Your first big tactical decision of the season is made easier this year as Football Manager 27 will be free to play on PC and Mac from 30 October to 4 November.

Starting at 2am SGT on October 30 and running for the next five days, the FM27 Launch Preview will be freely playable across Steam, Epic, the Microsoft Store, Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass*.

There's no sign-up required - you can simply download from your preferred platform and begin making the calls with all game modes available.

Going live alongside this free play period is the pre-purchase window for FM27, offering 10% off and continued Launch Preview for players on Steam, Epic and the Microsoft Store. The paid Launch Preview begins when the free play period ends at 2am SGT on November 4, running up to full launch on November 10**. For players on Game Pass, you'll be able to continue your save through your subscription. 

What to expect from the FM27 Launch Preview

The FM27 Launch Preview replaces what has previously been titled Beta / Advanced Access and it is intended to be closer in quality and finality to launch than previous early play builds***.

All games started during the free play period can be continued through to both the paid Launch Preview and full launch without the need to start again.

With a clearer interface, enhanced match engine and new layers of control on both the training ground and touchline with the introductions of Tactical Tweaks and Tactical Effectiveness, FM27 deepens immersion and invites discovery from the moment your career begins.

For more detail on this year's new additions, dive deep into our Features page [link].

*Launch Preview will only be available for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers.

**This only applies to those purchasing via SEGA-approved digital retailers. Due to time zone differences, the release date may be November 11 in some regions.

***This version contains information that is still under approval process by right holders and may contain data that does not, at this time, accurately reflect real world data. For context, some club and player assets may be absent during this version.

FM27 - Free Play Launch Preview - FAQs

Q: What is the Launch Preview Free Play for Football Manager 27?

A: The Free Play period for FM27 is a chance for all PC players to experience this year's game, at no cost, for five days. Players can digitally download and play FM27 until 4 November, ahead of the launch from 10 November. No additional sign-up is required; fans can simply download from their preferred platform and begin making the calls.

Q: When does the Launch Preview Free Play for FM27 take place?

A: FM27's Launch Preview Free Play will be available from 2am SGT on 30 October, until 2am SGT on 4 November.

Q: Why will FM27 be free to download and play for this limited time? 

A: Earlier in the cycle, we said we wanted to show more of the game before opening pre-orders and asking players to commit. With the free play period, we've taken that one step further, giving fans the opportunity to experience this year's game for themselves before making a purchase. We also said we were committed to rebuilding player trust and confidence in the Studio, and the free play period is a tangible example of that commitment.

Q: What platforms is the FM27 Launch Preview Free Play available on? 

A: Across PC and Mac, the Free Launch Preview of FM27 will be freely playable across Steam, Epic Games Store and Microsoft Store, or via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscriptions until 2am SGT on November 4. It can be downloaded from the usual store pages for FM27 on each of these platforms.

Q: When will pre-purchasing be possible for FM27? 

A: The pre-purchase window for FM27 will open alongside the Launch Preview Free Play at 2am SGT on 30 October. This will be available on Steam, Epic and the Microsoft Store. Those who pre-purchase from a SEGA-approved digital retailer will receive a 10% discount on the game's price of MYR199/PHP2,399/SGD79.9/THB1,790.Pre-purchasing for FM27 Console will not be available, but you can wishlist from 30 October.

Q: How does the Launch Preview Free Play connect to the usual 'Advanced Access' or period for FM27?

A: As soon as the Free Launch Preview for FM27 ends on 3 November, the Paid Launch Preview period begins. The Paid Launch Preview, taking the place of the previous 'Advanced Access', allows players who have pre-ordered FM27 on PC via any SEGA-approved digital retailer to continue playing the game, ahead of the official launch from November 10. The Launch Preview aims to deliver a version that is closer in quality and finality to launch than previous early play builds.

Q: Will there be any other incentives for pre-purchasing FM27?

A: Yes. Those who pre-purchaseFM27 from a SEGA-approved digital retailer will receive a 10% discount on the game's price of MYR199/PHP2,399/SGD79.9/THB1,790.

Q: Will my save progress carry over through the Launch Preview to the full launch of FM27?

A: Yes. Any saves created in FM27 before launch can be continued into the paid period of Launch Preview and full launch without the need to start again.

Q: Can my save files from FM24 or FM26 be carried over to FM27?

A: Yes. FM27 will display an option in the start screen to carry over save progress from the previous two titles. To ensure this is possible, the relevant save data must be available on the relevant PC or in your platform account's cloud save storage.

Q: Will the version of FM27 available during the Launch Preview Free Play be any different to what's available from launch?

A: All modes, features and areas of FM27 are available in the Free Play period and there is no limit to the time or progress you can log. The build of the game used will be near-final, ahead of the 10 November launch. Details on any updates before 10 November, if they occur, will be shared across official FM channels.