Maximum Football, the independent football game from Maximum Entertainment, has announced the official release date for its long-awaited Franchise Mode.
In a deep dive video release on Monday, it was confirmed that Maximum Football’s Franchise Mode will launch on December 9 for all platforms.
The mode, which is included in the $40 Legend Pass version of the game, was originally planned for 1.0 release before being delayed for polish and further feature implementation.
You can check out full details of the mode below, courtesy of Maximum Entertainment. Maximum Football is available for free on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Included in the free version is Exhibition mode, Maximum Pro League (Card Collecting Mode), a limited version of Dynasty Mode, and more.
Access to unlimited Dynasty Mode is included in the $20 “Dynasty Premium Access” version of the game. Both Franchise and Dynasty are available in the aforementioned Legend Pass edition.
Maximum Football Franchise Mode Details
College and Pro Football in One Game
This is the defining feature for Maximum Football. You can link a Dynasty team to Franchise mode, uniting the college and professional worlds seamlessly.
During setup, choose one of your existing Dynasties to connect. Every graduating senior from that Dynasty automatically becomes a draft-eligible prospect in your Franchise. Even if you play your Dynasty years into the future, your Franchise will always reference the correct graduating class for the draft.
Note: Each Dynasty can only be connected to one Franchise.
Franchise League Setup
Franchise mode is all about freedom and customization. It starts with your League Setup, where you’ll find more options than any other franchise experience in football gaming.
Choose your league size:
- 32 teams: The classic pro setup.
- 8 teams: A compact league inspired by spring football.
- 12 teams: A nod to the 80s pro football.
- 16 or 24 teams: Fully fictional formats for players who want to get creative.
Once you’ve chosen your league size, you can customize conferences and divisions to create your perfect ecosystem.
You’ll also have full control over game and rule settings, including:
- Overtime format
- Kickoff type
- Hashmark width
- Number of feet required for a catch
- Ball type (Line or No Line)
- 2-point conversion yard line
- Down-by-contact rules
- PAT distance
- Scoring values for touchdowns and safeties
- Two-minute warning behavior
- Quarter length, play clock, and acceleration rates
- Fair catch
After finalizing your setup, you can import your custom teams, organize your league, and hire your coaching staff to begin your journey.
Stadium Management
Franchise mode brings a new layer of depth to stadium management.
Each team begins with its own home stadium, which you’ll upgrade over time instead of replacing entirely. As your facilities improve, you’ll unlock new items and amenities to sell inside the venue, boosting your revenue and fan satisfaction.
You’ll also control tiered-ticket pricing, setting values for general seating, premium sections, and luxury suites. The more desirable the seat, the higher the price you can charge. Balancing pricing with attendance will be key to maximizing profits.
New Staff Roles
Franchise mode introduces several new front-office roles that directly impact your success both on and off the field:
- Marketing Director – Secures sponsorships and promotional deals. Each sponsor offers unique contracts based on your performance and fit. A skilled marketing director unlocks the most profitable opportunities.
- Team Doctor – Manages player health and recovery. The higher your doctor’s expertise, the more accurate your weekly injury reports and recovery timelines will be.
- Accountant – Oversees budgets, upgrades, and the salary cap. A top-tier accountant helps you find cheaper facility upgrades and keeps your team financially healthy throughout the season.
Together, these roles bring authenticity and depth to the business side of running a team.
Coaching Staff
Coaching is expanding in Franchise mode. Each team will feature a Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, and Defensive Coordinator, each with their own attributes, philosophies, and impact on gameplay.
Every week, your staff delivers:
- Offensive and defensive scouting reports on your upcoming opponent.
- Preparation bonuses that temporarily boost player attributes.
- Weekly development summaries highlighting which players improved.
Building a staff with strong synergy and complementary schemes will help your team reach its potential faster.
Roster Management
In Franchise mode, there are three primary ways to strengthen your roster: Free Agency, Trading, and the Draft.
Free Agency
Every free agent in Maximum Football assigns themselves a desired contract value based on performance, age, and reputation. Your job is to find the balance between meeting a player’s expectations and protecting your cap space.
Players evaluate offers based on:
- Total contract value
- Length and guaranteed money
- Team prestige and culture
- Competing offers
- Market demand
During the offseason, you’ll receive immediate feedback on offers. During the season, negotiations may extend week-to-week as players weigh their options.
Trading
The trade system introduces strategy and realism. You can trade players or draft picks, but the AI carefully evaluates each offer. Considerations include:
- Player overall and age
- Contract length and morale
- Team depth at that position
- Injury history
- Whether teams share a division (in 16–32 team leagues)
Repeated failed offers can cause trade partners to lose patience, locking you out of negotiations temporarily. Teams remember how you treat them, so play the long game wisely.
Drafting
At the end of every offseason, you’ll conduct the Pro Draft.
If your Franchise is linked to a Dynasty, your draft class will consist of that year’s graduating seniors. If not, the game generates a class automatically. Any players who go undrafted will enter free agency as available prospects.
Mike has been covering the gaming industry since 2012, and has reported on some of the largest events in the industry while also working as an investigative reporter. Outside of…
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