================================================================================ FM26 STADIUM PACK - INSTALLATION GUIDE by Bassy

Hey, thanks for downloading. Installing this isn't complicated but you DO need to read this. If you skip steps and then ask for help, I'm going to point you right back here.

Let's go.

================================================================================ STEP 1 - ANTIVIRUS EXCEPTION (DO THIS FIRST)

This pack uses BepInEx, a modding framework that injects into the game. Your antivirus WILL throw a fit about it. It's safe. I promise.

Add your FM26 folder as an exception BEFORE you install anything.

WINDOWS DEFENDER: Settings > Privacy & Security > Virus & threat protection > Manage settings > Exclusions > Add or remove exclusions > Add your FM26 folder.

NORTON: Open Norton > Settings > Antivirus > Scans and Risks > Exclusions / Low Risks > Configure > Add Folder > Add your FM26 folder.

AVAST: Open Avast > Menu > Settings > General > Exceptions > Add Exception > Browse to your FM26 folder.

MCAFEE: Open McAfee > My Protection (or Virus & Threat Protection) > Real-Time Scanning > Excluded Files > Add Folder > Add your FM26 folder.

OTHER ANTIVIRUS: Google "[your antivirus name] add folder exception" - they all have it.

If you skip this step and the game won't launch, that's why. I get asked about this daily. Don't be that person.

================================================================================ STEP 2 - FIND YOUR FM26 FOLDER

STEAM: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Football Manager 2026
(Right-click FM26 in Steam > Manage > Browse local files)

EPIC: C:\Program Files\Epic Games\FootballManager2026\

XBOX / MICROSOFT STORE: C:\XboxGames\Football Manager 2026\Content
(Xbox app > FM26 > three dots > Manage > Files)

================================================================================ STEP 3 - INSTALL

1. Extract the zip

2. You'll see these files and folders: BepInEx/ <-- main folder (plugins, configs, etc.) dotnet/ <-- required runtime files doorstop_config.ini <-- BepInEx loader config changelog.log <-- pack changelog .doorstop_version <-- loader version file

3. Copy ALL of them into your FM26 folder. Not just BepInEx. All of these files are required. If you only copy BepInEx, it won't work.

4. Your FM26 folder should look like this:

   Football Manager 2026/ ├── BepInEx/ ├── dotnet/ ├── doorstop_config.ini ├── .doorstop_version ├── changelog.log ├── winhttp.dll └── ...

Launch the game. Everything loads automatically.

================================================================================ STEP 4 - CHECK IT WORKS

Load a save, go into a match. You should see the custom stadiums, crowds, lighting, etc.

If something looks off, check this file:

      BepInEx/LogOutput.log

That file tells you exactly what loaded and what didn't. Note! There is a difference in a warning and an error. Errors matter, warnings do not!

================================================================================ TROUBLESHOOTING

I cannot stress this enough: if you get an error, READ IT.

The error message tells you what's wrong. Screenshotting it and sending it to me without reading it yourself wastes both our time.

99% of issues come down to: - Wrong folder (re-read Step 2) - Antivirus blocking it (re-read Step 1) - Missing files (re-extract the zip, don't drag individual files)

"Game crashes on startup" Wrong folder or antivirus. Always.

"Nothing changed, looks vanilla" The pack might not have a stadium for that team yet.

"FPS is bad" See the Performance section below.

================================================================================ HOW TO: CHANGE A STADIUM

After launching the game once, a config file gets created at:

BepInEx/Plugins/StadiumInjection/team_mappings.txt

Format is simple: StadiumID:bundlename.bundle

The .bundle files live in: BepInEx/plugins/CustomStadium/

Want one stadium for EVERY team? Set ReplaceAllStadiums = true and pick your bundle with DefaultBundle.

================================================================================ HOW TO: DELETE INDIVIDUAL MATCH BALLS

Custom balls are stored per competition in: BepInEx/plugins/BallInject/balls/

 balls/
 ├── default/        <-- fallback ball
 │   └── ball.bundle
 ├── 11/              <-- Premier League (competition ID)
 │   └── ball.bundle
 ├── 12/              <-- Championship
 │   └── ball.bundle
 └── ...

Don't want a custom ball for a specific competition? Delete the ball.bundle from that folder. That's it. The game falls back to the default FM ball automatically.

Want to remove ALL custom balls? Delete everything inside the balls/ folder.

================================================================================ HOW TO: DISABLE CROWDS (PERFORMANCE)

The custom crowds look okay, but they cost FPS:

Turn them off completely by removing the folder: BepInEx/plugins/CrowdInjectV2/ Game goes back to FM's default crowds.

================================================================================ PERFORMANCE TIPS

If your FPS is struggling, try these in order: Disable plugins you don't need:

1: Remove CrowdInjectV2/ 2: Remove LightingInject/

NOTE: Config files only appear AFTER you launch the game once with the plugin active. No config file? Launch the game first.

Keep in mind I am working on this actively and more config options will come down the line.

================================================================================ OTHER SETTINGS

All configs live in: BepInEx/config/ Open with any text editor. Change values, save, restart the game.

STADIUMS (com.bassy.fm26.stadiuminjection.cfg) EnableCustomStadiums - Master on/off ReplaceAllStadiums - One stadium for everyone DisableAdboards - Hide ad boards EnableLightmaps - Toggle lightmap loading

LIGHTING (com.bassy.fm26.lightinginject.cfg) EnableLightingControl - Master on/off Intensity Multipliers - Brightness per time of day Shadow Strength - Shadow darkness per time of day

================================================================================ UNINSTALLING

Delete these from your FM26 directory: - BepInEx/ (folder) - dotnet/ (folder) - doorstop_config.ini (file) - .doorstop_version (file) - changelog.log (file) - winhttp.dll (file)

Game goes back to normal. No registry entries, no leftover traces.

================================================================================ BEFORE YOU ASK FOR HELP

1. Did you actually read the error message?
2. Did you check BepInEx/LogOutput.log?
3. Is BepInEx in the right folder?
4. Did you add the antivirus exception?
5. Did you try disabling plugins one by one?

If the answer to all of these is yes, then hit me up. Otherwise, start from the top.

================================================================================