Football Manager 2025 Release Delayed

FM25 delayed until November 2025, major feature updates, international management removed but will return in FM26. Full details inside.

FM25 release delayed to November due to Unity engine challenges, international management returns for FM26.

Excitement was in the air for Football Manager 2025, but like every good match, sometimes there are unexpected delays! Miles Jacobson, in his latest blog post, confirmed that the game’s launch has been postponed until late November 2025, shifting the timeline due to the transition to the Unity engine. This shift is monumental, promising future performance improvements, but it's also responsible for the delay. The development team faces new challenges, leading to tweaks in features and timelines.

We had initially expected an October release, as discussed here, but the move to Unity comes with significant technical demands. This new engine is vital for the game’s long-term evolution, but for now, it’s causing a bottleneck.

Timeline Adjustments and Missing Features in FM25

The development timeline for FM25 has shifted dramatically. Now, with a late November release, Beta is expected to land in early November. The transition to Unity is ambitious, but it has forced some trade-offs. 

Here’s a list of features so far not making the cut for FM25:

• Touchline Shouts
• Social Media Screen
• Data Chalkboard
• Create-A-Club
• Versus Mode
• Challenge Mode
• Fantasy Draft
• International Management

However, the most impactful omission is International Management, a long-time fan favourite. While it's not going to be in FM25 (outside of the mobile version), it will return in Football Manager 2026, just in time for the expanded World Cup, featuring 48 nations. This will bring new dimensions and excitement to the game, and we can’t wait for its triumphant return.

Player Profile Updates and Feature Trims

In Football Manager 2025, player weight will no longer be visible. This decision stems from the work done on integrating women's football into the game. Through creating the Women's Football database, the developers found that women’s weight fluctuates more frequently than men’s. This led them to remove weight from all player profiles to better reflect realism across the board. While weight will still influence player fitness and performance behind the scenes, it won't be shown on the player profile screen.

Another significant development is the addition of women’s football, something the team is heavily investing in. You can read more about it in the official blog here.

Conclusion: What's Next for Football Manager?

Despite these setbacks, we still have much to look forward to. The team is working tirelessly to deliver the best possible experience, and while FM25 may arrive a bit later than expected and without some fan-favourite features, it’s clear that the improvements will benefit us in the long term. Keep your fingers crossed, and check out our wishlist for FM25. After all, as long as we have Football Manager, the game is far from over!