After weeks of mounting speculation, Sports Interactive has confirmed that Football Manager 26‘s Advanced Access Beta is nearly ready, though players will have to wait a little longer for a firm release date.
In a brief statement shared on social media, the studio addressed the growing chatter around the beta’s launch window.
Understandably, over the past 24 hours there’s been increased speculation about the Advanced Access Beta. We’re just finalising the details and we’ll have a concrete date to share with you next week. We’re nearly there.
That clarification follows a surge of discussion across forums and Reddit after multiple retailers and regional Steam listings hinted that early access might begin soon. While no official date has been locked in, Sports Interactive’s message confirms that final preparations are underway, suggesting the long-awaited beta could drop within the next week or two. As of right now, we are about three weeks removed from Football Manager 26‘s full launch on November 4. Therefore, I’d expect it within the next week, though that is pure speculation on my part.
The Advanced Access Beta — formerly known as “Early Access” — allows players who pre-purchase the game to start their managerial careers ahead of the official launch. Save files typically carry over to the full version, making this one of the most anticipated moments of the annual release cycle.
Football Manager 26 marks the series’ debut on the Unity engine, bringing overhauled visuals, a revamped UI, women’s football, and deeper tactical systems. These advancements have come at a cost, though — international management will be missing, despite it being the last FM title released before the 2026 World Cup. Despite that puzzling omission, many fans are eager to test out Football Manager 26, especially with it being the first entry into the franchise since FM24 in 2023.
With Sports Interactive promising more concrete information soon, Football Manager fans may finally be nearing kickoff for one of the most significant entries in the franchise’s history.
