In a shock move for the popular simulation game, Sega has delayed the launch of Football Manager 25 until March 2025, meaning its release will be just two months before the 2025 Champions League Final.
We have made the tough decision to delay the release of Football Manager 25 until March 2025.
Statement: https://t.co/zW7dRd1Lkp pic.twitter.com/UKPnz4l0Gb
— Football Manager (@FootballManager) October 10, 2024
Developer Sports Interactive and Sega issued a statement calling it a “difficult decision” and stating that specific launch dates for the platforms will be determined once they are confirmed. The statement continued: “In our latest development update in September, we explained that we needed to postpone the original release date of FM25 to give ourselves more time to deliver the best possible experience for this first installment in a new era of Football Manager. This additional time was not enough to ensure quality “The game and the experience meet your expectations and our very high standards.”
The statement goes on to explain that “the development cycle has been challenging” for Sports Interactive, and that things have been “moving slower than we expected.” This led to concerns that the development team “was simply in too much of a hurry and was at risk of compromising our usual standards”.
The studio claims this is “the biggest technical and visual advance in the series for a generation” and “a critical turning point in the history of Football Manager”, making a postponement inevitable. Sega and Sports Interactive thanked fans who pre-ordered the game for their trust but also invited them to contact their retailer if they want a refund. The studio also said that early access will be available before the new release date. It is expected that the full gameplay will be revealed at the end of January.
The statement added: “We fully realize that this will be extremely disappointing for you. We share this frustration and are deeply sorry.”
This is a major delay for a Football Manager game that is usually released every November. This highly regarded game is a constant among football fans who spend hundreds or even thousands of hours managing clubs ranging from giants like Manchester City to small clubs like Notts County. It is known for its great level of depth and the wonderful stories that can come out of it.
When Football Manager 25 is released, it will be available on PS5, PC and Xbox, where it will again be available on Xbox Game Pass.
