Sega and Sports Interactive have made the tough decision to cancel Football Manager 25 across all platforms, marking the first time the beloved sports simulation series has missed a year since its inception in 2004. The cancellation follows a challenging development period, particularly after the transition to the Unity game engine, which proved problematic, especially in terms of player experience and interface.
The news broke alongside Sega Sammy Holdings’ latest financial results, which noted a writedown of costs related to the game. Sports Interactive, after "extensive internal discussion and careful consideration" with its parent company Sega, announced the decision on their blog. Sega confirmed to IGN that no jobs would be affected by this cancellation.
In their statement, Sports Interactive also clarified that there would be no update for Football Manager 24 with the 2024/25 season data, as it would require resources that are now critical for the development of future releases. The developer is currently negotiating with platform holders and licensors about extending the FM24 agreements on subscription services like Game Pass.
Football Manager 25 had already faced two delays, with the latest scheduled for March 2025. Following the cancellation, Sports Interactive is now focusing on Football Manager 26, expected to launch in the traditional November slot.
Sports Interactive expressed deep regret to fans who had pre-ordered FM25, thanking them for their trust and support and offering refunds. The studio acknowledged the disappointment, especially given the anticipation around the game and its previous delays. They explained that due to stakeholder compliance and legal and financial regulations, the announcement could not be made sooner.
The team at Sports Interactive had aimed for FM25 to be the "biggest technical and visual advancement for the series in a generation," setting the stage for a new era. However, despite their efforts, the game did not meet the desired standards in key areas, particularly the player experience and interface. Extensive evaluation, including consumer playtesting, confirmed that while many elements were on target, the overall experience was not up to par.
The decision to cancel was made to avoid releasing a game that did not meet their high standards and to prevent further delays that would impact the football season. Sports Interactive is now fully committed to ensuring that Football Manager 26 meets their goals and the quality expected by their community.
The developer concluded by thanking fans for their patience and continued support, promising updates on their progress toward creating a new era for Football Manager.
