Football Manager 2026

[moore_94]

2 hours ago, lcfc278 said:

I know it's not a game you play on console it's a PC game, but anyway I was bored yesterday so I downloaded it to my xbox gave it a go. I had a bad feeling at the manager 'creation' screen which looks like it's gone backwards tbh. Then I got about 45 minutes in to the game, I'd started sorting out the squad and staff and then it just inexplicably had an 'error' when I clicked continue and it closed itself down. When I rebooted the save file went back to the beginning of the season. Turned it off and won't bother again. I'm hoping the PC version isn't as much of a sh**show.

Still not sure why some people seemingly have a lot of issues and other don’t really have any

 

Me and my mate have had no crashes and no real bugs and have proper mid-tier setups

 

But I have seen people with high end PC’s have issues with regular crashes and game stopping bugs

[Aleksz]

Its nowhere near as bad as reviews would suggest, it has its flaws, its not perfect, things have been removed and there is a lot of bugs... but what new game doesn't? Like a few have pointed out on YouTube/X, the game gets released every year with a serious amount of bugs, we just get on with it and let SI sort it out. 

 

Think the fanbase is very scarred by the cancellation of FM25 and the poor communication that ensued and as a result expected an absolutely perfect game to compensate which was never going to happen after so much change and the obstacles they've come up against. 

 

Overall, is it as polished as FM24 - no, Is there bugs - yes, but its a decent game with cool new features. If you're looking at it with your football manager cap on, tell yourself its 2.5 star current ability with 5 star potential. 

[RonnieTodger]

There are obvious flaws, but the meltdown is pathetic. 

[Aleksz]

Absolutely loads of fixes and QOL improvements in the patch notes released last night. Just give this time and they’ll get there 

[Beliall]

im liking this so far. started my proper save today, unemployed pleb with no badges or experience. see where i get to. starting in turkey with Yeni Malatyspor, who have a 42 point deduction and 20million of debt. should be fun eh?  

oh and a transfer embargo until 2027

[Finnegan]

"They've gone to Unity engine to attract Fortnite players"

 

[moore_94]

22 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

"They've gone to Unity engine to attract Fortnite players"

 

I have played Fortnite for the first time in like 8 years after FM26 came out...

 

Although may also be due to wanting to explore The Simpsons map...

 

Not sure though 

[Fear Of The Fox]

3 hours ago, Finnegan said:

"They've gone to Unity engine to attract Fortnite players"

 

Had to find a ridiculous way to emphasise my point. 😀

[Gamble92]

The console version is literally unplayable. At first I was really digging it but wow. Subs don't even come on. Crashed every time. So many issues. To the point where I cannot believe they allowed it to come out.

 

I think the PC version has had their full attention in terms of getting as many bugs fixed but even that was a disgrace to release with so much wrong after all this time.

 

I do really like the layout they have gone with though. Don't quite get the backlash for that. 

 

But I do fully understand why everyone is so annoyed to wait this long for in some cases and unplayable game. 

[Fear Of The Fox]

10 hours ago, Gamble92 said:

The console version is literally unplayable. At first I was really digging it but wow. Subs don't even come on. Crashed every time. So many issues. To the point where I cannot believe they allowed it to come out.

 

I think the PC version has had their full attention in terms of getting as many bugs fixed but even that was a disgrace to release with so much wrong after all this time.

 

I do really like the layout they have gone with though. Don't quite get the backlash for that. 

 

But I do fully understand why everyone is so annoyed to wait this long for in some cases and unplayable game. 

Fired it up again on PC last night and the UI was definitely faster with the new patch. Still have to click on more tiles to achieve what was done with one click in previous iterations but this isn't my main issue. My issue is the crucial match day features that were removed and that most of my instructions are still not mirrored correctly on the ME. 

I've played 2 friendlies away (Leicester) and we were in both 4-0 up by HT in extended highlights with Daka and Carranza toying the opposition defense and Monga being prime Thierry Henry in the wing. 2nd halves were both dull and none of my instructions were actually followed by the players. This is why I'm saying it feels on rails. I'll do some full matches tonight hopefully and have a better picture if the tactics are actively applied. 

