After the cancellation of Football Manager 25 earlier this year, Sports Interactive and publisher Sega have finally lifted the curtain on the next installment: Football Manager 26.
The official reveal arrived this morning via a quick 30-second teaser video, which gives fans of the series a quick glimpse at the game’s revamped aesthetics, powered by a full transition to the Unity engine, which replaces the proprietary engine the series has been using for years now. While the actual gameplay remains off-screen, the footage delivers a polished matchday experience featuring realistic visuals, rendered sequences, and the new Premier League license. Of course, it will be at least a few months until the title’s full release, so gameplay footage is marked by a message at the bottom of the screen that reads “Actual Gameplay – Not Final.”
In their official statement, Sega and Sports Interactive describe Football Manager 26 as “our most immersive and visually rich Football Manager experience yet,” emphasizing a renewed focus on the emotional and narrative engagement of simulation, drawing players “closer to the heart of the beautiful game.”
Obviously, longtime fans of the series who were left disappointed by the cancellation of Football Manager 25 will be waiting for a more in-depth look when it comes to the new Unity-powered match engine. The teaser trailer makes mention of that, but doesn’t mention a date — only “Coming Soon.”
The cancellation of Football Manager 25 back in February was controversial amongst fans, to say the least, but was attributed to persistent delays and concerns about quality. Among the features cut from FM25 were the anticipated debut of women’s football and several other modes, including international management. Following the game’s cancellation, fans immediately hoped for a more well-polished follow-up with 26 if and when it finally launched.
With FM26, Sports Interactive appears to be delivering on that promise. Spanish outlet MeriStation makes mention of women’s football in its report, so that bodes well for players expecting that component to be present in the game.
While release platforms and an official release date remain unconfirmed, reports suggest a likely appearance on Xbox consoles, and speculation even hints at a Game Pass day-one release. What’s pretty much guaranteed is that the game will release on the PC, as that has been the series’ home since the beginning.
We’ll keep you up to date on everything going on with the upcoming release of Football Manager 26 in the coming weeks as more information is revealed.
