Sports Interactive has officially announced the cancellation of Football Manager 25 following multiple delays. Originally slated for release in March 2025, the game had already been postponed from its usual October-November launch window. Despite these efforts, the studio determined that even the revised timeline was too ambitious, ultimately leading to the decision to cancel the game and shift focus to the next installment in the series.
Since its inception with Football Manager 2005, the franchise has been a staple in sports strategy gaming, known for its deep databases and realistic simulation. Football Manager has been released annually without fail, making this cancellation a major break from tradition. In a statement, Sports Interactive explained that the game's player experience and interface were not meeting expectations, and delaying it further would push it too close to the next football season, making another release impractical within the same year.
Refunds are being offered for pre-orders made through official SEGA-approved retailers, and there will be no Football Manager 2024 data update, as the studio prioritizes development on future titles. Football Manager 25 was expected to be a major evolution for the series, transitioning to the Unity engine, but its development challenges led to controversy among fans. While the cancellation is disappointing, Sports Interactive is committed to ensuring the long-term success of the franchise.