Major Update: Match System, Player Attributes, Formations & Training Overhaul

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 [c]F1[/c].

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 [c]Alt + F4[/c]

• 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.