Football Manager 26 to be released this fall

GAMING NEWS Fyra Frost - Sep 12, 2025, 10:50

The wait is almost over for football management fans. Football Manager 26 will officially release on 4 November 2025 across PC, Mac, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Game Pass. A month later, on 4 December, the Nintendo Switch edition (FM26 Touch) will join the lineup, giving players who prefer to play on handheld platforms their own version of the game.

An enhanced experience

Football Manager 26 is much more than an updated version of the same experience. Sports Interactive has described the game as a landmark release, thanks to the introduction of several long-awaited upgrades. Most notably, the game is moving to the Unity engine, a change that will deliver sharper visuals, smoother animations, and a modernised interface. Matchday presentation has been completely overhauled with new volumetric animations, enhanced lighting, and a more authentic atmosphere that mirrors real-life stadium experiences.

The user interface has also been redesigned, aiming to give managers more control and clarity over their decision-making. Early previews highlight streamlined menus and improved dashboards, making it easier to track squad performance, tactics, and scouting in one place. These refinements are expected to reduce time spent navigating menus and increase immersion in managing the day-to-day of a football club.

Football Manager 26 will feature official Premier League licensing, a major win for authenticity. Players will see genuine club crests, kits, and player photos, marking a significant leap in presentation quality. Alongside this, women's football will make its debut as a fully integrated part of the series. Rather than existing as a separate mode, women’s teams and leagues will share the same database and ecosystem as men’s football, reflecting the growing importance of the women’s game globally.

Another major addition is save game compatibility. Managers who've invested hundreds of hours into Football Manager 24 will be able to carry their careers forward into FM26, ensuring continuity for long-term saves. Console and Touch editions will benefit from this feature as well, though the mobile version will have more limited compatibility.

The scale of these updates is partly due to the unusual development cycle. Sports Interactive made the decision to cancel Football Manager 25, explaining that the ambitious transition to a new engine and new features needed more time to meet expectations. That extra year has allowed the team to polish Football Manager 26 more thoroughly, making it one of the most highly anticipated entries in the series’ history.

With visual upgrades, official league partnerships, the long-awaited inclusion of women’s football, and more accessible gameplay tools, Football Manager 26 will be a defining moment for the franchise, and one that fans will be eager to dive into this November. Remember to check out the system requirements on PC and visit our comparator to get the best discounts for Football Manager 26 with a single click.