In a surprising turn of events, Sports Interactive has officially announced the cancellation of Football Manager 25 (FM25). This decision, made in collaboration with SEGA, marks a major shift in the studio’s development plans, with all resources now redirected toward the next iteration of the game. Sports Interactive shifts focus to future release.
FM25 Cancellation Confirmed
The cancellation of FM25 follows multiple delays and high anticipation for what was set to be the most significant technical and visual advancement in the series’ history.
Initially planned for release in late 2024, FM25 was then pushed to early 2025. However, despite extensive development efforts, Sports Interactive has ultimately decided to cancel the game entirely.
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In an official statement, Sports Interactive acknowledged the disappointment this will cause within the Football Manager community, apologizing to fans who had been eagerly awaiting the first gameplay reveal. The studio cited ongoing development challenges and an inability to meet the expected quality standards as key reasons behind the difficult decision.
Why Was FM25 Canceled?
The cancellation stems from several technical and developmental hurdles. While many aspects of the game met expectations, the overall player experience and interface fell short of the required standard. Consumer playtesting and internal evaluations confirmed that significant improvements were still needed, and even with the revised timeline, the game would not be ready to deliver the experience fans deserve.
Rather than releasing an unfinished product and patching issues later, Sports Interactive opted for a complete cancellation. Additionally, the studio felt that releasing FM25 beyond March 2025 would be impractical, as it would coincide too closely with the next installment’s development cycle.
Refunds for Pre-Ordered Copies
For those who pre-ordered FM25, full refunds will be issued automatically through official SEGA-approved retailers. Sports Interactive has advised customers to contact their respective points of purchase for any inquiries related to refunds.
What Happens Next?
With FM25 no longer in development, Sports Interactive is fully dedicating its efforts to the next Football Manager release. The studio has reassured fans that updates on future projects will be provided as soon as possible.
However, FM24 will not receive an update to include 2024/25 season data. As confirmed by Sports Interactive, diverting resources to update FM24 would hinder progress on the next-generation Football Manager title.
Fortunately, FM Wonderkid offers all the data and transfer update patches for the 24/25 season, including the January Transfer Window Update.
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As for FM24’s availability on subscription platforms, discussions are ongoing with platform partners to extend agreements. More details will be shared once negotiations are finalized.
This Is Not the End of Football Manager
The cancellation of FM25 is a major shake-up for the Football Manager series, but it also signals a commitment to delivering the highest quality experience for fans. While the disappointment is undeniable, the focus now shifts to what the future holds for the franchise.
Stay tuned to FM Wonderkid for all the latest updates on Football Manager and what’s next for the series.
