SEGA has lifted the lid on SEGA Football Club Champions 2025, the latest entry in its long-running football management series that’s finally getting a global release.
SEGA Football Club Champions 2025 is set to arrive as a free-to-play management game on PS5, PS4, Steam, iOS, and Android later this year. It’s described as being “powered by Football Manager,” though SEGA hasn’t shared many details about what that partnership really looks like.
In Japan, the game is the latest in the SakaTsuku series, officially known as Pro Soccer Club o Tsukurou! 2025. This series has been around since 1996 and mostly focused on managing Japanese football teams in the J-League.
For a long time, the series stayed in Japan, with only one main entry making its way to Europe and Australia under the name Let’s Make a Soccer Team.
Building a Club from the Ground Up
The official description says that players will start small and aim to take on the world, building up a club from local heroes to global champions. The game features two main modes:
- Career Mode: Manage your team, call the shots on and off the pitch, and aim to become the best club out there.
- Dream Team Mode: Take on other players around the world in PvP matches and tournaments.
Alongside these modes, SEGA Football Club Champions promises a detailed management experience with training programs, facilities, and player development.
Real Players, Real Leagues
One big plus for the game is its licensing. SEGA says the game will feature over 10,000 real players, including 1,500 from Japan’s J1 – J3 leagues. Players from the K League and Manchester City are also part of the lineup, thanks to deals with FIFPRO and other partners.
Closed Beta Test Plans
Before the full launch, SEGA plans to hold a Closed Beta Test to refine the experience. The beta will run from June 19 to June 30, and sign-ups are open until June 13. About 15,000 players will get to try the game early and share their thoughts.
Filling the Football Manager Gap
The arrival of SEGA Football Club Champions 2025 comes at a time when fans of management sims are looking for something new. Football Manager 25 was officially canceled earlier this year, leaving a gap in the market. That game had been set to introduce women’s football and a new graphics engine built on Unity, but development has shifted to the next entry in the series instead.
For now, SEGA Football Club Champions looks ready to step in, giving football fans a new project to sink their teeth into.