I have a bad feeling they removed heat maps so us veterans of the game can't check in detail if the ME works properly with our tactics and instructions. 

Edited 7 November 2025 by Fear Of The Fox

[Gamble92]

3 minutes ago, Fear Of The Fox said:

Fired it up again on PC last night and the UI was definitely faster with the new patch. Still have to click on more tiles to achieve what was done with one click in previous iterations but this isn't my main issue. My issue is the crucial match day features that were removed and that most of my instructions are still not mirrored correctly on the ME. 

I've played 2 friendlies away (Leicester) and we were in both 4-0 up by HT in extended highlights with Daka and Carranza toying the opposition defense and Monga being prime Thierry Henry in the wing. 2nd halves were both dull and none of my instructions were actually followed by the players. This is why I'm saying it feels on rails. I'll do some full matches tonight hopefully and have a better picture if the tactics are actively applied. 

I have a bad feeling they removed heat maps so us veterans of the game can't check in detail if the ME works properly with our tactics and instructions. 

To take so many basic things out is just a joke. There's so many excuses like they've built a new game from scratch but they've been making this on the side since 2018. Just keep making it whilst releasing the version we were getting until you have a finished product. 

 

I don't even know the damage done by this. It's such a mess. I got the mobile version last night for free because I already have Netflix and there's stuff on there that isn't in the pc version. God forbid I can actually watch cup draws. 

[Dan]

Still not got it yet, gonna get a new laptop for it (mine is frankly struggling with 24 now). Feel like I'll hate it initially but will probably get used to it - wouldn't be the first time.

[Trumpet]

If anyone is thinking of getting it for PC, I’ve got a spare CD key I’ll let go for £25

[Aleksz]

7 hours ago, Fear Of The Fox said:

Fired it up again on PC last night and the UI was definitely faster with the new patch. Still have to click on more tiles to achieve what was done with one click in previous iterations but this isn't my main issue. My issue is the crucial match day features that were removed and that most of my instructions are still not mirrored correctly on the ME. 

I've played 2 friendlies away (Leicester) and we were in both 4-0 up by HT in extended highlights with Daka and Carranza toying the opposition defense and Monga being prime Thierry Henry in the wing. 2nd halves were both dull and none of my instructions were actually followed by the players. This is why I'm saying it feels on rails. I'll do some full matches tonight hopefully and have a better picture if the tactics are actively applied. 

I have a bad feeling they removed heat maps so us veterans of the game can't check in detail if the ME works properly with our tactics and instructions. 

You can remove the slowdown lag between menu’s now by the way incase you didn’t know/don’t like that. 

[moore_94]

Potential ability ranges of our young players:

 

Jeremy Monga - 150-180

 

Louis Page - 140-170

 

Will Alves - 130-160

 

Jake Evans - 130-160

 

Bade Aluko - 130-160

 

Lorenz Hutchinson - 130-160

 

Josh King - 120-150

 

Mirsad Ali - 120-150

 

Brandon Cover - 120-150

 

Michael Golding - 120-150

 

Fatawu is 160 PA

 

Ben Nelson is 155 PA

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

9 hours ago, Fear Of The Fox said:

Fired it up again on PC last night and the UI was definitely faster with the new patch. Still have to click on more tiles to achieve what was done with one click in previous iterations but this isn't my main issue. My issue is the crucial match day features that were removed and that most of my instructions are still not mirrored correctly on the ME. 

I've played 2 friendlies away (Leicester) and we were in both 4-0 up by HT in extended highlights with Daka and Carranza toying the opposition defense and Monga being prime Thierry Henry in the wing. 2nd halves were both dull and none of my instructions were actually followed by the players. This is why I'm saying it feels on rails. I'll do some full matches tonight hopefully and have a better picture if the tactics are actively applied. 

I have a bad feeling they removed heat maps so us veterans of the game can't check in detail if the ME works properly with our tactics and instructions. 

