Cancellation of 'Football Manager 25' Due to Unity Engine Transition

Sega has officially announced the cancellation of 'Football Manager 25', a highly anticipated installment in the popular football simulation series. The decision comes after multiple delays and challenges faced during the transition to the Unity Engine, which was expected to modernize the game significantly.

Originally scheduled for release in November, 'Football Manager 25' aimed to introduce a fresh visual style, particularly in its real-time match simulations. However, as development progressed, it became clear that the game would not meet the quality standards set by the developers at Sports Interactive. Consequently, the team has shifted their focus to 'Football Manager 26'.

In an official statement, Sports Interactive expressed that the move to the new engine was intended to facilitate the most substantial technical and graphical advancements in the series in over a decade. As critical milestones approached, it became evident that the game would not reach a satisfactory level of polish, leading to the decision to abandon its release.

The developers indicated that the user interface was particularly incomplete, and the overall gaming experience was not at a level that could be confidently released. With the current football season already well underway, delaying the launch further was deemed impractical, as it would have been too late for fans to reasonably expect another game this year.

As a result of this cancellation, players who pre-ordered 'Football Manager 25' will receive full refunds. The focus will now be on ensuring that 'Football Manager 26', which is tentatively planned for a November 2025 release, meets the expected quality and goals.

The 'Football Manager' series has consistently been a top seller within Sega's portfolio, known for its in-depth simulation features covering squad management, training, tactics, and personnel decisions. The accuracy of player statistics is so high that many real football clubs utilize the game's data for scouting purposes. The previous installment, 'Football Manager 24', attracted over 14 million players across various platforms.

Due to licensing agreements, older versions of 'Football Manager' are frequently removed from digital stores. To bridge the gap until 'Football Manager 26' is released, Sports Interactive is committed to keeping 'Football Manager 24' available for a longer duration.