Find out the expected Football Manager 2026 release date, beta timeline, and confirmed FM26 features including Unity engine & Premier League licence.
Discover FM26’s potential release window, beta access, and everything
confirmed so far
Football Manager 2026 Release Date – What We Know So Far
Every year, the Football Manager community circles one question above all others – when will the new FM come out? But this year, things are different. FM25 was scrapped, and Sports Interactive shifted everything towards FM26, making it one of the most ambitious editions ever. With the switch to the Unity engine, the Premier League finally licensed, and Women’s Football integrated, FM26 is already shaping up as a landmark release.
So when can you expect Football Manager 2026 to drop? Let’s dive into past release patterns, confirmed news, and realistic predictions.
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- ℹ️ Official news
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Sports Interactive have already confirmed the
Football Manager 2026 release window.
👉 Check out the official announcement here.
Looking Back – Past Release Dates
Traditionally, Football Manager launches in early to mid-November, with beta access arriving around two weeks before the full release. Here’s a quick look back:
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FM24: Released 6 November 2023 (beta 2 weeks earlier)
- FM23: Released 8 November 2022
- FM22: Released 9 November 2021
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FM21: Released 24 November 2020 (delayed due to COVID)
- FM20: Released 19 November 2019
- FM19: Released 2 November 2018
➡ The pattern is clear – FM normally lands in the first half of November, unless major delays occur.
What’s Confirmed for FM26
Sports Interactive have already revealed some massive changes:
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✅ Unity Engine – FM26 will be the first edition to run
on Unity, delivering smoother animations, improved match visuals, and an
overall graphical leap.
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✅ Premier League Licence – Finally, no more fake team
names or logos.
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✅ Women’s Football Integration – A brand-new way to
experience FM, long awaited by the community.
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✅ New Player Roles (Leaks) – According to forum leaks,
fresh tactical options are on the way.
Read more here
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✅ Trailer Breakdown – With EA Sports branding
appearing in the trailer, speculation is rife about collaborations.
Full breakdown here
Predicting the FM26 Release Date
Based on the series’ history, we would normally expect FM26 to launch in early November 2025, with beta access about two weeks earlier for pre-order customers.
However, this year is unique:
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The shift to Unity is the biggest technical change in FM history.
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The inclusion of Women’s Football means extra development work.
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FM25’s cancellation has extended the cycle, giving SI more time but also
raising the chance of a later release.
➡ Realistically, FM26 is most likely to release mid-to-late November 2025, with beta access in early November.
Pre-Order Bonuses and Beta Access
If history repeats itself, anyone pre-ordering through official retailers (Steam, Fanatical, CDKeys etc.) will gain early access beta roughly two weeks before launch. This beta save traditionally carries over to the full game – a big incentive to jump in early.
At FM Blog, we’ll have our Real Name Fix, Logo Pack and Facepack updated and ready the moment beta goes live, so you can start your save with the most authentic setup possible.
Community Buzz and Expectations
On forums and social media, fans are already debating what FM26 will mean for the future of the series. Some expect a groundbreaking step forward thanks to Unity, while others are cautious about performance on lower-end PCs. One thing’s for sure – this is the most hyped FM in years.
FAQs – FM26 Release Date
When will Football Manager 2026 be released?
Based on past editions, most likely mid-to-late November 2025.
When does the FM26 beta come out?
Usually around two weeks before the official release date.
Will FM26 have the Premier League licence?
Yes – officially confirmed by Sports Interactive.
Is Women’s Football in FM26?
Yes – fully integrated for the first time.
Final Thoughts
While Sports Interactive haven’t announced the exact date yet, all signs point towards a November 2025 release window. With the Unity engine, Premier League licence, and Women’s Football, FM26 is set to be the biggest leap the series has ever made.
Until then, we’ll keep you updated with every leak, announcement, and pre-order detail. Stay tuned, and start planning your first FM26 save!
