In a shocking turn of events, Sports Interactive and SEGA have officially cancelled Football Manager 25 (FM25), marking a historic first for the long-running franchise. Originally slated for a November 2024 release, then delayed to March 2025, the game has now been completely scrapped, leaving fans both stunned and furious.
The cancellation follows massive technical struggles, particularly with the series’ transition to the Unity engine, which has reportedly caused major setbacks. Many fans, who were already skeptical about the changes, have now branded the situation “the biggest mess in gaming history.”
Why Was Football Manager 25 Cancelled?
According to Sports Interactive, FM25’s development was not progressing at the expected quality standard, and after multiple delays, the team felt it was better to scrap the project entirely rather than release an unfinished product.
In an official statement, Miles Jacobson, Studio Director at Sports Interactive, addressed the difficult decision:
“We always strive to deliver the best possible experience for our fans. However, after multiple reviews, it became clear that FM25 was not meeting our expectations. We felt that rather than compromise on quality, it was best to focus on delivering a much stronger Football Manager 26.”
While the studio claims this decision is about maintaining quality, many fans see it as a disaster for the franchise, questioning why the game was announced in the first place if development was already troubled.
Fan Backlash: ‘The Biggest Mess in Gaming History’
The cancellation has led to an explosion of frustration on social media, with many calling it an unprecedented failure for the series:
- On Reddit, one fan wrote:
“First, they ruin FM24 with broken mechanics, then they cancel FM25 entirely? How does a studio this experienced mess up this badly?” - On Twitter, another player raged:
“This has to be the biggest mess in gaming history. No FM game has EVER been cancelled before. What a joke.” - Some fans are calling for refunds, arguing that early purchases of FM24 were marketed with the promise of FM25 features.
While some have shown understanding, praising Sports Interactive for not rushing a broken game, most of the reactions remain overwhelmingly negative, as many feel this move damages trust in the franchise.
