Football Manager 26 — patch notes and updates
Stored observation / content update:
Dated developer announcements recorded from Steam. Open the source for the complete update.
| Update | Date | Excerpt / source |
|---|---|---|
| Play FM26 and FM26 Console for free | 2026-04-16 | You can now play Football Manager 26 and Football Manager 26 Console* for free until Monday, April 20th.FM26 is available at no cost on Steam until 6pm BST on Monday, 20th April, with FM26 Console (Xbox) available at no additional cost until 7:59am BST on the same day.Save Game Compatibility with both FM23 and FM24 means that you keep your journeys going into FM26 across platforms.FM26 features more licensed clubs, leagues and competitions than ever before. You can learn more about those here alongside this year's new additions with our dedicated feature blogs.Both FM26 and FM26 Console have been regularly updated since launch to improve stab |
| 13 New Save Ideas for Football Manager 26 | 2026-04-13 | FM26’s latest update is now live across platforms, including updated squads following the January transfer window and thousands of player rating changes based on performances over recent months. Those new squad dynamics and the stories from world football so far this season make it the perfect time to dive into a new adventure. To help you choose where to start, we’ve pulled together a selection of our favourites that offer a variety of challenges. Parma Calcio 1913Parma hold a special place in the heart of a certain generation as one of Italy’s most iconic teams. Their instantly recognisable home kit, their big signings and their performance |
| Football Manager 26 now 40% off across platforms | 2026-04-09 | Football Manager 26 is now available with a 40% discount across platforms.FM26 (PC/Mac), FM26 Console (Xbox/PS5)* and FM26 Touch (Nintendo Switch)** are on sale until 18:00 BST on April 23rd. Sale end dates and times vary by platform.Over the last six weeks, Football Manager 26 has received two data updates containing transfers from the January and February Transfer Windows alongside Current Ability, Potential Ability and Attribute changes for thousands of players and staff.Several game additions and upgrades have also been introduced. Fixtures & Results and Youth Setup Overview cards can now be viewed full-screen, player roles can be adjuste |
| FM26 Update (26.3) Out Now | 2026-03-30 | FM26 Update (26.3) is now available on Steam, Epic, and Microsoft Store. This update introduces a new full-screen Youth Setup Overview, quality of life improvements to the User Interface, and Database changes from transfer windows including China, Türkiye, and the USA. * This update should take effect automatically but if you have any issues, please visit our dedicated FAQ. An update for FM26 Console on PlayStation and Xbox is also available, with the respective changelist available here. FM26 Touch on Apple Arcade and FM26 Mobile will follow later this week. Today’s full changelist is available below. *To experience the data and competition |
| 14 Upgraded Players in FM26 | 2026-03-14 | FM26 Update (26.2) for Football Manager 26 is now live, including all the big transfers from the January transfer windows. This update also includes thousands of player Current Ability, Potential Ability and Attribute changes based on performances since we locked the launch database for FM26. We’ve picked out some of the players with the biggest upgrades in this update, ready for you to manage, scout or sign. Let’s dive in…Mateus Mane, Wolverhampton WanderersIn what has mostly been a challenging campaign for Wolves, the emergence of Mateus Mane has been a real bright spark. The 18-year-old attacking midfielder has established himself in the f |
| FM26 Update (26.2) Now Live | 2026-03-09 | FM26 Update (26.2) is now live across platforms.This update contains transfers from the January Transfer Window, Current Ability, Potential Ability and Attribute changes for thousands of players and staff, as well as several game additions and upgrades.For PC players, this update sees a change to make the Fixtures and Results card full-screen and introduces the ability to change player roles from the Tactics Visualiser.These changes will apply to all existing save games. To experience the data and competition changes in this update, you will need to start a new career*.The full changelist is available below, alongside platform-specific update |
| Transfer Market Top Tips in FM26 | 2026-02-20 | Just as in real life, getting pre-season right is essential in Football Manager 26. As well as training hard and playing friendlies, buying and selling the right players is crucial to a flying start.Here, we show how you can maximise FM26’s new recruitment tools in pre-season to set your club up for success in every career.Making a PlanOne of the first things you should do in every save, wherever you manage in FM26, is review your squad.Work out where you’re strong and where you’re weak, and what that means for your tactical tinkering. With those insights, you can develop a real plan of action for the transfer market.In this example, we’ve ta |
