Football Manager 25 Cancelled After Development Struggles and Delays

Football Manager 25 has officially been cancelled after a turbulent development cycle and several delays. Sports Interactive, the developer, announced it would shift focus to the next installment in the long-running football management series. This is the first time since 2004, when the series began, that an annual FM title will not be released.

FM25 Cancellation and Refunds for Pre-Orders

Sports Interactive shared the news with fans in an update on their website. “Following extensive discussions with SEGA, we’ve made the difficult decision to cancel FM25,” the studio said. “We want to thank those who pre-ordered the game for their trust and support. We’re truly sorry for letting you down.”

The cancellation impacts all versions of the game across different platforms. Fans who pre-ordered FM25 will receive full refunds, provided the purchase was made through an official SEGA-approved retailer. Refunds will be processed by individual retailers.

Delays and Development Struggles Led to FM25’s Cancellation

FM25 had already faced two delays, pushing the game’s release from its original November 2024 window to March 2025. Sports Interactive encountered significant challenges when transitioning the game to the Unity engine, causing several technical issues. Despite these delays, the studio had hoped to release the game in March but ultimately realized that it wasn’t meeting the quality standards it had set.

“We aimed to make the biggest technical and visual advancement in the series, but many unforeseen challenges prevented us from achieving that,” the developer explained. “As we approached the year’s end, it became clear we wouldn’t meet the required standards, even with extra time.”

Focus Shifts to Football Manager 26

Now, Sports Interactive is focusing on the next entry in the Football Manager series, likely to be FM26, which is expected around November 2025. “We are fully dedicated to making the next game the best possible release and will share more updates as soon as possible,” they said.

Despite the disappointment, the studio remains committed to delivering a high-quality experience in the future.