FM26 RELEASE DATE

Football Manager 2026 Release Date

When trying to predict the Football Manager 2026 release date, looking at past trends offers useful clues. Historically, Sports Interactive has launched new FM titles in early to mid-November. FM23 arrived on November 8, 2022, and FM24 followed a similar schedule with a release on November 6, 2023. However, FM25 was cancelled due to the studio’s shift to the Unity engine, effectively giving the developers a longer cycle for FM26.

This extended development period has two possible effects. On one hand, more time could mean a return to the usual early November window. On the other, the complexity of building the game on an entirely new engine and integrating major features like women’s football and the Premier League license may push the launch slightly later than usual. Sports Interactive has confirmed the game is scheduled for Fall 2025, a season that runs from September 22 to December 21 in the Northern Hemisphere.

Given these factors, the most likely release window for FM26 appears to be mid-November. This would align with tradition while still providing extra breathing room for polish and testing. A projected release date around Monday, November 17, 2025, would fit this pattern well, landing comfortably within the Fall window and following the studio’s typical launch cadence.

Based on previous editions, Early Access for Football Manager 2026 will likely begin around two weeks before the full release. If the predicted launch date is November 17, Early Access could start as early as November 3, 2025, giving players a head start on their careers.