| Save 33% on Football Manager 26 Across Platforms | 2026-02-12 | Football Manager 26 is now on sale across platforms.FM26 (PC/Mac), FM26 Console (Xbox/PS5) and FM26 Touch (Nintendo Switch) are available with a 33% discount until 6pm GMT on 26 February. Sale end dates and times vary by platform – more info is provided in the table below.Since launch on November 4, each title has been regularly updated to improve stability and performance.These updates have included:In-game navigation improvementsRedesigns for multiple game screensReintroduction of in-match ShoutsSignificant Match Engine enhancements to player decision-making, defensive positioning and Match AIPast save games from FM23 and FM24 can be loaded |
| FM26 (Update 26.1.3) now live | 2026-02-11 | An FM26 update (26.1.3) is now available via Steam, Epic and Microsoft Store. This includes the re-introduction of Pass Maps (both in-match and within the Data Hub), as well as various Match AI improvements and a fix to a Hotseat mode-related crash. For queries about how to update on these platforms, please review this FAQ. The update is also available for FM26 Console, which includes all applicable improvements from the PC and Mac changelist. You can find more details, here. For clarity, recent transfers from the January Transfer Window and other data changes will form part of the next game update in early March.The changelist for today’s up |
| FM26 (26.1.2) Update Out Now | 2026-01-19 | 2026's first FM26 update (26.1.2) is now available via Steam, Epic, and Microsoft Store.This update includes a wide range of improvements, with key changes including global navigational enhancements, a new-look Stages screen, functionality fixes to column sorting and a host of stability fixes.FM26 Console and FM26 TouchUpdates for FM26 Console and FM26 Touch (Apple Arcade) will follow later this week. We’ll confirm via FMAssist once they’re live. An update for FM26 Touch (Nintendo Switch) is scheduled for early February, containing all applicable FM26 Touch fixes to date.FM26 MobileThe latest FM26 Mobile update containing save and crash relat |
| 12 Long-Term Save Ideas for FM26 | 2026-01-14 | With Football Manager 26 now more than a month old across platforms, many players are beginning to settle in for long-term career saves.If you’re looking for inspiration or simply a fresh challenge, we’ve highlighted 12 clubs that offer something memorable - whether that’s historical prestige, unique structural obstacles, or the opportunity to build something from the ground up.AS MonacoMonaco are one of world football’s most prolific producers of elite young talent, making them the ideal destination for anyone who enjoys developing wonderkids and building squads with a strong homegrown identity.Their current group includes Lamine Camara, Mag |
| Top Tips for Youth Development in FM26 | 2026-01-05 | Developing your own superstars is one of the most satisfying parts of any Football Manager save — especially for long-term careers. Few feelings compare to watching an academy graduate light up the biggest stages for your first team.What’s the best way of bringing these young players through? InvWingbacks is here to help, providing a list of top tips for youth development in Football Manager 26.Setting some general principlesHow you approach youth development will vary based on the club you’re managing, the league you’re in and how good the team are for the level. Every stage of a club’s evolution demands something slightly different from you |
| How to Manage in the Barclays Women's Super League in FM26 | 2025-12-19 | For the first time in Football Manager history, women’s football arrives in FM26, with the Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL) as a headline licensed competition - opening up new opportunities to explore, manage, and make history in the women’s game.The WSL is the top level of domestic women’s football in England. A league that hits hard in both performance and passion: it’s the home ground that nurtured some of the biggest stars of the twice-Euro-winning Lionesses. It is known for deep rivalries, nail-biting matches, and some of the largest and most ardent fanbases in the game.With upcoming expansion and increasing investment, this league of |
