Football Manager 2027 is taking a different approach to its launch this year, with Sports Interactive offering the game free to play for five days before its official release on November 10.
The free FM27 Launch Preview will be available on PC and Mac from October 29 at 6pm GMT until November 3 at 6pm GMT, giving players access to every game mode without having to pay upfront. It will be available through Steam, Epic Games Store and Microsoft Store, as well as Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass for subscribers.
Unlike a typical limited-time demo, the Launch Preview won’t restrict players to certain modes. No additional sign-up is required, so anyone can download the game through their preferred platform and get straight into managing their club.
Perhaps the biggest benefit is that progress won’t be lost once the free period ends. Players who decide to pre-purchase FM27 can carry their saves into the paid Launch Preview and eventually into the full game when it launches on November 10.
Sports Interactive is also offering a 10% pre-purchase discount, with orders opening alongside the free preview on October 29. Those who purchase through SEGA-approved digital retailers can continue playing between November 3 and the official release, while eligible Game Pass subscribers can carry on through their subscriptions.
As for what’s new, FM27 introduces a redesigned interface with more intuitive navigation, alongside features such as Tactical Tweaks, Tactical Effectiveness and Continue Flow customisation. Match Day visuals have also been improved, with returning features and more familiar in-game behaviours.
There is one catch, however. Sports Interactive warns that some club and player information is still awaiting rights-holder approval, so certain assets may be missing or may not accurately reflect real-world data during the preview.
Football Manager 2027 will cost £49.99 in the UK, €59.99 in Europe and $59.99 in the US when it launches on November 10.
For anyone unsure about buying this year’s installment, the free preview offers a chance to try the changes before committing, without having to start a new save afterwards
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