The big question for Football Manager fans is whether FM26 will run smoothly on the Steam Deck. While an official compatibility rating is still pending, recent developer comments suggest Valve’s handheld is certainly on their radar.
Football Manager 26’s system requirements have been released alongside a new match day experience trailer. The minimum specifications appear favorable for the Steam Deck, but the recommended specs raise some performance concerns. Don’t expect an official Steam Deck compatibility rating until after the game launches.
Football Manager 26 Steam Deck Compatibility Status
As of now, Football Manager 26 lacks an official Steam Deck rating. This isn’t unusual, considering we’re still awaiting a confirmed release date, though the game is anticipated to arrive before the close of 2025.
Past Football Manager titles have performed adequately on the Steam Deck, yet they’ve never received official ‘Verified’ status. This usually stems from the game’s tiny text and absence of native controller support, which is typically reserved for console editions.
Analyzing the newly released system requirements, FM26 might present a tougher challenge for the Steam Deck. The game’s new graphics engine, aiming for recommended performance, calls for an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060, a GPU more powerful than the Steam Deck’s custom AMD chip. However, the minimum requirement of a GTX 960 is much more attainable for Valve’s handheld.
Recently, Sports Interactive studio head Miles Jacobson discussed FM26, touching upon display resolutions. He noted that some alpha testers were playing FM26 at higher resolutions than the development team, explicitly mentioning the Steam Deck as a platform players use. The Steam Deck was brought up again later in the discussion, offering a glimmer of hope to handheld enthusiasts that the game will indeed be playable on Valve’s device.
Only time will reveal if FM26 secures a positive Steam Deck compatibility rating. However, any official confirmation is unlikely to arrive before the game’s release later this year.
For the ultimate Football Manager experience on a handheld gaming PC, consider pairing your device with a quality Steam Deck dock. This allows you to effortlessly connect a mouse and keyboard, enhancing gameplay and navigation.
Are you planning to dive into Football Manager 26 on your Steam Deck, or will you stick to a traditional gaming PC or laptop? Share your thoughts with us!