Sports Interactive, the renowned developer of sports management simulations, has officially revealed the next installment in its flagship series: Football Manager 26 (FM26). This year’s iteration, Football Manager 25 (FM25), was initially from November 2024 to March 2025, only to be canceled. But the beloved sports management studio decided not to leave us hanging any longer with the announcement of Football Manager 26. The studio promises a new level of immersion and visual fidelity, with the game set to be its most ambitious yet.
When FM25 was delayed, the developers shared a release on their website which explained that the title had been planned to be the most significant technical advancement that the title had ever taken.
“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,” the studio wrote. “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.”

Suppose you’re unfamiliar with the management sim franchise. In that case, Football Manager is the world’s leading football management simulation title. It’s iconic, award-winning, and has a global reach that has grown over the last 20 years. In Football Manager games, players go to the heart of the beautiful game and create their own football story as manager of their favourite club.
With more than 50 of the top footballing nations to manage in and a database of more than 800,000 active players and staff from around the world of football, the game offers players tasks with making the key decisions at their club, offering an unrivalled simulation experience.
For FM24, our critic said, “As far as management simulators go, Football Manager 2024 remains among the absolute best of them.”
What’s Next For Football Manager 26?
Football Manager 26 aims to redefine storytelling in the series, bringing players closer to the core of the game. A significant focus is the elevated Match Day experience, now powered by the Unity engine. The official Premier League license provides a glimpse into the enhanced visuals and gameplay that players can expect.
Players can expect to define their footballing destiny in a journey filled with new features and a narrative-rich experience. The game is designed to put you at the heart of your favorite club, making the crucial decisions that shape its future.
Watch the Reveal Trailer
Football Manager 26 | GUESS WHO’S BACK | #FM26
Uploaded by Football Manager on 2025-08-12.
Football Manager 26 will release soon on PC.