Football Manager 26 unveils fresh look at women's football as Sports Interactive reveal biggest female database in gaming

The idea of integrating women’s football into the series was first teased back in 2021. Originally, FM25 was supposed to be the debut year for the expansion, but technical roadblocks forced Sports Interactive to shelve the edition entirely. That delay has paved the way for FM26 to take the spotlight; bigger, stronger, and finally capable of delivering on the vision.

The driving force behind the women’s project has been Tina Keech, Sports Interactive’s head of women’s football research. With little to no pre-existing data to work from, Keech had to start from square one.

“I gradually got to know the database, speaking to anyone that could help,” Keech told The Athletic. “I spent eight months creating players, teams and leagues. I looked at attributes and how we were going to make them work: ‘Do we want them to be like the men or not?’ There were loads of questions, but it was about patience and reaching out to the right people to help. Without those various individuals, it wouldn’t be possible to get where we are today.”

The first name entered into the new database back in 2001? None other than Emma Hayes, the coaching icon who went on to lead Chelsea Women and the USWNT. Fast-forward to now, and the research team has swelled to nearly 40 people, covering 14 leagues across 11 nations and three continents. The numbers are staggering: more than 36,000 players and 5,000 staff members will be represented. Every name, every club, every competition has been painstakingly researched to match the real-life women’s game.

One of the major reasons FM25 was scrapped was Sports Interactive’s struggles adapting to Unity, the American-developed game engine. But now, FM26 is harnessing that very same technology to power its boldest new match engine yet. Motion capture has been another huge focus. To ensure realism, Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse was used to model the movements of female goalkeepers. Meanwhile, former players turned broadcasters Mollie and Rosie Kmita provided the framework for outfield motion, ensuring dribbles, tackles, and celebrations look as authentic as possible.

When fans boot up FM26, they’ll have full control over how they want to play. They can run men’s and women’s leagues side by side, allowing for dual saves that bring the two worlds together. Or they can focus solely on men’s or women’s competitions, depending on their preference. For Sports Interactive, the aim isn’t just to attract new players but to spark curiosity. They want the game’s massive existing fanbase to dive into women’s football, learn the names, understand the tactics, and feel the buzz of managing clubs and players they may not have encountered before.