Playing games against friends makes every match memorable, creating moments you’ll be talking about long after the final whistle. With the introduction of Shuffle Draft, there’s now another way to put your managerial skills to the test against friends, family, and online rivals. 

Developed in partnership with FIFAe - FIFA’s official digital, multi-game tournament circuit - Shuffle Draft reimagines the Fantasy Draft experience, introducing a new way to play FM27 that puts managerial strategy at the heart of the action. 

Fast paced and packed with variety, it challenges you to assemble different squads, experiment with your tactical approach, and outsmart your opponents - all brought to life by the enhanced Match Day experience in FM27. 

Learn more about Shuffle Draft in the Deep Dive blog[www.footballmanager.com] and check out a list of FAQs related to this update for more details.

FM27 – Free Play Launch Preview – FAQs 

Q: What is Shuffle Draft in FM27? 

A: Shuffle Draft is a new online game mode for FM27 that reimagines the Fantasy Draft mode from previous games. Created in conjunction with FIFAe, Shuffle Draft is designed to be a competitive, fun, adaptable experience to play solo, against friends, or the world. 

Q: Why has Shuffle Draft been added for FM27? 

A: Alongside the upgrades and additions to the single-player experience of FM27, we wanted to add a new option for players who enjoy online and competitive play. To achieve this, the team has adapted and improved the previous online draft format, to create something more engaging, unpredictable and rewarding to play. With the power to customise your playing pool and introduce re-drafts, Shuffle Draft gives you more ways to play. 

Q: What are the formats and player limits for Shuffle Draft? 

A: Up to 32 players can be part of a Shuffle Draft game. Selecting the Knockout Cup or Group Stage & Knockouts format will allow for 32 teams, while a League format allows up to 20 teams. 

Q: Can I play Shuffle Draft offline with AI opponents? 

A: Yes. A Shuffle Draft event can be created offline, with AI teams filling the required slots for any format you select. Additionally, when playing online, remaining spaces can be filled by AI managers. Both private and public lobby options are available, so you can design your own Shuffle Draft or join an event made by others. 

Q: How is the pool of selectable players established in Shuffle Draft? 

A: Before a draft begins, the event host selects the parameters to create ‘sets’ of 20 players, for participants to then draft from. As well having preset groups to choose from, such as ‘Wonderkids’, ‘Veterans’ and ‘World’s Best’, there is also the option to focus the draft pool on players with particular strengths, such as ‘Physicality’ or ‘Leadership’. Alternatively, the Shuffle Draft host can select an entirely custom pool of players, with filters and search tools to help select the right group. Players from both men’s and women’s football can be used in Shuffle Draft, though not within the same event. 

Q: How does the draft process work and what size are the squads? 

The pool of selected players is split into sets. There are as many sets as there are teams in the Shuffle Draft. Participants then have a set amount of time (chosen by the host) to select a player from a set. Once all teams have chosen a player, each set is then passed onto another participant – meaning everyone has a new set of players to select from. All teams draft players simultaneously, rather than waiting for your turn. 

At the end of each round you’ll see the player selected by every team and can view their squads, as well as your own, to aid with your tactical selections. As well as picking players, you can bookmark them to help with squad planning. You’ll always be able to see your selected players on screen, helping you understand what gaps in the squad are left to fill.  

Squads can consist of 14, 16, 18, or 20 players. Once all selections have been made, the tournament begins.  

Q: Once the squads are set, how does the tournament play out? 

A: Squad selection, tactical setup, and the Match Engine itself are all familiar to the single-player FM27 Career experience, with the same options and functionality available in Shuffle Draft. Matches can take place simultaneously, meaning a ‘round’ in a knockout tournament or a ‘match week’ in a league format will see matches occurring at the same time, with the ability to see results and statistics between games. 

Any player injuries or fatigue are removed before the next match, ensuring everyone has a fully fit squad of players to choose from each time. 

Q: What is a ‘Re-Draft’ in Shuffle Draft and how does it work? 

A: To add further unpredictability or tactical planning to a Shuffle Draft event, the Re-Draft option is available. This sees participants either return players to the draft pool, or remove them from the tournament entirely to replace them with a new player. Re-Drafts can occur up to five times through a Shuffle Draft, each of which can include a total of 20 returns or removals. These options are set by the event host during the initial setup process. 

Q: Is the gameplay shown for Shuffle Draft representative of what will be in FM27 on launch?   

A: The gameplay shown is from a development build of the game, meaning it is subject to change before FM27’s full release on 10 November. This build contains information that is still under approval process by right holders and may contain data that does not, at this time, accurately reflect real world data. 

Q: Is there more to come for pre-launch looks at FM27 gameplay and changes?  

A: Our next focus will be on non-PC titles this year, showcasing the fresh features and new additions that evolve each of FM27 Console, FM27 Touch and FM27 Mobile. 

