How to upload New Database into Football Manager: All You Need to Know

Football Manager is more than just a football simulation game. It is a deep management experience where every decision, from tactics to transfers, is driven by data. A key element in this experience is the Football Manager Database, which contains everything regarding players, clubs, leagues, staff, finances, and competitions throughout the world.

While the default database is detailed, many players prefer to enhance or customise their save by adding new databases. This Football Manager database upload guide explains how to upload new database into Football Manager.

Types of Databases in Football Manager

Various types of databases exist on Football Manager:

Official Databases

These are added by Sports Interactive and typically include staff (Managers and Coaches) and new transfers being made by football clubs during the football season (Transitional Changes), as well as changes made to the structure of competitions during the season (Competition Changes). Official databases are automatically integrated into the game and do not require manual installation.

Football Manager Custom Database

These databases are created by the Football Manager community using the official editor. Football Manager custom database is the most popular option and includes:

• Updated real-life transfers before official patches
• New leagues and lower divisions
• Expanded youth systems
• Corrected player attributes and finances

Historical Databases

Historical databases recreate past seasons such as 2005–06 or 2010–11. With these databases, players can create and manage a team with legendary players from that season, and change the footballing history.

Fantasy and Fictional Databases

These databases introduce fictional clubs, leagues, or altered player worlds. Some fantasy databases de-age legends, merge leagues, or create completely new football universes.

How to Upload New Database into Football Manager?

Here is the Football Manager database upload guide. A Football Manager database file usually comes in the .fmf format. Players must place these files in the correct specific folders called editor data. Thus, the game will recognise these files, and they can be utilised in the game.

Uploading a custom database into Football Manager is an easy process once you know how to. Here's how to upload new database into Football Manager on Windows, macOS, or another operating system:

Step 1: Download the Database File

First, download the database you want to use from a trusted source. The file will usually be:

• A single .fmf file
• Or a compressed ZIP or RAR folder containing the .fmf file

If the file is compressed, extract it using tools like WinRAR or 7-Zip. Make sure to download it according to the format. Now you need Add new database in Football Manager.

Step 2: Install the database in Football Manager (Windows)

To install the database in Football Manager on Windows, follow this path:

• Documents → Sports Interactive → Football Manager 2026 → editor data

If the editor data folder does not exist, create it manually. Make sure the folder name is exactly written as editor data.

Step 3: Install Database in Football Manager (macOS)

For macOS users, the process to add new database in Football Manager is similar:

• Documents → Sports Interactive → Football Manager 2026 → editor data

Paste the .fmf file inside the editor data folder. If the folder is missing, create it yourself.

Step 4: Install Database in Football Manager (Linux and Others)

On Linux systems, the editor data folder is usually located at:

• Home Directory → Sports Interactive → Football Manager 2026 → editor data

The steps remain the same. Place the .fmf file inside the folder and ensure it is not nested within another subfolder.

Step 5: Launch Football Manager and Enable the Database

After placing the files correctly, here's what you need to do:

1. Launch Football Manager
2. Click on Start a New Career
3. Choose New Game (as it doesn't support saved games)
4. On the database selection screen, click the Database dropdown
5. Tick the custom database you uploaded
6. Continue to Advanced Setup
7. Select leagues, database size, and start the game

And you are good to go. Your game will now run your preferred databases.

6. Optimising Database Performance

Remember one thing: when you upload large databases, the in-game performance might be hindered. To keep everything balanced and have a smooth gameplay, this is what you need to do:

• Keep your main league playable
• Set other leagues to view only
• Use player loading by nationality for talent-rich regions
• Avoid loading too many playable leagues at once

Where to Download Football Manager Databases

Now you know how to upload new database into Football Manager, but do you know where you need to download it? Here are some of the most trusted community platforms that offer safe and tested database websites:

Common Errors and How to Fix Them

Even after following every step correctly, players might face some issues. Here's how to fix them.

• Players might not get to see the database in the game they have just installed. This might happen due to pasting the .fmf files in the wrong target folder. Make sure the .fmf file is located within the editor data folder directly. Do not place it inside any other subfolder.

• If your game is crashing repeatedly after launching, then you might have installed the wrong or incompatible database version. So, make sure to download the database according to the correct version and platform.

• If you have multiple databases that are modifying the same League, then the game might crash as well. So, disable the Databases that overlap with one another. Test one Database at a time.

• As mentioned earlier, the game might face performance issues if you have installed too many Playable leagues and Players. Limit your Playable Leagues and only use View-only Leagues.

That's the end of our guide on how to upload new database into Football Manager. Do not forget to check out the recent Football Manager Update 26.1.1 on our official website.