Sports Interactive, the developer behind the acclaimed Football Manager series, has announced the cancellation of Football Manager 2025 (FM25) after a series of postponements. Initially slated for a November 2024 release, the game was first delayed to March 2025 before the decision was made to cancel it entirely.
In an official statement, Sports Interactive expressed regret over the cancellation, acknowledging the disappointment among fans who had eagerly anticipated the new installment. The developers cited challenges in meeting the desired quality standards, particularly concerning the player experience and user interface, despite significant efforts from the team.
The statement read: “We have always prided ourselves on delivering the best value for money games that bring you countless hours of enjoyment, that feel worth every moment and every penny you spend. With the launch of FM25, we set out to create the biggest technical and visual advancement in the series for a generation, laying the building blocks for a new era.”
The development team faced unforeseen challenges that prevented them from achieving their ambitious goals for FM25. Rather than releasing a product that did not meet their standards or delaying it further into the football season, they chose to cancel the release and focus on future projects. Fans who pre-ordered FM25 will receive automatic refunds.
Looking ahead, Sports Interactive is concentrating its efforts on the next installment, Football Manager 2026, which is expected to launch later this year. The team is committed to ensuring that the upcoming release meets the high expectations of its dedicated player base.
