Sega and Sports Interactive have made the difficult decision to cancel Football Manager 25 across all platforms. This marks the first time the long-running series has skipped a year since its inception in 2004. Sports Interactive had previously touted FM25 as "the biggest technical and visual advancement for the series in a generation," but the transition to the Unity game engine presented significant challenges, particularly affecting the player experience and interface.

The announcement, part of Sega Sammy Holdings’ recent financial results, includes a writedown of associated costs. Sports Interactive explained the decision in a blog post, emphasizing extensive internal discussions and careful consideration with Sega. Sega has confirmed that no job losses resulted from this cancellation.

There will be no Football Manager 24 update with 2024/25 season data. Sports Interactive stated that diverting resources for such an update would compromise the development of FM26. Discussions are underway with platform holders and licensors regarding potential extensions of FM24 agreements on subscription services like Game Pass.

FM25 faced two prior delays before its ultimate cancellation, with the most recent target date set for March 2025. Sports Interactive is now fully focused on Football Manager 26, anticipated for its usual November release window. Refunds are being offered to those who pre-ordered FM25.

Sports Interactive acknowledged the significant disappointment this news will cause, particularly given the previous delays and anticipation for the game's reveal. They apologized for the delayed announcement, citing stakeholder compliance and regulatory requirements. The developer reiterated its commitment to delivering high-value games and explained that despite significant progress in many areas, the overall player experience and interface did not meet their standards, a fact validated by extensive testing. Releasing the game in its current state was deemed unacceptable, and a post-March release was considered too late in the football season.

The cancellation allows the team to concentrate fully on ensuring FM26 meets the expected quality. Further updates on FM26's progress will be shared as they become available. The company thanked fans for their patience and continued support.