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 inception in 2004. The decision follows significant challenges encountered during development, primarily related to the transition to the Unity game engine. The resulting player experience and interface did not meet the developers' high standards, despite extensive efforts and multiple delays.
Initially touted as a "generation-defining" technical and visual leap, FM25 ultimately fell short of expectations. Internal reviews and player testing confirmed the need for further development, making a March 2025 release (after two prior delays) untenable. Releasing a subpar game was deemed unacceptable, and delaying further would have clashed with the football season's timeline.
Sega Sammy Holdings' financial results reflect a writedown of costs associated with the game's cancellation. However, Sports Interactive assures fans that no job losses resulted from this decision. There will be no FM24 update with 2024/25 season data, as resources are fully dedicated to FM26. Discussions are underway with platform holders and licensors to potentially extend FM24 agreements on subscription services. Pre-orders for FM25 will be refunded.
Sports Interactive expressed deep regret for the disappointment caused by the cancellation and the delayed communication, citing stakeholder compliance and regulatory requirements. The focus has now shifted entirely to Football Manager 26, targeted for a November release, aiming to deliver a game that meets the high standards expected by players.
