In a surprising announcement reported by VGC, Sega has revealed that it is bringing back its classic football management series SakaTsuku to the global market for only the second time. The new entry, titled Sega Football Club Champions 2025, will be a free-to-play title released across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Steam, iOS, and Android platforms.
Powered by Football Manager Technology
According to official information, Sega Football Club Champions 2025 is developed using technology and structure from the Football Manager franchise—though it remains unclear how deeply this collaboration influences the gameplay mechanics.
The official description reads:
“Sega Football Club Champions is the latest multi-platform football management simulation from Sega. Play for free! Start with a local club and rise to compete on the global stage.”
While the English website hints at collaboration with Football Manager, the Japanese site confirms that this is, in fact, the newest installment in the Pro Soccer Club o Tsukurou! series—known internationally as SakaTsuku. The series dates back to 1996 on the Sega Saturn, where it focused heavily on managing a Japanese football club through the J.League system.
A Long-Awaited Return to a Classic Franchise
Over the years, the SakaTsuku series saw nearly 25 different installments, but only one entry—Let’s Make a Soccer Team!—was ever officially released in Europe and Australia. That makes Sega Football Club Champions 2025 a rare and notable comeback for a long-standing series beloved by fans of football simulation games.
Game Modes: Career and PvP
The game will offer two primary modes:
- Career Mode: Players take full control of their club, making strategic decisions to build the most successful team in history.
- Dream Team Mode: A competitive PvP mode where players can challenge others worldwide.
Official Licensing and Real-World Players
Sega has confirmed that the game will feature a FIFPro license, meaning over 10,000 real footballers will be included. This includes 1,500 players from Japan’s J1 to J3 leagues. Additionally, licenses for the K League (South Korea) and Manchester City Football Club have also been secured, with more expected to follow.
Closed Beta Test Coming in June 2025
A closed beta test will take place from June 19 to June 30, 2025, allowing players to preview the game and provide feedback ahead of its official launch. Registration will be open until June 13, and only 15,000 players will be selected to participate.
Filling the Gap Left by Football Manager 2025
The announcement comes at a time when fans of the Football Manager franchise are still waiting for news on its next installment. Football Manager 2025 was officially canceled in early 2024, despite plans to introduce women’s football and a new Unity-based graphics engine. As Sports Interactive shifts focus to the long-term future of the series, Sega Football Club Champions 2025 may serve as a welcome alternative for football management enthusiasts worldwide.
