Football Manager 25: Sports Interactive cancels highly anticipated release of popular game

Sports Interactive, the renowned game development company, has regrettably announced the cancellation of the highly anticipated 2025 edition of their beloved game, Football Manager. This decision comes as a disappointment to avid fans and followers who have eagerly awaited the latest installment. While the specific reasons behind the cancellation have not been disclosed, Sports Interactive expressed their regret and acknowledged the impact this news will have on the dedicated community. Recognizing the high standards they set for themselves, the company wanted to ensure that they deliver a game that meets or exceeds player expectations. Unfortunately, meeting these expectations within the allocated timeframe proved to be unattainable. Fans can take solace in the fact that Sports Interactive remains committed to delivering exceptional gaming experiences in the future. The decision to cancel this release is viewed as a strategic move to maintain the reputation of the Football Manager franchise, ensuring that subsequent editions continue to be groundbreaking and enjoyable. Despite the disappointment caused by this cancellation, it is essential to recognize the dedication and hard work that goes into the development of such renowned games. Sports Interactive's commitment to prioritizing quality over rushed releases is admirable and demonstrates their dedication to creating memorable experiences for their passionate fanbase. Football Manager enthusiasts will now have to wait patiently for the next iteration of the popular game, eagerly anticipating the new features, immersive gameplay, and strategic challenges it will undoubtedly offer. In the meantime, the company encourages fans to engage with the vibrant Football Manager community, explore user-generated content, and participate in other exciting activities related to the game. As loyal supporters rally behind Sports Interactive, they can expect the studio to take this extra time to refine and perfect the game in preparation for an even more remarkable release in the future.

The company had originally targeted a release date in early November but pushed it back to later in the month after citing a "challenging" development cycle. Then a further delay was announced in October but they have now pulled the plug completely on this year's release.

Sports Interactive said anyone who wished to claim a refund on their original pre-order will be allowed to do so.

Now fans of the game will have to wait until the next release which the company say they are making "every effort" to get live.

The statement read: "Sports Interactive regret to inform that, following extensive internal discussion and careful consideration with SEGA, we have made the difficult decision to cancel Football Manager 25 and shift our focus to the next release.

"For the large numbers of you who pre-ordered FM25, we thank you enormously for your trust and support - we're very sorry to have let you down.

"We know this will come as a huge disappointment, especially given that the release date has already moved twice, and you have been eagerly anticipating the first gameplay reveal.

"We can only apologise for the time it has taken to communicate this decision. Today was the earliest date that we could issue this statement.

"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.

"We could have pressed on, released FM25 in its current state, and fixed things down the line - but that's not the right thing to do. We were also unwilling to go beyond a March release as it would be too late in the football season to expect players to then buy another game later in the year.

"Through the cancellation, every effort is now focused on ensuring that our next release achieves our goal and hits the quality level we all expect. We will update you on how we are progressing with that as soon as we are able to do so."

FM25 was due to be the first edition of the series to use a new Unity game engine, while women's football was also to be introduced into the game for the first time.