Football Manager 25's Delay Could Leave the Series Sitting on a Powder Keg

It’s been over a week since Sports Interactive announced that the launch of the next iteration of the classic football management simulation franchise, Football Manager, would be delayed significantly. The decision blindsided practically the entire franchise’s fan base, although some writing on the wall had started to appear with an earlier minor delay and screenshots of the revamped match engine that left much to be desired. With Football Manager 25 officially penciled in for a March 2025 release, questions have been rising about Sports Interactive’s next steps for the franchise. Most pertinent of these concerns is what FM 25‘s delay means for future release calendars, leaving the Football Manager trademark in a bit of a pickle.

Long before its official launch program became public knowledge, FM 25 had many high hopes riding on its premise. Touted as the dawn of a new era for Sports Interactive, the developer sought to spruce up several franchise mainstays to give subsequent iterations a proper modern look and diverge from the tried-and-tested – and perhaps aging – stylistic formula. However, the excitement surrounding Football Manager 25 has gradually waned since the rather lackluster reveal of reworked stat sheets, with the long delay now serving as the last straw of disappointment. While hurting the feelings of its faithful fan base may not have lasting ramifications, the brand faces a tough decision of whether or not to adopt a new release calendar.

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FM 25’s Delay Puts Sports Interactive Between a Rock and a Hard Place

It’s become a tradition for Sports Interactive to drop the latest edition of its premiere franchise in early November, so the first signs of stress in the developer’s blueprint started to appear when FM 25 was delayed till November 26. Although a cause for concern, it soon became available for pre-order, signaling that all was well beyond a few cosmetic changes to Football Manager‘s match engine. That’s no longer the case, and the March 2025 release date has real consequences for Sports Interactive and SEGA to consider.

Firstly, the franchise won’t have the usual influx of players and income it needs to sustain its expenses come November. Financial statements are typically observed yearly, and November is the start of a new fiscal year for Sports Interactive. The delay to March 2025 ensures that the developer won’t have any substantial earnings from the Football Manager franchise for about four months, which could rock its operational apple cart.

FM 25’s New Release Date Could Jeopardize Sports Interactive’s Business Strategy

Additionally, and perhaps more worryingly for the team, is the willingness of the average fan to purchase the new game when it eventually launches. Football Manager‘s adoption of a November release cycle capitalizes on its nearness to the summer transfer window’s conclusion, and in turn, the relative newness of the football season. With its March release date, the 2024/25 season would be nearing completion in most of Football Manager‘s playable leagues, so it stands to reason that FM 25 wouldn’t have the same attraction factor as previous editions – which spells danger for earnings.

Beyond the potential financial problem, FM 25’s shelf life remains a valid concern. If Sports Interactive were to stick to its November formula, FM 25 would only retain relevance for about six months before the next edition rolls out. In such a scenario, it’s not hard to envision a sizeable portion of fans skipping the upcoming title to wait for FM 26.

The developer faces a tough choice either way; to stay its trusted November course for FM 26 and beyond, thus biting the bullet of a short FM 25 relevance period, or permanently switching to a March calendar for future editions. If the former is the case, more delays for future editions to maximize their earning potential might not be out of the picture, creating a vicious cycle. A switch to March release dates isn’t the best of approaches either, as the franchise risks losing some of its glossy attraction. The path Sports Interactive will take remains to be seen, but it’s one that could determine the future of its most prized asset.