Football Manager is opening a new chapter in its history. Sports Interactive, the developer of the iconic football simulator, and the London-based studio Nomad have rebuilt the brand’s identity. The reason was substantial. The project moved to the Unity engine and began partnerships with the English Premier League and women’s football.
Since the release of the first version, Championship Manager, in 1992, the series has evolved significantly. After the 2004 rebrand, the game was renamed Football Manager. The latest release, Football Manager 2024, attracted more than 19 million users. The next installment, Football Manager 25, was canceled due to production difficulties. As a result, the new game, Football Manager 26, was released in November 2025, and the updated style is connected specifically with it.
The previous mark appeared solid and restrained, with no strong visual accent. The new wordmark has become thinner and more refined. Along with the simplification, some memorable details were lost. This refers to the original angles and lines that gave the name its distinctive look.
The main change was to the icon. The new symbol is built around a three-panel ball. A leather ball was used in the early years of football. The mark combines an FM monogram with the ball shape and references the game’s history. The proportions of the symbol raise questions. The letter M appears larger and resembles an inverted E, disrupting the composition’s balance. The letter F feels heavy. The space between the characters creates an unusual protrusion. Despite this, the three-dimensional versions of the icon look appealing and add a sense of life to the brand.
The brand received an exclusive typeface called FM Universe. Studio Nomad developed it together with the type designers at Pangram Pangram. The typeface connects the brand identity with the game’s atmosphere and enhances the sense of involvement.
The Football Manager rebrand does not feel like a sharp turn. The updated identity enables the brand to continue developing and remain relevant and understandable to new generations of football fans.
