When it comes to video game football/soccer, you can either get your on-pitch fix with the EA Sports FC series or go through the dugout with Football Manager. Sadly for would-be gaffers, the latter is not going to have a release this year, but SEGA is not exactly missing a kick for the management genre. The Japanese company has announced SEGA Football Club Champions 2025 (SFCC 2025), a free-to-play title launching this year for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, and mobile.
A series that started in 1996 on the Sega Saturn, players will take charge of their team and ensure that all their squad members are up to the task of winning. This will take place in Career Mode, where it can be either your hometown club or your dream organisation; whatever it is, you must mentor your players to glory.
Aside from the chase for honours, there is also the Dream Team mode, where you can compete in a host of PvP and PvE matches to show the world who’s on top. The journey will also have cross-save support, so you can always be near to your team.
Of course, player likeness and licenses are always a huge component of a football experience in video game form. On that front, SEGA Football Club Champions 2025 will have the support of major leagues from Europe, including a partnership with Manchester City FC. Over 5,000 real footballers from FIFPRO, Meiji Yasuda J.League, K League, and more are also in the game.
Ahead of its release, SEGA will be holding a Closed Beta Test. This event will take place from June 19 to 30, with registration now open. There will also be an SFCC initiative to help players connect with developers in an effort to improve the game further. More details on that will be shared in the coming months.
It might not be on the same level as the Champions League experience of the Football Manager franchise, but at least it’s something. SEGA Football Club Champions 2025 will launch this year for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, mobile, and PC.
