As you can probably tell from the litany of articles we’ve done on it, Football Manager 26 had a very rocky launch. The long-running simulation series, known for its deep tactics and spreadsheet-level detail, has found itself under fire from fans this year. Players brutally criticized the game on every platform. A lot of them are calling FM26 “the worst FM ever.” There have been major complaints about the UI and the bugs. It was so bad that the game launched with “Mostly Negative” reviews on Steam.
But here’s the surprising part — despite all that noise, people are still playing. A lot of people, in fact.
Despite The Criticism, FM26 Is Still Pulling Big Numbers
According to SteamCharts, Football Manager 26 hit a 24-hour peak of over 79,000 concurrent players and is averaging around 60,000 people. Its all-time peak sits at 82,750, a number that many games would envy even on launch weekend. For a title that’s been hammered online, those figures show that the love of virtual football remains strong.
So what’s going on? Part of it comes down to the Football Manager phenomenon itself. For many, this series is more than just a game. The FM fanbase is extremely loyal to the franchise. Whether it’s taking a new team to Champions League glory or rebuilding a fallen giant, FM fans keep coming back for it. It becomes more than just a game — it becomes a passionate hobby.
That loyalty may be what’s keeping FM26 afloat. The conversation online might sound brutal, but the numbers suggest players are sticking around. Many of them are hoping patches will fix the problems. Then, there is also the fact that there is no true alternative to FM.
No game offers this level of detail in managing a team. Whether it’s setting up tactics before a match, managing your staff, or scouting the newest talent, FM at its core is extremely fun. So, despite its flaws, people still manage to enjoy that core part. I think our review headline best describes it — “Brilliant Game in a Clunky Shell”.
Love it or hate it, Football Manager 26 proves one thing: even when it’s the “worst FM ever,” it’s still the one everyone’s playing.
