Football Manager 26: Release Date, Features, Platforms, and Requirements

After a year's hiatus and the cancellation of the previous edition, the Sports Interactive saga returns with a project that aims to be a continuation in management, but with a significant visual leap; Football Manager 26 arrives with Unity engine and a clear roadmap to modernize the match experience.

In this article, we compile the confirmed information and what the developer itself has anticipated: Release window, platforms, indicative price, early access, gameplay changes, and PC requirements so you can start preparing your rig without surprises.

Release date

There is no official date marked on the calendar, although the studio has announced that the release will be at the end of 2025The series' history points to its usual early-to-mid-November window, and a "Game Day First Look" has already been hinted at in the coming weeks.

Platforms and editions

In the absence of definitive confirmation, the game is expected to reach its typical ecosystem, maintaining the consistency of previous years and repeating presence on PC/Mac and current consoles (consult how to download Football Manager).

• Football Manager 26 (PC/Mac): available on digital stores such as Steam, Epic Games Store and Microsoft Store.
• Football Manager 26 Console: version for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with interface adapted to the controller.
• Football Manager 26 Touch: edition designed for faster sessions on Nintendo Switch and mobile/tablet devices (How to enter real names in Football Manager Android).

Details of the regional distribution remain to be finalized, but the roadmap points to a simultaneous multiplatform release or with windows very close together.

Price and reservations

The final price has not been announced, although based on precedents we can expect the console edition to be around $59,99 / £44,99, with the usual variants in each region; on PC/Mac it will be released through the usual digital stores.

Digital reservations should open after the date is revealed, with the possibility of Early access for pre-purchasers, something traditional in the franchise.

Trailer and first look

Sports Interactive has already shown a teaser that focuses on the new Unity-based match engine, with shots of stadiums, audiences and in-game sequences that demonstrate the visual progress.

In addition to improvements in lighting and animations, the promotional material shows the official presence of the Premier League (kits, crests and branding elements), and the company has promised to expand the information with a specific "match day" piece.

Key developments

Aside from the visual leap, the studio has focused on several lines of work to make the release more rounded without losing its identity as a deep and tactical simulator; These are the ones that are generating the most noise:

• Transition to Unity: smoother 3D animations, better ball physics, and more detailed player and stadium modeling.
• Premier League License: official use of kits, badges and branding, integrated into menus and matches.
• Women's football: Incorporation of women's leagues and competitions into the game's database.
• Refreshed UI/UX: cleaner, faster interface with responsive design that makes it easier to navigate on PC, console, and touch devices.
• Improved AI and match engine: more consistent tactical behaviors, richer AI decisions, and realism adjustments to game situations.

PC requirements

The study has confirmed a broad access configuration to leave no one out, although Higher hardware is recommended if you want to take full advantage of the new animations. and the graphical leap of the engine.

Minimum (64-bit)

• System: Windows 10 (22H2) or Windows 11 (23H2) with updates.
• Desktop CPU: Intel Core i3-530 or AMD FX-4100. Portable: Intel Core i3-330M or AMD A6-5200. Supports SSE4.2 and SSSE3.
• Memory: 4 GB of RAM.
• Desktop graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960, AMD Radeon R9 380 or Intel HD 530. Portable: GTX 960M, Radeon R9 M375 or Intel HD 530 (512 MiB VRAM).
• DirectX: version 11.
• Storage: 20 GB free.

Recommended (64-bit)

• System: Windows 11 updated (23H2).
• Desktop CPU: Intel Core i5-9600 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600. Portable: Intel Core i5-1035G7 or AMD Ryzen 7 3750H.
• Memory: 12 GB of RAM.
• Desktop graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT. Portable: RTX 2060 Mobile or Radeon RX 6600M.
• DirectX: version 11.
• Storage: 20 GB free.

In laptops, the equivalence is clear: from compatible integrated solutions for minimal configuration to RTX 2060 Mobile or RX 6600M if you are looking for the best fluidity in the new animations.

Early Access and Beta

As in previous releases, reservations through Steam or Epic are expected to offer Approximately two weeks early access before the global launch, with the possibility of an open beta focused on polishing the final details.

The database and the promises

Official lists of outstanding young talents have not yet been published, so The promise guides will arrive closer to the premiere and with contributions from the community once the final database is accessible.

With all of the above, a delivery is outlined that is oriented to maintain the usual tactical depth while elevating the staging: November window, jump to Unity, Premier license and clear requirements for anyone who wants to have it ready on day one.