CTRL 26 - v1.8

Supported FM version: 26.3.2 (June 9th)
Supported Platform: Windows and macOS

Ctrl 26 Skin Preview

Installation (FMSB)

Use FM Skin Builder to download CTRL, apply it to your game, and keep backups, all without juggling files by hand. When a new release is available, you’re notified in the app so you can update and apply it to your game from the same place. This is the easiest way to install the skin and get future updates.

Download the skin in the skins gallery, or grab it directly from the website: CTRL 26 on FM Skin Builder

Installation (Manual)

Extract the bundle files into your game installation folder (replace the existing files when prompted).

Windows:
Steam:

\Steam\steamapps\common\Football Manager 26\fm_Data\StreamingAssets\aa\StandaloneWindows64

Xbox Game Pass:

\XboxGames\Football Manager 26\Content\fm_Data\StreamingAssets\aa\StandaloneWindows64

Epic:

\Epic Games\Football Manager 26\fm_Data\StreamingAssets\aa\StandaloneWindows64

macOS:
Right-click the Football Manager app → Show Package Contents. 
Then navigate to the bundles folder using a similar path structure as above (`Content` → `Resources` → `Data` → `StreamingAssets` → `aa` → `StandaloneOSX`).

Paste and replace the supplied bundles.

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Repository (source files, for personal use with FM Skin Builder): https://github.com/matt-wadsworth/ctrl-fm

Thanks to lotsgon, Darkside, (sic), MrTini23 and everyone else working to improve the FM skinning experience.

Notes

Recommended for 1920x1080 and above, with Small font size scaling. May work with other setups but this isn't tested.
Same for languages, tested and built in English, other languages may have issues.

Changelog

[1.8] - 10-06-2026

Fixed

• 26.3.2 Support - Compatibility with the FM 26.3.2 update.

Added

• Backgrounds - Background images added to main screens throughout the game (Player Reports, Tactics, Squad, Club Sites and more) for a more consistent look across the skin and a slightly brighter overall feel.
• Competition Backgrounds - Subtle competition-themed backgrounds re-introduced for licensed leagues and cups (Premier League, Champions League, Bundesliga, World Cup and more).
• Pre-match Graphics - Added CTRL styled pre-match lineup and table assets, replacing the default look.

Changed

• Styling Refresh - Adjusted tiles, tool panels and status colours so existing elements read clearly against the new backgrounds.
• Tiles - Loans - Increased size of Loans card to show more information.

[1.7.2] - 31-05-2026

Fixed

• Match - Controls - Fixed crash with playback controls button/menu.
• Match - Team Stats - Replaced the team stats tile with a working version.
• Scoreboard - Fixed aggregate score display.
• Scoreboard - Fixed Nation flags/logos loading on unlicensed fixtures.
• Player Report - Performance - Tidied up the Performance tile layout to avoid overlapping elements.

[1.7.1] - 29-05-2026

Fixed

• Crash fix for Player Report tiles.

[1.7] - 29-05-2026

Fixed

• 26.3.1 Support - Compatibility with the FM 26.3.1 International Management update.
• New Career Tiles - Fixed styling on the quick start tiles when starting a new career.

Added

• Next Match Widget - Support for Nation matches and when you manage a Club and Nation.
• Main Menu / Startup - New look for International Management / World Cup.
• New Scoreboard - Custom default scoreboard with CTRL styling and layout; replaces the non-licensed scoreboard only.
• Formations - Player portraits on ongoing and past Match formation panels.

Changed

• Player Tooltip - Fixed missing header and added season stats.

[1.6] – 12-05-2026

Fixed

• Average Rating - Fixed the colour scale so ratings keep consistent hues instead of shifting to mismatched colours.
• Budget Adjustment - Fixed modal styling for Budget Adjustment and similar modals.
• Radio Group - Made more subtle, consistent with the rest of the skin.
• Search Component - Fixed styling for the search box and results.
• SpeakTo - Additional Actions - Styling fixes for the additional-actions UI.

Added

• Next Match Widget - Added to navigation area.
• Player Status - Added themed status indicators for consistency with the rest of the skin.

Changed

• Navigation - Removed navigation icons and re-introduced the active section highlight.
• Meetings - Adjusted styling for elements used in Meetings and Press Conferences.
• Match Tile Layout - Re-introduced the horizontal 2D viewer layout.

[1.5] – 30-04-2026

Fixed

• Player Tooltip - Fixed Key/Pref row highlighting plus added more info.
• Player Photos - Fixed/removed some styling on Player Photos on Report tiles.
• SpeakTo - Advice - Removed purple gradient and label.

Added

• Match - Club Profile - Added more info to the tile layout.
• Scouting - Table Views - Added new table views for Recommended players and TransferRoom in results. Based on sas/SYC tables. ("Scout - Position" views)
• Icons - Fatigue - Added new icons for fatigue levels.

Changed

• Table Rows - Added subtle background to alternate rows.
• My History - Refactored the layout of the My History card to reduce scrolling.
• Buttons - Secondary - Re-added border to give some visual definition.
• Icons - Stars - Increased clarity and sharpness on the star icons.
• Icons - Union - Changed attribute change icons to be more visible/solid.

[1.4] – 31-03-2026

Fixed

• FM26.3 - Support for 26.3 update.

Changed

• Tile Layouts - Adjusted some layouts around the Stages/League tile to make better use of the available space.

[1.3.1] – 29-03-2026

Fixed

• Squad Screen - Reverted change to IP/OOP tabs that caused crashes on non-First Team squads.

[1.3] – 28-03-2026

Added

• Match - Squad Panel - Replaced Kits with Player Portraits.
• Tactics - Added Player Portraits to Tactic pitch view. (thanks to TangFu)

Changed

• Portal - Messages Tile - Moved UABEA changes to UXML. Cleaned up tile and buttons.
• Match - Scoreboard - Moved to the left of the screen. Re-aligned items affected by this.
• Match - Layout - Adjusted to fit better with the left scoreboard.

Fixed

• Squad Screen - Tidy up of the IP/OOP tabs.

[1.2] – 13-03-2026

Added

• Support for update 26.2 (March 11th) - Updated and fixed any related issues.
• Job Market - Changed the screen layout to show more of the main table.

Changed

• Star Icons - Reduced saturation of Gold icons.
• Tile Indicators - Changed styling of current/active tile.

[1.1.1] – 25-02-2026

Fixed

• Individual Training - Fixed a bug preventing Praise/Criticise actions from showing.

[1.1] – 25-02-2026

Added

• Pros and Cons – Added to Player Reports.
• Match View - Added Pass Maps.
• Individual Training - New tile layout.
• Player Reports - New tile layouts for Overview, Performance and Career tabs.

Changed

• Key/Preferred attribute highlights – Made these more obvious (may still tweak; want to keep them quite subtle).
• Match View - Re-arranged tiles and updated Commentary Bar styling.
• Switches - Updated styling.
• Font - Removed replacement of language fonts.
• Club Site - Added more relevant info - based on MrTini/WTS layouts.
• Checkboxes - Updated styling.
• Messages Unread Indicator - Increased contrast.

Fixed

• Player Polygon – Fixed for goalkeepers.
• Warning Icon - Reverted to white icon to make it visible on Continue/Must Respond buttons.
• Background Replacement - Fixed for Bundesliga and added others in case another league was missed.
• Incoming Messages - Removed blue background.

[1.0] – 20-02-2026

• Initial release of the CTRL skin.