Sega has surprised many by announcing that Football Manager 25 will not be released until March 2025, just two months before the European Champions League Final. Originally meant to come out sooner, the game had its date moved back further as developers Sports Interactive said they needed more time to get this inaugural edition of the upcoming era right.
More About Football Manager 25 Delay
Sega, in its own statement, did disclose that the decision was tough and that the extended development time hasn’t been enough to meet both player expectations and the studio’s ambition of a high-quality release. The team admitted it was in for a “difficult development cycle”, so progress has been slower than first hoped. Some feared the team was rushing things and what we might get in return would be a lesser version of their usual quality.
This installment is touted as the most significant technical and visual advancement in the series for a generation, marking a critical point in Football Manager’s history, which is why the delay was deemed necessary. Sega and Sports Interactive said they were grateful to fans who had pre-ordered the game, but urged anyone wanting a refund to get in touch with their retailer. They also said they would offer early access prior to the new launch date, and confirm a full gameplay reveal at the end of January.
That will be a significant delay for a show that has historically landed in its mid-November groove. Football Manager is dear to the hearts of many a football fan, who will routinely sink hundreds – and in special cases like mine, thousands – of hours into managing the likes all the way from giants Manchester City down to minnows Notts County. The game’s complexity and great storytelling genius had embraced people all over the world, and even many fans went so far as to travel hundreds of kilometers just to see a match with some smaller club opposing.
Football Manager 25 should be a big update, including fully licensed Premier League teams and paving the way for women’s football to blend into a seamless experience. This version will include more playable leagues and nations than ever before and will utilize Unity for major technical and visual enhancements. Upon release, the game will be available on PS5, PC, and Xbox, including access through Xbox Game Pass.
FAQs
Why was Football Manager 25 delayed?
Sega and Sports Interactive cited a challenging development cycle, stating they needed more time to ensure the game’s quality and to meet high expectations.
When will Football Manager 25 be released?
The game is now scheduled for release in March 2025, just two months before the European Champions League Final.