Match System Overhaul
The match and preview windows have been redesigned with a clearer football-focused presentation.
Highlights
Team lineups are now displayed on a football pitch
Players are positioned according to their team's formation
Match previews now use the same pitch-based presentation
Live match statistics are now displayed instead of commentary
Player condition affects actions during matches
Player playstyles influence match decisions and behavior
Expanded Player System
Players now use a significantly expanded development system.
Highlights
Players now have 24 attributes
Additional player positions have been added
Players have primary and secondary attributes based on their position and playstyle
Training focus points have been increased to support the expanded attribute system
Highly skilled players now demand more appropriate wages
Dynamic Player Playstyles
Players now receive playstyles based on their current attributes.
Playstyles can change during a player's career when their development makes another playstyle more suitable.
Playstyles also influence how players behave during matches.
Scouting assignments can now target specific playstyles.
Team Formations
Teams now use formations during matches.
Editor Support
Formations can be assigned to clubs through the editor
Assigning a formation is optional
Clubs without an assigned formation will automatically receive one
Clubless players can receive requests from clubs whose formation suits their position
Training Overhaul
The training window has been redesigned to support the expanded player attribute system.
A new Goalkeeping Facility has also been added, allowing goalkeepers to receive dedicated goalkeeper training.
Youth Camp Automation
Youth Camps with an assigned Head Scout can now use automatic release rules.
Camp players who meet the configured conditions will be released automatically.
Youth Camp players can also now be selected and released in groups.
New Help Mode
A new Help Mode framework has been introduced.
Help Mode can be opened by clicking the question mark icon in the top-right corner or by pressing F1.
The current version contains information for selected sections, with additional explanations planned for future updates.
Improvements
This update also includes several gameplay, management, performance, and quality-of-life improvements:
Added an Interested filter to the scouting page
Watchlisted players can now be selected in groups
Multiple watchlisted players can be removed or assigned a grade at once
Grade names and colors can now be customized in the profile settings
Match attendance and match focus warnings can now be enabled or disabled in profile settings
Club interest now progresses through Watching, Interested, Very Interested, and Offer Made
Added the total transfer fee to pending transfers
Added a confirmation window when closing the game in window mode by clicking X or using Alt + F4
Improved Player Hub performance when managing many signed players
Removed the penalty for releasing staff members
Slightly reduced the quality of players generated through Youth Camps and Trial Days
Market demands now support the expanded attributes and playstyles
Facilities can be upgraded multiple levels at once based on the Operations Center level
Academies now have maximum facility-level limits
Facility prestige rewards now consider the target level and current academy prestige
Added additional validation for country spawn chances in player databases
Save games requiring a missing mod can no longer be loaded until the mod is reinstalled
Missing mod error messages now display the required mod name
Numerous UI and translation improvements
Fixes
This update also includes several bug fixes and stability improvements, including:
Agreed demand payouts sometimes not being registered
Players bypassing academy quality restrictions through unusually high wage demands
Demand generation occasionally failing
United Kingdom Youth Camps not correctly using country spawn chances
Incorrect or missing translations
Various interface and gameplay issues
Steam Events & Early Access Discount
I'm happy to share that Football Academy Manager is participating in both the Game Pavilion JP Summer 2026 and Games Composed in Germany Steam events over the coming week.
This major update is available now, so everyone can jump straight into the new content.
Due to Steam's discount scheduling restrictions following the Summer Sale, the 25% Early Access discount will begin on July 25 and remain active for one week.
As Football Academy Manager continues to grow throughout Early Access, the base price will increase after these events to better reflect the amount of content added since launch.
If you've been waiting to start your academy journey, this will be the last opportunity to purchase the game at the current base price.