Football Manager 25 Canceled: What Went Wrong & What's Next
Sports Interactive has officially canceled Football Manager 25 due to development challenges. Discover why it was scrapped, refund details, and what's planned for FM26.
Bad news for Football Manager fans—Sports Interactive has officially canceled Football Manager 25 after multiple delays. Originally planned for a March 2025 release, the game has now been scrapped entirely.
Let’s break down why this happened and what’s next for the Football Manager franchise.
Why FM25 Was Canceled
In an official statement, Sports Interactive explained that after several delays, the game still wasn’t up to their standards. Here’s the key reasoning behind the cancellation:
- The game’s overall experience and interface weren’t where they needed to be.
- A later release would clash with the football season, making it difficult to sell another new game in late 2025.
- Rushing the game out in an unfinished state wouldn’t be the right move for players.
The decision was made in agreement with SEGA, prioritizing the long-term success of the series over a rushed release.
No Football Manager 2024 Data Update Either
If you were hoping for an FM24 database update to soften the blow—that’s not happening either. The studio says it would require too many resources, which they’d rather put toward developing the next release instead.
For now, if you’re itching for a challenge, you might want to check out some of the hardest FM24 saves to keep yourself busy.
What Happens Next?
While Football Manager 25 is gone, the franchise isn’t dead. FM25 was meant to be a major shift, moving to a new Unity-based engine and reworking many features. That transition is still happening—just at a later date.
This move might be disappointing now, but if it ensures a better FM26, it could be worth the wait.
In the meantime, players who pre-ordered FM25 can get a full refund if they bought through an official SEGA-approved retailer.
Final Thoughts
For the first time in its history, Football Manager is skipping a year—but maybe that’s a good thing. While fans are understandably frustrated, this could mean a stronger, more polished FM26 in the long run.
