Hardcore Mode increases difficulty through intelligence, pressure, and competition. Opposing managers are smarter and more adaptable, club boards are far less patient, and the transfer market becomes a ruthless battlefield. There are no easy rebuilds, no long grace periods, and no safe seasons. Tactical preparation, squad planning and consistency are essential to survive.
- Smarter, more adaptable AI managers;
- Highly ambitious and impatient boards;
- A more competitive transfer market without adding extra money;
- Reduced margin for error across all leagues.
Hardcore Mode is fair, realistic, and punishing — difficulty earned, not forced.
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💸 Berserk Mode – Survival Football
Berserk Mode takes everything from Hardcore Mode and pushes it further by attacking the financial foundations of football. Money is tight, budgets are reduced, and growth becomes painfully slow. Every contract matters. Every transfer is a risk. Financial mismanagement is no longer forgiven.
- Global financial nerf;
- Zero transfer and wage budgets;
- Removed sponsorship income;
- Slower club growth and harsher consequences.
This is survival football. Only well-run clubs endure.
Two paths. One goal. Survive football at its hardest.




![FM26 Data Tweaks [v1.7 | v2.8]](https://i.postimg.cc/t4fKVrB7/wonderkid.png)


Discussion: [FM26] Ultimate Difficulty Pack
92 comments have been posted so far.
Somehow all the budgets were increase. I was still in April and promotion wasn't gain at this stage.
I got promoted after winning a league in April so the board change the budget again. I have now 1.16m for transfer, 185k p/w (wages).
It could be a game thing and nothing to do with your update.
the restrictions should be less after a season.
I did asked the board to increase transfer budget. Which was rejected twice.
I'm in April now and some of the players is willing to talk to me about the contract.
I just wonder if the financial problem in the club (repayment plan) is not going to be a reason for sacking. Every month I spend more than I earn. Even though I have almost full stadium each home match 25000 people. Did you interfere with this too?
Selling players is not an option when you cant sign replacement.
maybe it’s better the hardcore one…
Free transfers impossible because no one wants to join you.
Even now in February I usually looking to sign players which contract expiring in 6m and non of them want to sign for me.
Loaning out players to reduce/increase your wage budget doesn't work as it is set to the same.
- Smarter, more adaptable AI managers;
- Highly ambitious and impatient boards;
- A more competitive transfer market;
I'm in February now and players still not interested to sign for me even though they play is weaker teams in the same league.
unless you sell, you wont make money for wages