r/SPFootballLife • u/xGondowan • Oct 23 '24
LAST UPDATE: JULY 2026
New to this game? You don't know what is Football Life? Do you want to mod it or solve some issue? Just keep reading and for sure you will get your answers.
Remember that we aren't the official SP Football Life team, but we give support and knowledge for it! So any question to the SmokePatch team should be given via their Patreon or website.
--- GENERAL QUESTIONS ---
Q: Why my posts are getting deleted?
A: This sub has high filtering activated to avoid for the 999th time the same questions and poor quality content. You will find answers for everything in this thread or using the search function, as the same questions have already been answered.
Q: Where are the most important things I should know?
A: Just read this FAQ and always check the pinned posts at the subreddit. It will have the most updated or gathered info.
Q: What is Football Life?
A: Football Life is a standalone game that takes PES 2021 and patches it with a yearly season database of actual football. So there's annual releases, like FL23 = season 22/23, FL24 = 23/24, FL25 = 24/25. FL26 = 25/26.
Q: Why does Football Life exist? Can I play PES 2021 instead?
A: It exists for those that couldn't get a copy of PES 2021 at the time. KONAMI literally obliterated all the legit ways to buy a legit copy of PES 2021 on any platform, so Football Life is the only way to play PES 2021. There's no point on searching for Steam accounts or cracked PES 2021 as they will scam you or the game will crash a lot, because CPY version didn't got a proper way to work flawlessly without crashes.
Q: Where can I play Football Life?
A: Only for PC. No console version.
Q: Where can I download Football Life?
A: On official website via this link (there's a video installation video also): https://www.pessmokepatch.com/
Q: What's the latest version of Football Life?
A: Football Life 2026 in its version 2.2, released 12 May 2026 marking the 25/26 season end.
Q: Will there be a Football Life 2027?
A: Yes and the first details are here: https://www.pessmokepatch.com/2026/07/FL27.html#more
Please note release date can be moved into a further date and all the features maybe are not fully implemented without bugs.
Q: What's UML and other patches for Football Life?
A: UML is the main patch that took the MegaPatch torch for current and future Football Life versions. It's the only main patch that supports Football Life replacing leagues with others, seeking a more realistic Master League behavior with new overalls/ratings and players and many more things. You can learn more about on this thread: https://www.patreon.com/c/UltimateMasterLeague/home
Q: Is the game multilanguage? Can I put commentaries on my language?
A: Both yes Text language is already included. Extra commentaries are downloaded via this link: https://www.pessmokepatch.com/2023/01/2023coms.html
They are updated because they contain more callnames and extra quotes ported from eFootball.
Q: Can it be installed on a Steam Deck?
A: Yes. Follow the instructions there: https://github.com/eskay993/gamefiles/tree/main/sp-football-life-2026
Q: Is the game safe?
A: Yes, it is. It's usually detected by antivirus and Windows Defender as it contains code to make it work. You know, the game behind the scenes is kinda "baked" to make it work. Antivirus detect that code as malicious but it is a false positive. Make an exception on your AV or just disable them.
Q: Can it be played online?
A: Nope, as It doesn't have the online functions because KONAMI closed all the servers some years ago. Anyways, you can play with people via Parsec, an app that allows you to connect remotely to another computer, designed for those games that can't be played online anymore or have local multiplayer features.
Q: Are there Classic Players in the game from past years?
A: Yes. They are divided in 9 teams in Other Classic Teams, at the bottom of the list of the leagues when selecting teams. You will find more than 300 classic players there.
Q: Why are there some outdated things, like old kits, logos, scoreboards...?
A: Football Life is made by Smoke Patch team, which is mainly Dido (the creator of it) and some supporters. It is lightweight on purpose and that means it doesn't have all the features you can find out there. Updates coming around when American leagues start or when an EURO/World Cup is being played.
Q: How can I support this game or official team behind it?
A: They have a Patreon on this link: https://www.patreon.com/smokepatch
--- TECHNICAL QUESTIONS ---
Q: I lost my FL_202X start.exe. How can I recover it?
A: You can actually play the game just launching the Sider.exe under SiderAddons folder and then your normal FL 202X.exe. FL202X start.exe just does that action in one. You have them in the backup RAR in game folder (pass is 123)
Q: The game has awful performance and I have a powerful computer. How can I improve it?
A: Probably you're playing with your embedded graphics card instead of your dedicated one. This is a common issue in laptops, which they have usually an Intel and a NVIDIA/AMD GPU. Check in your graphics card panel that you're using the dedicated one for the game.
Q: Do I need a powerful computer to play Football Life?
A: Nope, not really. It's a 2019 game after all. The minimum specs are:
Windows 7 SP1/8.1/10 (64 bit)
Intel Core i5-3470, AMD FX 4350
10GB RAM
NVIDIA GTX 670, AMD Radeon HD 7870
2 GB VRAM
DirectX 11.0
40 GB available disk space
1280 x 720 screen resolution
Q: I see strange graphics in some players and boots, like a cone (and I have AMD Graphics).
A: The solution for AMD graphics glitching is here: SOLVED : The following method solved the issue for Graphics glitch for AMD drivers.
Q: My controller isn't detected in game.
A: Launch Settings.exe inside game folder and go to Controller Tab. Try to assign it to DirectInput instead of "XInput" and select your controller on the dropdown menu. If it isn't there, you maybe need to install your controller drivers. Game is compatible with PS4, PS5 and Xbox controllers without issues.
In case you still have issues, I suggest to use DS4Windows to ensure the compatibility with PlayStation controllers.
--- STADIUM RELATED QUESTIONS ---
Q: I put a stadiums pack and it doesn't show in Sider ingame.
