SEGA and Sports Interactive have announced that Football Manager 2027 will offer a limited-time free trial before its official release. PC and Mac players can experience all game modes from October 29 to November 3, and those who purchase the full version during the trial period will receive a 10% discount. The game will officially launch on Double 11.
This trial covers Steam, Epic Games Store, Microsoft Store, Xbox Game Pass, and PC Game Pass, with no additional registration required. After the free period ends, players who have purchased the full version can continue playing until the official release on November 10, and trial progress can be carried over to the full version.
The developers stated that offering a free trial with all modes for an annual title might be an industry first, viewing it as a continued effort to support the player community. Previously, the series took a year off in 2024, followed by a new title using the Unity engine, which faced criticism from players due to bugs and missing features. Its Steam approval rating once dropped below 25%, standing at 38% at the time of this announcement, rated as "Mostly Negative."
Sports Interactive subsequently improved the game through fixes and updates, acknowledging that the final product did not meet expectations. Football Manager 2027 will adjust the interface, add features such as tactical tweaks, tactical effectiveness, and continued process customization, while enhancing match day visuals and restoring some existing features and familiar player controls.
Free Trial: Football Manager 27 Launch Preview
Your first major tactical decision of the season will be easier this year—Football Manager 27 will offer a free trial on PC and Mac platforms from October 30 to November 4 (Beijing Time).
Starting at 02:00 Beijing Time on October 30, the #Funtime Early Access version of FM27 will be available for free for five days on Steam, Epic, Microsoft Store, Xbox Game Pass, and PC Game Pass*.
No registration required—just download it on your preferred platform to experience all game modes and immediately start your managerial and decision-making journey.
Running concurrently with this free trial is the pre-order window for FM27. Players who pre-order on Steam, Epic, and Microsoft Store can enjoy a 10% discount and continue experiencing the Launch Preview after the free period ends. The paid Early Access will begin when the free trial ends at 02:00 Beijing Time on November 4 and continue until the official release on November 10**. For Game Pass players, you can continue using your saves through the subscription service.
FM27 Launch Preview Highlights
The FM27 Launch Preview replaces what was previously known as the Beta/Early Access version, with quality and completeness much closer to the official release version compared to previous early test versions***.
All game saves started during the free trial can be directly continued into the paid Launch Preview and the official release version without needing to restart.
With a clearer interface, a more powerful match engine, and new control over tactics through the introduction of tactical tweaks and tactical effectiveness on the training ground and sidelines, FM27 offers a more immersive experience and exploration fun from the moment you start your managerial career.
For more details on this year's new features, please explore our features page.
*The Launch Preview is only available to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers.
**Only applicable to players who purchase through SEGA-approved digital retailers. Due to time zone differences, the release date may be November 11.
***This version contains information still undergoing rights holder approval processes and may include data that does not accurately reflect the real world at present. Therefore, some club and player assets may be missing in this version.
Football Manager 27 – Launch Preview Free Play – FAQ
Q: What is the Football Manager 27 Launch Preview Free Play?
A: The FM27 free trial period is a great opportunity for all PC players to experience this year's game for five days at no cost. Players can download and experience FM27 before the official release on November 10, with the trial running until November 3. No additional registration is required; fans just need to download it on their preferred platform to begin their managerial and decision-making journey.
Q: When does the FM27 free trial start?
A: The FM27 free trial will begin at 18:00 GMT on October 29 (02:00 Beijing Time on October 30) and continue until 18:00 GMT on November 3 (02:00 Beijing Time on November 4).
Q: Why is FM27 offering a limited-time free trial?
A: Early in the development cycle, we expressed our desire to show more game content before opening pre-orders and asking players to make a purchase decision. With the free trial period, we go further, giving fans the chance to personally experience this year's game before buying. We also stated our commitment to rebuilding player trust and confidence in the studio, and the free trial period is a concrete manifestation of this promise.
Q: Which platforms support the FM27 free trial?
A: On PC and Mac platforms, players can experience the FM27 Launch Preview for free on Steam, Epic Games Store, and Microsoft Store, or via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscriptions, until 18:00 GMT on November 3 (02:00 Beijing Time on November 4). You can download it from the respective regular FM27 store pages on these platforms.
Q: When does pre-ordering for FM27 begin?
A: The pre-order window for FM27 will open simultaneously with the free trial at 18:00 GMT on October 29 (02:00 Beijing Time on October 30). Pre-orders will be available on Steam, Epic, and Microsoft Store. Players who pre-order through SEGA-approved digital retailers will receive a 10% discount off the standard price (£49.99/€59.99/$59.99/¥268). FM27 Console is not currently available for pre-order, but you can add it to your wishlist starting October 29.
Q: How does the free trial connect with FM27's previous "Advanced Access"?
A: Once the free trial of FM27 ends on November 3 GMT (November 4 Beijing Time), the paid Launch Preview period will begin. The paid Launch Preview replaces the previous "Early Access," allowing players who pre-ordered FM27 on PC through any SEGA-approved digital retailer to continue playing until the official release on November 10. The Early Access version aims to provide a version closer in quality and completeness to the final release compared to previous early test versions.
Q: Are there any other rewards or discounts for pre-ordering FM27?
A: Yes. Players who pre-order FM27 through SEGA-approved digital retailers will receive a 10% discount off the standard price (£49.99/€59.99/$59.99/¥268).
Q: Can my game save progress be carried over from the Launch Preview to the official FM27 release?
A: Yes. Any saves created in FM27 before release can be directly carried over to the paid Early Access period and the official release version without needing to restart.
Q: Can my saves from FM24 or FM26 be carried over to FM27?
A: Yes. FM27 will display an option on the start screen to carry over save progress from the previous two titles. To ensure this feature works correctly, the relevant save data must be stored on the corresponding PC or in your platform account's cloud save storage.
Q: Is there any difference between the FM27 version during the Launch Preview free trial and the version at official release?
A: All modes, features, and regions of FM27 are available during the free trial period, with no restrictions on playtime or game progress. The game version used will be a near-complete version prior to the November 10 GMT release. If there are any updates before November 10, detailed information will be announced through official FM channels.