FM 27 Launch Preview: How to Play It for Free

The FM 27 Launch Preview opens at 6pm GMT on 29 October 2026 and is free for everyone on PC and Mac until 6pm GMT on 3 November. No sign-up is needed, every mode is unlocked and your career carries over to the full game.

Sports Interactive (SI) has scrapped the old Beta / early access system this year and replaced it with a Launch Preview that is meant to be closer to the final release. According to VGC, SI believes a free, all-modes preview for an annual title is an industry first. Below we cover the dates, how to play on each platform, what happens when the free period ends and how save transfers work, all based on the official announcement. For how early access worked previously, see our FM25 release date article.

When does the FM 27 Launch Preview start?

Period	Starts (GMT)	Ends (GMT)	Who can play?
Free Launch Preview	29 October 2026, 6pm	3 November 2026, 6pm	Everyone on PC and Mac
Paid Launch Preview (pre-purchase)	3 November 2026, 6pm	10 November 2026 (launch)	Pre-purchasers via SEGA-approved stores, Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members
Full release	10 November 2026	–	Owners and Game Pass members

The official announcement says the free period starts at 6pm GMT on 29 October and runs for five days.

How to play the FM 27 Launch Preview for free

According to SI, there is no extra sign-up or code. You simply download the game from your preferred platform.

1. Pick a platform: Steam, Epic Games, the Microsoft Store, Xbox Game Pass or PC Game Pass.
2. Check your PC: the Steam page lists at least 6 GB of RAM, a graphics card with 1 GB of VRAM and 20 GB of storage. Mac players need at least macOS 13.
3. Download from the store page: after 6pm GMT on 29 October, download Football Manager 27 from its store page. If you wishlisted it, your platform will notify you.
4. Start your career: every game mode is available in the free period, and SI has not mentioned any time or progress cap.

No preview has been announced for the console (PS5, Xbox Series) or mobile versions. The official announcement only mentions PC and Mac.

What happens when the free period ends?

After 6pm GMT on 3 November, there are two ways to keep playing the Launch Preview:

• Pre-purchase: buy the game from a SEGA-approved digital retailer between 6pm GMT on 3 November and launch on 10 November to get 10% off and continue your Launch Preview save.
• Game Pass: Launch Preview access is limited to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members. If you started a career on Game Pass, you can continue it through your subscription.

As of 25 October, no store page lists an FM 27 price. Press reports cite £49.99 and €59.99/$59.99; the final price will show when pre-purchase opens.

Save transfer: will I lose my career?

No. SI says saves started in the free period continue into the paid Launch Preview and the full release on 10 November without restarting. Game Pass players can also continue their careers through their subscription.

One caveat: SI says some Launch Preview data is still under rights-holder approval, may not fully reflect the real world, and some club and player assets may be missing. You may prefer to start your long-term main save with full-release data.

What can you try in the Launch Preview?

SI's announcement highlights these changes in the preview:

• a clearer interface and new navigation (Portal, Squad, Tactics, Recruitment, Training, Club),
• an enhanced match engine,
• Tactical Tweaks, which let you make changes during matches without opening the Tactics screen,
• Tactical Effectiveness, which links tactics, training and recruitment,
• new training ground tools.

SI's feature deep dives also cover cup draws, Transfer Deadline Day, the redesigned news feed and the new match day atmosphere.

Launch Preview vs the old Beta vs the FirstLook playtest

Programme	Who is it for?	Status
Old Beta / early access	Pre-order customers	Replaced by the Launch Preview in FM 27
FM 27 Launch Preview	Everyone for the first five days, then pre-purchasers and Game Pass Ultimate / PC Game Pass members	Opens on 29 October
FM 27 playtest (FirstLook)	Registered players selected by SI	Development test announced in August 2026; entry not guaranteed

According to Passion4FM, SI opened a playtest programme with firstlook.gg on 11 August 2026. It exists to gather development feedback and is separate from the public Launch Preview.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the FM 27 Launch Preview open?

At 6pm GMT on 29 October 2026. The free period ends at 6pm GMT on 3 November.

Do I need to pre-order to play the FM 27 Launch Preview?

Not during the free period: everyone on PC and Mac can play. To keep going after 3 November you need to pre-purchase or have Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass.

Do FM 27 Launch Preview saves carry over?

Yes. SI says careers started in the free period continue into the paid preview and the full game without restarting.

Is the FM 27 Launch Preview on console?

The official announcement only mentions PC and Mac. No preview has been announced for PS5 or Xbox Series.