FM26 Women’s Football Release Date Leaked
We finally know the FM26 women’s football release date window – and it’s sooner than some expected. A new SEGA business report confirms Football Manager 26 will launch in Fall 2025, marking the first time women’s football will be fully playable in the series.
For a mode that’s been years in the making, this isn’t just a new feature – it’s the start of an entirely new way to play.
The leak
Tucked inside SEGA’s latest management update was a brief mention of FM26 being scheduled for release in the second half of the fiscal year. That’s corporate speak for October–November 2025.
It’s the most solid confirmation we’ve had since FM25 was cancelled, and it lines up with FM’s usual release pattern – a September announcement, a late October early-access beta, and a November full release.
Why FM25 never happened
If you missed the headlines earlier this year:
FM25 was set to debut the Unity engine, overhaul the UI, and bring women’s football to the game for the first time. But delays stacked up, features weren’t ready, and SI took the rare step of cancelling the game outright.
Instead, all of that work has rolled into FM26. Which means when we finally boot it up, it won’t be a “partly finished” launch – it should be the full vision.
(For the full backstory, read our post on our sister site: FM25 Cancelled – What It Means for Football Manager)
Why the FM26 women’s football release date matters for fans
With the FM26 women’s football release date set for Fall 2025, managers now have a clear countdown before their first women’s save kicks off.
It means:
- You can start shortlisting clubs for your first women’s save
- You’ll have a clearer idea of when to wrap up current FM24 projects
- The community can start building databases and graphics ready for launch
Likely FM26 women’s football release date timeline
If SI follow tradition, here’s how it might unfold:
| Stage | Likely Date Range | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Announcement & trailer | Early-mid Sept 2025 | First gameplay footage, full feature list |
| Beta / Early Access | Late Oct 2025 | Playable two weeks before launch for pre-orders |
| Full Release | Early-mid Nov 2025 | Everyone gets access |
My money’s on Friday 7th November or Friday 14th November, purely based on FM history.
What we expect to see on launch day
The SEGA report didn’t list features, but combining what SI’s said with what was planned for FM25, here’s what’s likely:
- Women’s football mode – top-tier leagues, continental competitions, and internationals fully playable.
- Unity engine upgrade – better animations, lighting, and stadium atmosphere.
- Wider platform release – PC/Mac, consoles, mobile, and Game Pass.
- UI and performance improvements – cleaner screens, smoother navigation.
Why Fall 2025 is worth the wait
The jump from FM24 straight to FM26 is going to feel massive. Not just visually, but in how we approach saves, scouting, and even career storytelling. Women’s football won’t be an optional add-on – it’ll sit side by side with the men’s game.
And now that the FM26 women’s football release date window is confirmed, the countdown can begin.
What’s next
From here, expect the usual FM marketing rhythm:
- Early Sept – Reveal trailer and feature breakdown
- Late Oct – Beta release for pre-orders
- Early Nov – Full release
We’ll have every FM26 women’s football update here on WFFM, along with save ideas, tactical guides, and player shortlists the moment information drops.