The release of Football Manager 2025 has been delayed until March 2025.
Following extensive discussions with SEGA, licensors, and partners, it was concluded that more time is needed to ensure the game meets expectations. The specific platform release dates will be confirmed at a later date.
Typically, a new FM game is released in early November, and the launch of FM25 was due to come slightly later in the month than usual, on November 26. FM24, FM23 and FM22 were released on November 6, 2023, November 8, 2022 and November 8, 2021 respectively.
In a development update shared in September, the initial November launch date had already been pushed back, with Football Manager citing the need for additional time to refine the game. However, the extra months have proven insufficient to deliver the level of quality fans and developers expect.
“We simply cannot compromise the delivery of this crucial juncture in Football Manager’s history by rushing to release it in November,” Football Manager said in a statement. It was also emphasised that FM25 represents the “biggest technical and visual advancement in the series for a generation” and stressed that meeting this standard requires further time.
While acknowledging the disappointment the delay will bring, the company highlighted the strain on their team during the development cycle.
“Many things have been moving slower than we had predicted,” the statement explained.
Fans who pre-ordered the game will have the option to request refunds. It also confirmed that advanced access for PC/Mac will still be available prior to the new release date, with further details to follow.
The new gameplay reveal has now been pushed to the end of January 2025.
One of the most significant new features in FM25 is the introduction of women’s football, with a database of more than 25,000 female players. Additionally, all 20 Premier League clubs will be fully licensed with official logos, kits, and player photos. This comes as a result of a multi-year partnership between Sports Interactive, the game’s developer, and the Premier League.
FM25 will also introduce a revamped user interface (UI), powered by the Unity engine, which it says will be the “biggest technical and visual advancement for the series in a generation”. Such a major overhaul hasn’t been seen since the release of Championship Manager 4 in March 2003.
(Football Manager)
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