A screenshot-led tour of FM26’s reimagined UI - based on the official reveal video
Start with the official FM26 UI showcase video below. Then follow along as we break down each key screen with its own image and blunt notes on what actually changes and how it saves clicks. This is a hands-off first look - no gameplay, just confirmed details from the reveal.
Quick summary - FM26 introduces a central Portal, customisable Bookmarks, a cleaner Calendar, an in-game knowledge layer called FMPedia, a clearer Player Profile and a smarter global Search. It is still Football Manager - only faster to read and quicker to act on. Images are representative - the final experience may differ.
- Portal overview
- Bookmarks - pin your shortcuts
- Calendar - plan two busy weeks in seconds
- FMPedia - clarity without leaving your screen
- Player Profile - information you can scan at speed
- Search Now - find entities, info and guides
- FM26 vs FM24 - practical click audit
- FAQ
Portal overview
The Portal is your new home. Messages on the left, a live news tile and fixture panel on the right, plus a compact Calendar and league table. Filters like All - New - Tasks - Unread help you prioritise decisions instead of doom scrolling. Expect your morning admin to happen on one screen.
Bookmarks - pin your shortcuts
Bookmarks let you pick the areas you touch every session - Messages, First Team, Tactics, Player Database, Transfer Activity, Competitions and more. Start with a curated set then swap to fit your save goals. Less menu diving - more doing.
Calendar - plan two busy weeks in seconds
The Calendar is cleaner and easier to parse. Switch views like General - Training - Fixtures, drop in friendlies, and clock when the window opens. It is built for quick planning so you can rotate smartly and avoid fatigue spikes.
FMPedia - clarity without leaving your screen
FMPedia brings definitions, related areas and quick links into the UI. Reading about Squads - or any concept - opens a contextual card with related destinations such as Youth Squad, Player Positions and Squad Registration. Learn once - then jump straight to action.
Player Profile - information you can scan at speed
The Player Profile keeps the classic attribute grid while surfacing role fit, happiness, fitness, form and training progress as compact tiles. It cuts back-and-forth checking when you are deciding on roles, rotation or transfer targets.
Search Now - find entities, info and guides
Search is no longer just for players or clubs. Type a concept like Training and you will see entities, messages and related items. It behaves like a command palette - a habit worth building if you want to stop hunting through menus.
FM26 vs FM24 - practical click audit
Based on the reveal, here is a realistic estimate of routine tasks and why they should be faster in FM26.
| Task | FM24 steps | FM26 steps | Why faster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning admin | Inbox - Calendar - Training | Portal overview | Consolidated hub with clear filters |
| Role or rules lookup | Help or wiki - swap tabs | Search term - open FMPedia | Search returns guides in context |
| Jump to favourite list | Menu - Sub-menu - List | Bookmark | Pinned shortcut skips menus |
| Plan congested runs | Squad - Training - Calendar | Calendar view from Portal | Readable month view with filters |
| Find staff responsibilities | Club - Responsibilities - scroll | Search - open tile | Command palette behaviour |
FAQ
Is the FM26 UI actually faster than FM24
In routine management - yes. Portal, Bookmarks and Search reduce menu hopping while FMPedia cuts hesitation.
Can I customise the Portal
You can filter messages and lean on integrated tiles like fixtures and the calendar. Depth remains one click away.
What does Search now cover
Entities plus information and navigation. Think Training, FFP, responsibilities and more.
Will this help on low-spec laptops
Indirectly. Cleaner layouts mean fewer clicks and less context switching. For performance specifics see our FM26 system requirements guide.
Related reading on FM Blog
- FM26 release date
- FM26 system requirements
- FM26 match day first look
- Rumoured new leagues in FM26
- Women’s database revealed
Conclusion
FM26’s UI is a quality-of-life upgrade, not a revolution. The Portal centralises daily admin, Bookmarks and Search reduce menu hopping, FMPedia gives instant clarity, and the Player Profile reads at a glance. If you thrive on youth development, squad building or data-heavy saves, you will feel the difference on day one. We will update this piece after hands-on time - drop your questions or pain points in the comments and we will test them.
