Just when you think you have things figured out with your players in Football Manager 26, you find yourself at loggerheads with the board. Nowhere is this more of a challenge than when requesting a new stadium, which can be a challenging ask. While there is no magic recipe to guarantee approval, understanding whether you need a new stadium and when to ask for it is crucial to making a good stadium decision.
Here’s our guide to maximize your chances of getting your next stadium right when you face the board.
Are You Ready For A New Stadium In Football Manager 26
Before getting started with your new stadium construction plans, it’s important to take some time to consider if a new stadium is even the right play right now. Here are the important benefits and costs associated with building a new stadium in Football Manager 26:
Pros
- Bring In More Money: The most obvious benefit of a new ground is that it will be designed to generate more matchday revenue. More seating at a better stadium makes for a more appealing opportunity for fans to attend, and the room to fit them in when they decide to. While it comes with a short-term hit, potentially a significant one, the future benefits of new revenue can continue for the rest of your save.
- Grow Your Standing: Anytime you’re asking for something new, it helps if you and the club have a reputation to justify the request. A new manager at a club who has not proven themself is much less likely to be approved for a new build compared to an established manager with multiple successful seasons at a club.
Cons
- High Costs: While long-term, a new stadium can be highly beneficial to your finances, up front, it is anything but. The cost of building your new construction will likely have a cascading effect on the finances of the club in any scenario where you don’t have an uberwealthy owner who can foot the bill without hiccups.
- Only One Shot: Because of limits on how often you can carry out a new build at a club, all but the longest of long plays will present only one opportunity to expand at a club due to the long cooldown before your board will consider a new one. This means that it’s beneficial to wait until you’ve reached a level where you’ll build a stadium big enough for where you’re heading, not where you are.
How To Improve Your Chances Of Getting A New Stadium In Football Manager 26
Convincing your board is an art, not a science, so before you enter into negotiations, it’s important to know that a new stadium simply may not be a realistic option for your club at all. In getting screenshots for this piece, I knew my sixth division club didn’t have a chance of a yes, for example. Here are the key considerations you can track and work on before going to the club to request the new build to maximize the chances of a successful appeal to the board.
- Check Its Age: The first thing to understand is that a club with a new stadium is not going to be interested in spending on another one. The general guide is that no stadium under 25 years old will be approved for replacement.
- Work On Finances: A certain type of football fan will tell you they think the Emirates development years are more impressive than the title wins Arsene Wenger managed. A new stadium is a major expense and will blow a hole in your finances, so make sure you have the cash and revenue stream required before considering asking the club to go all-in on a new project.
- Build Your Reputation: Your club’s reputation is one of the most important things to keep track of as you manage, as it factors into so many considerations. It’s not just about what caliber of players you can sign, but also the type of investment your board will be likely to make in the club. Win things consistently and climb up into the major leagues to show that your club needs the growth a new stadium would offer before approaching your board.
- Use Your Capital Wisely: If you have been successful at your club, or come in with a big reputation, holding onto you may be a priority for the board. You can leverage this as you would in other negotiations, but be careful what you opt for. Never make a promise or threat that you don’t think you can back up, or you may find yourself accidentally without a club when they call your bluff and sack you over a stadium dispute.