 

Are you a veteran of the franchise who has backed "Miles and Co" for decades? 

[The Horse's Mouth]

On 06/11/2025 at 22:39, Aleksz said:

Its nowhere near as bad as reviews would suggest, it has its flaws, its not perfect, things have been removed and there is a lot of bugs... but what new game doesn't? Like a few have pointed out on YouTube/X, the game gets released every year with a serious amount of bugs, we just get on with it and let SI sort it out. 

 

Think the fanbase is very scarred by the cancellation of FM25 and the poor communication that ensued and as a result expected an absolutely perfect game to compensate which was never going to happen after so much change and the obstacles they've come up against. 

 

Overall, is it as polished as FM24 - no, Is there bugs - yes, but its a decent game with cool new features. If you're looking at it with your football manager cap on, tell yourself its 2.5 star current ability with 5 star potential. 

Think the cancellation is the big part of it, because FM has always had a bit of a cult like fanbase that will defend SI to extreme levels, a lot of people feel they’ve waited a year longer for a game that still isn’t ready and they feel mugged off, which I think is fairly understandable.

 

Think my main worry would be what happens long term, I can’t see this engine moving them forward from the 20-30 million sales they get usually. Could see microtransactions long term tbh 

Edited 8 November 2025 by The Horse's Mouth

[shen]

The outcry is way over the top, but the FM community at large has always been quite conservative.

 

That said, I understand the negative outpouring to a degree, especially given last year's major feckup and the clearly rushed and unfinished product this time around. It is frankly bewildering how they thought this game would be ready a year ago when looking at it's current state. Did they have to start all over or what?

 

To me, the disappointment is more the mostly worse UI and the samey gameplay experience. I believe the last version I got was FM21 and it's virtually the same, but skinned differently. The matches look better, but it's still full of janky or inane stuff, like defenders running away from the ball.

Some features have been made worse or harder to find, but I assume this will be smoothed out eventually.

 

I'll play it a bit but realistically this is a beta test for FM27.

[Aleksz]

Anyone got far enough with Leicester or even generally in a save to see if we get a points deduction?

 

Can see in the starting finances we’re well on course to break PSR (lol) 

[Mark_w]

12 minutes ago, Aleksz said:

Anyone got far enough with Leicester or even generally in a save to see if we get a points deduction?

 

Can see in the starting finances we’re well on course to break PSR (lol) 

I've had one Leicester game (currently about to start season 3) and one holiday game, not seen us get a points deduction - though they were all started early in the beta.

[Danizen]

3 hours ago, Aleksz said:

Anyone got far enough with Leicester or even generally in a save to see if we get a points deduction?

 

Can see in the starting finances we’re well on course to break PSR (lol) 

It seems that you still just get bailed out.

In December, the board invested £24m and announced a new sponsorship for £30m which dragged us clear of any trouble. 

 

Even Sheffield Wednesday haven't had a points deduction. 

[RonnieTodger]

8 hours ago, Aleksz said:

Anyone got far enough with Leicester or even generally in a save to see if we get a points deduction?

 

Can see in the starting finances we’re well on course to break PSR (lol) 

I’ve sold Soumare, Faes, Ayew etc and now it looks like we’ll pass PSR with ease. I thought it’d be tougher. 

[Aleksz]

13 minutes ago, RonnieTodger said:

I’ve sold Soumare, Faes, Ayew etc and now it looks like we’ll pass PSR with ease. I thought it’d be tougher. 

Good as that’s my plan the minute I get cracking 

[shen]

2 hours ago, RonnieTodger said:

I’ve sold Soumare, Faes, Ayew etc and now it looks like we’ll pass PSR with ease. I thought it’d be tougher. 

Lucky you, could only get rid of Soumaré and Winks on permanents. No interest in Ayew, Daka, Kristiansen or Skipp. Faes out on loan.

[moore_94]

Always a great database if anyone is wanting to do a lower league save

 

He usually ends up going down to level 10 or 11 eventually