In a surprising turn of events, Sega and UK-based developer Sports Interactive have announced the cancellation of Football Manager 25 across all platforms. This marks the first time the popular sports simulation series, which began in 2004, has skipped a year entirely. The decision follows what has been described as a challenging development period.
Sports Interactive had initially touted FM25 as "the biggest technical and visual advancement for the series in a generation." However, the switch to the Unity game engine proved problematic, particularly in terms of the player experience and interface. This led to the cancellation, which was announced alongside Sega Sammy Holdings’ latest financial results, including a writedown of costs related to the game.
The decision to cancel FM25 was made after “extensive internal discussion and careful consideration” with parent company Sega, as stated in a blog post to fans. Sega confirmed to IGN that no roles were impacted by this decision. Sports Interactive also clarified that there would be no Football Manager 24 update with 2024/25 season data, as it "would divert critical resources away from the development of the next release which requires our full focus." The developer is currently negotiating with platform holders and licensors about extending FM24's availability on subscription services like Game Pass.
FM25 had already been delayed twice, with the latest delay pushing its release to March 2025. Now, Sports Interactive is shifting its focus to Football Manager 26, which is slated for a traditional November release.
In their statement, Sports Interactive expressed deep regret to the fans who had pre-ordered FM25, thanking them for their trust and support. Refunds are being offered to those affected. The developer acknowledged the disappointment, especially given the anticipation surrounding the gameplay reveal and the multiple delays.
"We have always prided ourselves on delivering the best value for money games that bring you countless hours of enjoyment, that feel worth every moment and every penny you spend," Sports Interactive said. The goal with FM25 was to create a significant technical and visual leap for the series, setting the stage for a new era. However, despite the team's efforts, various challenges and unforeseen issues prevented them from achieving the desired standards in key areas of the game, particularly the player experience and interface.
Sports Interactive had considered releasing FM25 in its current state and fixing issues post-launch, but deemed that approach inappropriate. They were also unwilling to delay beyond March, as it would be too late in the football season for players to invest in another game later in the year.
With the cancellation of FM25, the team's full attention is now on ensuring that Football Manager 26 meets the high standards expected by fans. Sports Interactive promised to provide updates on their progress as soon as possible, thanking fans for their patience and continued support.
