OOTP Developments have announced Franchise Hockey Manager 12 will release on October 23 on Steam.
Franchise Hockey Manager returns for its 12th edition in the 2025-26 season, continuing to build on the hockey management experience for strategy fans. Players can choose from leagues across the world and take control of their favorite club with the official NHL license allowing them to chase the Stanley Cup. There’s also the option to guide a national team and compete for international glory.
FHM 12 expands its historical play modes, letting fans start in any year of NHL history, take part in classic minor leagues or step into legendary international tournaments. New this year is the ability to play in the World Championships dating back to 1929, offering even more ways to experience hockey’s past. Those who prefer a personal touch can also build custom leagues, complete with international play, shaping the sport’s landscape however they like.
Players continuing from FHM11 can import their existing saves and pick up right where they left off, now with the latest updates and features. Whether it’s handling trades, drafting young talent, managing finances or building a coaching staff, FHM12 gives fans the tools to shape their team’s future and turn a contender into a dynasty.
The FHM producer and community manager break down the new features coming to Franchise Hockey Manager 12. We’ve highlighted some of the key additions and shared some screenshots below, but you can catch the full rundown in the video.
New Features
- Preseason training programs can be selected and directed to help your players make big improvements before the season starts
- Targeted training during the season can help direct your players into the exact improvements you want to see
- An improved Draft Day Experience, including ongoing deal-making and news coverage as the draft is underway
- Trade news has been significantly enhanced, including observations about the reasons the trade was made
- We’ve continued to modify and improve the AI’s roster handling and player management, and cleaned up a large number of small issues that were detracting from performance and realism
- Historical mode has added the World Championships: all the historical World Championship tournaments back to 1929 are now included
- Better tactics management: sets of tactics can now be saved and re-loaded
- Player generation has had further improvements, making superstars rarer but adding the long-shot possibility of a generational-level talent appearing that will eventually (if all goes well) stand with the best of the best in hockey history
- A new in-game help system so the information you need is there when you need it
- The big flow of good major junior players into college hockey has been implemented, and the college transfer portal activity has been ramped up
- New league reports: staff ratings and alumni rankings, so you can compare your carefully assembled staff to those around the league, and discover which teams in the league have been producing players that go on to bigger and better things
- As always, complete team and player updates for the new 2025-26 season, as well as smaller changes
