A Solid Core, But Has It Truly Leapt Forward?
Football Manager 2026 arrives with big expectations. After years of incremental updates, the promise of a new engine and a broader, more inclusive football world had fans excited for a real leap forward. The result is a game that feels ambitious and polished in some areas but still rough around the edges in others.
FM26 runs on the Unity engine for the first time in the series. This brings better lighting, more realistic player models, and smoother animations. The change is instantly noticeable during matches, where players move with a fluidity that finally matches the game’s tactical depth.
Tactics have also received a meaningful overhaul as well. You can now fine-tune positional play in even greater detail, shaping how your team behaves both in and out of possession. The addition of women’s football is another major step forward, expanding the game’s scope and opening up entirely new managerial journeys.
So, I have started three saves as of today: one on PC, one on a laptop, and a multiplayer game with my friend, Will. The PC save is going well, other than the occasional crash or freeze. Starting as Man United (as everyone has seemed to do this year), we have had a solid start to the season. The first couple of hours trying to maneuver around the new UI was something of a struggle, but I think I finally have it down.
As for the laptop save, that is with my team, Liverpool. Again, nothing to note really. Having the Premier League license is really nice, and having most faces is also really cool. However, they don’t have a lot of youth players’ likenesses.
But my third save, which I have used for multiplayer, has been riddled with so many bugs I do not think we are even past preseason, even after some 20 hours in. Crashes, bugs, freezes, you name it. I will say, though, SI did say multiplayer would be broken for a bit, but why ship it?
At its core, FM26 still delivers the same addictive management loop that has made the series legendary. Building a team, developing youth prospects, negotiating contracts, and outsmarting your rivals tactically remains just as compelling as ever. The matchday experience is richer and more atmospheric, making every fixture feel more alive.
The new visual presentation makes a strong first impression. Crowds react more believably, players express more emotion, and the overall immersion has taken a genuine step forward. Combined with the deeper tactical options, FM26 offers an experience that rewards strategic thinking and long-term planning.
The transition to Unity has come at a cost. While the graphics are improved, performance can suffer. Menu navigation is slower, and load times are noticeably longer. The interface itself has also taken a step backward in usability. Some of the quality of life refinements built up over years of iteration are missing, and it occasionally feels like you are fighting the menus rather than commanding a team.
Beyond the presentation and interface changes, the core experience has not evolved dramatically. Long-time players may find it hard to justify the upgrade if they were hoping for a true revolution. FM26 feels more like a strong foundation for future versions than a finished transformation in itself.
Also, unfortunately, bugs absolutely riddle this “beta,” from not being able to see your players’ attributes to the game just not kicking off for the second half. Hopefully, with some more time, they can rectify all this, but as someone who is a loyalist, it hurts to see SI not have this sorted after a two-year hiatus.
Football Manager 2026, for the casual audience, is an amazing entry: licenses, a new fancy match engine, and gorgeous presentation. But for the hardcore, 20 years deep tactic managers, falls a little short. I hope to maybe re-review FM26 in a couple of months and say it is now amazing, but unfortunately, due to the way games are pumped out yearly, I fear this is a stepping stone for what FM27 (if we do get it) will be.
Developer - Sports Interactive
Publisher - SEGA
Released - November 4th, 2025.
Available On - Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PS5, PC
Rated - (E) - Mild Language, In-Game Purchases
Platform Reviewed - PC
Review Access - Review code was provided by the publisher for the purpose of this review.
James, has been a gamer for as long as he can remember with a particular passion for sports games, shooters and adventure games. He only started writing reviews earlier this year over at The Outerhaven, but I've quickly become extremely passionate about this part of the industry.