Sports Interactive and Sega have announced the cancellation of Football Manager 25 across all platforms. This marks the first time the long-running series has skipped a year since its inception in 2004. The decision follows significant challenges encountered during development, primarily related to the transition to the Unity game engine. The developer cited issues with the overall player experience and interface as key factors leading to the cancellation.

The announcement, part of Sega Sammy Holdings' recent financial report, includes a writedown of associated development costs. Sega has confirmed that no job losses will result from this decision. Sports Interactive addressed fans in a blog post, expressing regret for the disappointment and offering refunds to those who pre-ordered.

The developer explained that releasing FM25 in its current state would not meet their quality standards. Further delays were deemed unacceptable due to the late football season. Therefore, the focus has shifted to Football Manager 26, targeting the usual November release window. Discussions are underway with platform holders and licensors regarding potential extensions of FM24 agreements on subscription services. There will be no FM24 update with 2024/25 season data. The team emphasized their commitment to delivering a high-quality product and thanked fans for their understanding and continued support.