Interactive is now fully focused on Football Manager 26, aiming for a November release. Refunds are being offered to those who pre-ordered FM25.
Sports Interactive acknowledged the disappointment this news will cause, especially given the previous delays and anticipation. They explained that stakeholder compliance and regulatory requirements delayed the announcement. The developer emphasized their commitment to delivering high-value games and stated that while many aspects of FM25 met their targets, the overall player experience and interface fell short of their standards, a conclusion supported by consumer playtesting.
The decision to cancel, rather than release a compromised version, was made to ensure the next iteration meets the expected quality. Releasing later in the year was deemed unsuitable due to the football season's timing. Sports Interactive concluded by thanking fans for their patience and support, reiterating their commitment to creating a new era for Football Manager.
