FM25 Canceled, Devs Apologize to Fans

Sega and Sports Interactive have officially scrapped Football Manager 25 across all platforms following significant development challenges. This marks the first complete annual skip for the iconic football simulation franchise since its 2004 debut.

UK developer Sports Interactive previously promoted FM25 as representing "the most substantial technical and visual overhaul in the series' history." However, complications emerged during the transition to Unity engine, particularly concerning core gameplay experience and user interface systems.

The cancellation was revealed during Sega Sammy Holdings' financial report, which includes write-offs related to the failed project. Sports Interactive emphasized the decision followed "thorough internal evaluations" with parent company Sega. IGN confirmed no layoffs resulted from this cancellation.

Sports Interactive confirmed there won't be a Football Manager 24 roster update for the 2024/25 season, as this would "compromise development resources needed for our next major release." The studio is negotiating with platform holders to maintain FM24 availability on subscription services like Game Pass.

FM25 had previously been delayed twice before its ultimate cancellation, with the latest target release pushed to March 2025. Development focus has now shifted to Football Manager 26, expected for the traditional November launch window.

"To those who pre-ordered FM25, we deeply appreciate your trust and sincerely apologize for this outcome," stated Sports Interactive. The company is processing full refunds for all pre-orders.

"We recognize this news is particularly disappointing after two previous delays and the anticipation surrounding gameplay reveals. Regulatory compliance prevented earlier communication of this difficult decision.

"Our team has always prioritized delivering exceptional value and countless hours of engagement. FM25 was envisioned as a foundational leap forward for the franchise, but despite our developers' extraordinary efforts, unforeseen challenges prevented us from reaching our quality benchmarks.

"While many game elements met our targets, core player experience and interface systems fell short of expectations. Playtesting confirmed we're progressing toward our vision but remain too distant from the quality our community deserves.

"Releasing an unfinished product or delaying further into the football season simply wasn't acceptable. This cancellation allows complete focus on delivering FM26 at the standard our fans expect. We'll share development updates when possible.

"Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support. Our entire team is now dedicated to ushering in Football Manager's next great chapter."