Football Manager 25 Release Delayed Again: What You Need to Know

Football Manager 25 has seen its release date pushed to March 2025, marking the second major delay for the popular football management sim. Originally set to launch in November 2024, Sports Interactive made the difficult decision after discussions with Sega and other partners to allow more time for development.

Why the Delay?

The delay stems from the ambitious nature of FM25, which is set to introduce significant technical and visual advancements in the franchise. The developers admitted that progress has been slower than expected, despite the team working at a rapid pace. With timelines too tight and a risk of rushing, the decision was made to prioritize quality over an earlier release.

In a statement, Sports Interactive emphasized that the upcoming release is critical for the future of Football Manager and that they couldn’t afford to compromise their usual standards. By postponing the launch to March 2025, they hope to deliver the best possible experience to fans.

In our last Development Update in September, we explained that we needed to push FM25’s original release back to give ourselves more time to deliver the best possible experience for this first instalment in a new era of Football Manager.

Statement from the Developer

What’s Coming with FM25?

FM25 represents the most significant leap in the series in terms of technology and visuals. The development team is investing in improvements across the board, from the UI to gameplay mechanics. According to the studio, FM25 will not just be an iteration of FM24 but a full-on revamp that lays the foundation for the future of the Football Manager series. Players can expect enhanced features, better graphics, and more streamlined management tools to elevate the experience.

FM25 is the biggest technical and visual advancement in the series for a generation. We simply cannot compromise the delivery of this crucial juncture in Football Manager’s history by rushing to release it in November. Of course, this is not where any of us expected to be seven weeks out from our release but, in the spirit of our studio values, we always consider the bigger picture – and the bigger picture here is that we need this additional time to deliver a game that we can all be proud of.

Statement from the Developer.

Advanced Access and Refunds

For those who have already pre-ordered Football Manager 25, refunds are being offered via the retailer due to the delay. However, PC and Mac users can look forward to Advanced Access before the full release, although specific dates for that early access period have not been confirmed yet.

Sports Interactive also stated that the new gameplay reveal, initially scheduled for 30th September, will now take place at the end of January 2025, giving fans something to look forward to as they await the official launch.

Looking Forward to March 2025

Although the news of a delay is disappointing for many fans, the decision to push the release reflects the studio’s commitment to delivering a high-quality game. FM25 will likely be worth the wait, especially considering the technical advancements and fresh gameplay experiences promised by the development team.

Football management fans can take solace in knowing that, when the game finally does arrive in March 2025, it will be a polished and innovative instalment that sets a new standard for the franchise.