| FM26 Update (26.1.1) Out Now | 2025-12-15 | We’re pleased to confirm that the latest FM26 update (26.1.1) is now available on Steam, Epic, and Microsoft Store. Included within the 300+ changes are further improvements to player and staff contract logic, under the hood improvements to game stability, and improved post-match and past match report screens. We’ve also addressed the issue surrounding players being offered out on transfer if rested, following an initial rollout via a hotfix to the Steam Public Beta Track. For queries about how to update on these platforms, please review this FAQ. For Steam Public Beta track users, please consult the FAQ for any questions about how to revert |
| FM26 Update 5 Available Now via Steam Public Beta Track | 2025-12-10 | Following a recent major content update, we can confirm that another update is now available, initially via the Steam Public Beta Track. Included within the 300+ changes, there have been further improvements to player and staff contract logic, under the hood improvements to game stability, and improved post-match and past match report screens. For instructions on how to access and download the update, please visit our guide here. To address some of the conversation around the purpose of the Public Beta Track, this channel provides us with an opportunity to get changes out to a large group of players at the very earliest opportunity. Unless cr |
| FM26 Update 26.1.0 Out Now | 2025-12-08 | Following a successful rollout of the update via the Steam Public Beta Track, we’re pleased to confirm that Football Manager 26 update 26.1.0 is now available on Steam, Epic, and Microsoft Store. This major update brings the most substantial number of changes, bug fixes, and feature introductions so far this cycle, with an emphasis on enhancing immersion and player experience. Shouts are back, the Match Engine has been fine-tuned, and we’ve made tweaks to the variety and relevance of the News shown in the Portal. And for the very first time in the series, Football Manager is now available to play in Arabic. Some of the highlights of update 26 |
| FM26 Update 4 Available Now via Steam Public Beta Track | 2025-12-04 | As promised in our preview earlier this week, we are pleased to confirm that an update has been rolled out to the Steam Public Beta Branch. For instructions on how to access and download the update, please visit our guide, here. This update brings a wealth of bug fixes, improvements, and features: Matchday Shouts Updated Match Engine with various improvements Extensive polish and refinement done to the User Interface Fully customisable attribute colouring Various tweaks and improvements to transfers Added ability to schedule friendlies for Youth teams Updated various Competitions and Rules Improvements to the News shown on the ‘For You’ News |
| Leading the line in FM26 with lone strikers | 2025-11-26 | Wherever you manage in Football Manager 26, you need to score goals and to do that you need to get the most from your strikers.In this piece, Ihor Crusadertsar turns his attention to popular lone-striker systems such as the 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1, exploring how you can dominate your save by building effective attacks with just a single player leading the line. Crafting tactics built around a single striker offers far greater flexibility, but it also requires a more considered approach. With only one player leading the line, you need to think carefully about how the surrounding roles combine to create chances. You can’t just set your striker as a P |
| FM26 Update (26.0.6) Out Now | 2025-11-25 | After initially rolling out yesterday onto the Steam Public Beta Track, we’re pleased to say that update 26.0.6 is now available for FM26 on Steam, Epic, and Microsoft Store. The update includes more than 250 fixes and tweaks, including: tweaks to player wage demands, the option to select an FPS limit within ‘Preferences’, and the reintroduction of the training calendar for youth teams. A full changelist can be seen below. For queries about how to update on these platforms, please review this FAQ. For Steam Public Beta track users, please consult the FAQ for any questions about reverting to the retail version and save game compatibility. Matc |
| FM26 Update 3 Available Now via Steam Public Beta Track | 2025-11-20 | We can confirm that the next update to the Steam Public Beta Track is now live.For instructions on how to access and download the update, please visit our guide, here.This update will contain the 200+ fixes communicated on Tuesday (18th November) as well as some additional tweaks and changes we brought forward while the knock-on issue reported yesterday was being resolved. You can view the full change list below:Steam Public Beta Track Change List (non exhaustive)Further extensive polish and refinement done to the User Interface. Further extensive crash and stability fixes. Further fixes to freezes at Half-Time during Human vs. Human Online M |