Your first big tactical decision of the season is made easier this year as Football Manager 27 will be free to play on PC and Mac from 29 October to 3 November.

Starting at 6pm GMT on October 29 and running for the next five days, the FM27 Launch Preview will be freely playable across Steam, Epic, the Microsoft Store, Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass*.

There’s no sign-up required – you can simply download from your preferred platform and begin making the calls with all game modes available.

Going live alongside this free play period is the pre-purchase window for FM27, offering 10% off and continued Launch Preview for players on Steam, Epic and the Microsoft Store. The paid Launch Preview begins when the free play period ends at 6pm GMT on November 3, running up to full launch on November 10**. For players on Game Pass, you’ll be able to continue your save through your subscription.

The FM27 Launch Preview replaces what has previously been titled Beta / Advanced Access and it is intended to be closer in quality and finality to launch than previous early play builds***. 

All games started during the free play period can be continued through to both the paid Launch Preview and full launch without the need to start again. 

With a clearer interface, enhanced match engine and new layers of control on both the training ground and touchline with the introductions of Tactical Tweaks and Tactical Effectiveness, FM27 deepens immersion and invites discovery from the moment your career begins.

For more detail on this year’s new additions, dive deep into our Features page[www.footballmanager.com].

*Launch Preview will only be available for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers.

**This only applies to those purchasing via SEGA-approved digital retailers.

***This version contains information that is still under approval process by right holders and may contain data that does not, at this time, accurately reflect real world data. For context, some club and player assets may be absent during this version.

Q: What is the Launch Preview Free Play for Football Manager 27?

A: The Free Play period for FM27 is a chance for all PC players to experience this year’s game, at no cost, for five days. Players can digitally download and play FM27 until 3 November, ahead of the launch from 10 November. No additional sign-up is required; fans can simply download from their preferred platform and begin making the calls.

Q: When does the Launch Preview Free Play for FM27 take place?

A: FM27’s Launch Preview Free Play will be available from 6pm GMT on 29 October, until 6pm GMT on 3 November.

Q: Why will FM27 be free to download and play for this limited time?

A: Earlier in the cycle, we said we wanted to show more of the game before opening pre-orders and asking players to commit. With the free play period, we’ve taken that one step further, giving fans the opportunity to experience this year’s game for themselves before making a purchase. We also said we were committed to rebuilding player trust and confidence in the Studio, and the free play period is a tangible example of that commitment.

Q: What platforms is the FM27 Launch Preview Free Play available on?

A: Across PC and Mac, the Free Launch Preview of FM27 will be freely playable across Steam, Epic Games Store and Microsoft Store, or via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscriptions until 6pm GMT on November 3. It can be downloaded from the usual store pages for FM27 on each of these platforms.

Q: When will pre-purchasing be possible for FM27?

A: The pre-purchase window for FM27 will open alongside the Launch Preview Free Play at 6pm GMT on 29 October. This will be available on Steam, Epic and the Microsoft Store. Those who pre-purchase from a SEGA-approved digital retailer will receive a 10% discount on the game’s price of £49.99/€59.99/$59.99. Pre-purchasing for FM27 Console will not be available, but you can wishlist from 29 October.

Q: How does the Launch Preview Free Play connect to the usual ‘Advanced Access’ or period for FM27?

A: As soon as the Free Launch Preview for FM27 ends on 3 November, the Paid Launch Preview period begins. The Paid Launch Preview, taking the place of the previous ‘Advanced Access’, allows players who have pre-ordered FM27 on PC via any SEGA-approved digital retailer to continue playing the game, ahead of the official launch from November 10. The Launch Preview aims to deliver a version that is closer in quality and finality to launch than previous early play builds.

Q: Will there be any other incentives for pre-purchasing FM27?

A: Yes. Those who pre-purchaseFM27 from a SEGA-approved digital retailer will receive a 10% discount on the game’s price of £49.99/€59.99/$59.99.

Q: Will my save progress carry over through the Launch Preview to the full launch of FM27?

A: Yes. Any saves created in FM27 before launch can be continued into the paid period of Launch Preview and full launch without the need to start again.

Q: Can my save files from FM24 or FM26 be carried over to FM27?

A: Yes. FM27 will display an option in the start screen to carry over save progress from the previous two titles. To ensure this is possible, the relevant save data must be available on the relevant PC or in your platform account’s cloud save storage.

Q: Will the version of FM27 available during the Launch Preview Free Play be any different to what’s available from launch?

A: All modes, features and areas of FM27 are available in the Free Play period and there is no limit to the time or progress you can log. The build of the game used will be near-final, ahead of the 10 November launch. Details on any updates before 10 November, if they occur, will be shared across official FM channels.