FM25 has been cancelled so the team can focus on FM26 instead, in a crushing blow to millions of football fans from around the world.
The game had been delayed several times before an announcement last night confirmed it wouldn't be coming out at all.
They have decided, 'after extensive internal discussion and careful consideration' to focus on next year's game instead.
Sports Interactive, who develop the game along with Sega, have also confirmed that Football Manager 24 won't be updated either.
FM25 has been cancelled so the team can focus on FM26 instead, in a crushing blow to millions of football fans from around the world
SEGA/SPORTSINTERACTIVE
This is so they can put all their resources into creating a terrific new game, rather than merely updating an old one.
And Sports Interactive have apologised for the cancellation, insisting they're 'very sorry' to have let fans down.
“For the large numbers of you who pre-ordered FM25, we thank you enormously for your trust and support – we’re very sorry to have let you down," they said.
"We know this will come as a huge disappointment, especially given that the release date has already moved twice, and you have been eagerly anticipating the first gameplay reveal.
"We can only apologise for the time it has taken to communicate this decision.
"Due to stakeholder compliance, including legal and financial regulations, today was the earliest date that we could issue this statement.
"We have always prided ourselves on delivering the best value for money games that bring you countless hours of enjoyment, that feel worth every moment and every penny you spend.
"With the launch of FM25 we set out to create the biggest technical and visual advancement in the series for a generation, laying the building blocks for a new era.
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"Due to a variety of challenges that we've been open about to date, and many more unforeseen, we currently haven't achieved what we set out to do in enough areas of the game, despite the phenomenal efforts of our team.
"Each decision to delay the release was made with the aim of getting the game closer to the desired level but, as we approached critical milestones at the turn of the year, it became unmistakably clear that we would not achieve the standard required, even with the adjusted timeline.
"Whilst many areas of the game have hit our targets, the overarching player experience and interface is not where we need it to be.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Sports Interactive regret to inform that we have made the difficult decision to cancel Football Manager 25.
— Football Manager (@FootballManager) February 7, 2025
Full statement: https://t.co/0eUMryrqbg pic.twitter.com/9kxgXQCgJG
"As extensive evaluation has demonstrated, including consumer playtesting, we have clear validation for the new direction of the game and are getting close - however, we're too far away from the standards you deserve.
"We could have pressed on, released FM25 in its current state, and fixed things down the line - but that's not the right thing to do.
"We were also unwilling to go beyond a March release as it would be too late in the football season to expect players to then buy another game later in the year.
"Through the cancellation, every effort is now focused on ensuring that our next release achieves our goal and hits the quality level we all expect.
FM24 won't be updated despite FM25 being cancelled
SEGA/SPORTSINTERACTIVE
"We will update you on how we are progressing with that as soon as we are able to do so.
"Thank you for reading, your patience and your continued support. Our full focus now returns to creating a new era for Football Manager."
FM25 had been due to come out in late November, only for March to then be confirmed as the release date.
However, football fans will now have to contend themselves playing FM24 instead.
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