Sports Interactive have confirmed the official system requirements for FM26 after also providing a first gameplay reveal on 4th September 2025. As expected, the demands have stepped up compared to FM24, making this year’s edition a bit more challenging for players using older laptops or budget desktops. However, the requirements are nearly identical to what was announced for FM25 before the game was evetually cancelled Whether you’re planning to play casually or aiming for the smoothest experience possible, here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need.
Windows Requirements for FM26
FM26 is more hardware-intensive than past entries, particularly if you’re aiming for high graphics settings. The minimum specs are enough to run the game in 1080p on “Low,” but you’ll need something stronger if you want crisper visuals and smoother performance.
Minimum (Low Settings, 1080p):
- OS: Windows 10 (22H2) or Windows 11 (23H2), 64-bit only
- CPU: Intel Core i3-530 / AMD FX-4100 (or laptop equivalents: Intel Core i3-330M, AMD A6-5200)
- RAM: 4 GB
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 / AMD Radeon R9 380 / Intel HD 530 (or laptop variants GTX 960M, Radeon R9 M375) with 512MB VRAM
- Storage: 20 GB available space
- DirectX: Version 11
Recommended (High Settings, 1080p):
- OS: Windows 11 (23H2), 64-bit
- CPU: Intel Core i5-9600 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600 (or laptop equivalents: Intel Core i5-1035G7, AMD Ryzen 7 3750H)
- RAM: 12 GB
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 / AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT (or laptop equivalents RTX 2060M, RX 6600M) with 1GB VRAM
- Storage: 20 GB available space
MacOS Requirements for FM26
Apple users aren’t left out, though the requirements still show a leap from earlier Football Manager editions. FM26 supports both Intel and Apple Silicon chips, with the best results expected on newer M1 and above.
Minimum:
- OS: macOS 11 Big Sur or later (up to macOS 15 Sequoia)
- CPU: Apple M1 or Intel Core M
- RAM: 4 GB
- GPU: Apple M1, NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M, Intel HD 5000, AMD FirePro D300
- Storage: 20 GB available space
Recommended:
Storage: 20 GB available space
- Storage: 20 GB available space
- OS: macOS 13 Ventura or newer
- CPU: Apple M1 or better
- RAM: 12 GB
- GPU: Apple M1 with 1GB VRAM
Can my laptop run FM26?
While FM26 won’t require cutting-edge gaming rigs, the jump in RAM and GPU needs could pose a challenge for players sticking with older laptops. If you’ve been running past Football Manager games on minimal setups, now might be the time to consider an upgrade. The good news? Even mid-tier modern hardware will handle the game smoothly, ensuring you can focus on what matters most: losing hours and hours to FM26!
Tips for Optimizing FM26 Performance
If your system meets the minimum requirements but struggles with performance, there are several ways to improve your FM26 experience without upgrading hardware. Start by adjusting your graphics settings, lowering crowd detail, shadows, and anti-aliasing can significantly boost frame rates during matchdays. You can also reduce the number of active leagues and opt for a smaller database size to speed up simulations and cut down on loading times.
For laptop users, make sure your device is plugged in and set to high-performance mode. FM26’s new Unity engine benefits from consistent power delivery, especially during match rendering and scouting simulations. Keeping your drivers up to date, particularly for your GPU, can also prevent crashes and improve compatibility with the latest features.
If you’re unsure whether your setup can handle FM26 smoothly, consider using community tools like the FM Laptop Rater from FM Scout or FM Blog. These resources help you assess your hardware against real-world benchmarks and suggest tweaks tailored to your system.
Ultimately, FM26 is designed to scale across a wide range of devices. Whether you’re managing on a high-end rig or a modest laptop, the game offers enough flexibility to tailor your experience. With a few adjustments, you can enjoy the full depth of Football Manager 2026 without compromising performance.