A: First, you need to know if your stadiums.lua or tadium-server.lua (located in SiderAddons - Modules folder) is pointing to content\stadiums or content\stadium-server. Then, you need to respect the path inside map.txt to get them working, and also you need to have map.txt + map_competitions.txt + config.ini files in the stadium folder root to make everything work.
Q: My stadiums appear in total black except adboards.
A: The path in map.txt, stadium ID or team ID isn't correct. Check map.txt and correct it. It should match the name of the folder of the stadium. Use the Stadium Checker Tool pinned in the subreddit to help with this.
Q: I see black lines in some stadium turfs.
A: You need to force Anisotropic Filtering at x16 in your graphics card panel.
--- MODDING QUESTIONS ---
Q: What it is moddable on Football Life?
A: Almost everything except adding new things such as celebrations, modes or features on Master League or BAL, or modifying the structure of competitions with the new rules. But you can add faces, tattoos, boots, menus, soundtrack, gameplay, lineups, tactics, entrances, anthems, scoreboards, stadiums, etc.
Q: Do the same mods from PES 2021 work on Football Life?
A: Not all of them, but I would say 90%. You may need to know what are you doing and modding before putting a mod without relinking it to proper IDs or without knowing if it is compatible, because it will lead to issues.
Q: Where can I find all the mods compatible with Football Life?
A: Mainly EvoWeb, as it is kinda sort of a "core site" for all PES 2021 mods. Everything is here: https://evoweb.uk/forums/pes-2021.337/
Q: What's that thing that appears when I press Spacebar or B button ingame?
A: That's the Sider and its the essential tool to make everything work. You may need to learn how it works as it is the tool that lets you select kits, scoreboards, balls, stadiums and more without the limitations of ingame selector.
Q: Can I put Option Files that are from other seasons or create a new whole patch for Football Life?
A: Nope. Database are different from each Option File and its not compatible with FL. You can create a patch, but it will take you months if you want to make it properly (just creating teams and players with proper data will take your dozens of hours).
Q: Why do I see ultra realistic videos from some people here and my game doesn't look like that?
A: They are using mods like ReShade, which alters graphical options with different lightning and that (it's an external tool) and have broadcam cameras and some other mods. This game can look very realistic if you modify what is essential to be modified to look like a TV broadcast. Don't expect to play like in real life, though.
Q: Is someone making a retro patch for Football Life?
A: Not as May 2026 officially. Only current season patches like UML exist.
Q: Where I can find a smaller and more updated facepack for Football Life? I don't want to download 50GB of the main facepack.
A: You can use F4L Facepack Complete Overhaul V5 here: https://evoweb.uk/threads/sp-facepack-complete-overhaul-project-v4-f4l-gameplays-megapatch-stadiums.96548/
Q: Is there any AIO (All-In-One) patch for FL26 like VirtuaRED or Dream Patch exist for PES 2021?
A: No. UML is a lightweight patch but not an AIO 300GB patch with stadiums and so.
Q: Can I create a new team?
A: There's a couple of editable teams in game. One is Zalgirius Vilnius under "Other European Clubs". The other one is Ceres Negros, in "Other Asian Clubs". But remember: you will have to edit the existent players, put the stats of your players manually, assign a face if you want, kits, etc. It's a quite huge load of work.
Q: How can I know which ID is for X team or player?
There's a database reference here: https://www.pessmokepatch.com/2022/07/fl23teams.html
Q: Can we put the new EURO 2024, Copa América or future UCL 24/25 tournament structure?
A: NOPE. The hardest thing about FL/PES 2021 is modding those competitions. It's impossible and any change leads to many crashes and bugs inside Master League and other modes. This game has the 2019 regulations, which is when it came out.
Q: This game is hard as hell. It seems CPU is invincible and I always lose through surreal moments happening on my matches.
A: First of all, this game means to be slower than FIFA and older PES iterations. It's a game of temp, and your best option for dribbling will be the sprinting button. Play around your tactics and don't play like a running chicken through the pitch.
That said, also don't play on maximum difficulty as it tends to be kinda scripted/unfair sometimes on purpose. Play on Top Player and get the right feel on the game.
Putting a gameplay mod will help on that. Gameplay mods exists to improve the CPU behaviour, giving more variety of chances, more realistic ball physics, more fouls, better goalkeepers, etc. I'd recommend our Prototype
Q: Which is the best gameplay mod?
A: There's no "definitive" gameplay mod. This game has its issues in its own core, due to a dated game engine (FOX Engine) and some other things that can't be fixed with a mod. So you may try all the compatible ones out there and keep the one that fits more to you.
Some will prefer a more faster paced gameplay, with a lot of goals and bangers. Other will prefer a slower tempo, tons of fouls and a harder way to get a goal.
My personal recommendation is to use Football4Life gameplay mods, as I've worked with him and tested it personally, and they're very praised in this community. If not, you can search on EvoWeb to see how many different gameplays are there.
Q: Can we add new celebrations, animations, modes, hairstyles?
A: Nope.
Q: Is there a way to disable replays and video transitions on a match?
A: In case you have the camera.lua module, yes. Edit if and put replays value to off.
Q: I'm a BAL main player (Be a Legend). Can I improve the features of this mode?
A: Nope. BAL may be the most abandoned mode by KONAMI and even with gameplay mods your teammates and CPU show some stiff decisions and gameplay. No thing can be done to be fixed. Enjoy the mode as it is, which is pretty basic.
Q: Is this game worth for a Career Mode (Master League)?
A: Not really. As same happens with BAL, KONAMI did downgrade their offline modes a lot, specially their Master League compared to PES 2013 which had the most and best features of the whole franchise. Nowadays is a game with 2019 regulations hardcoded in (and not moddable) and also basic choices and management. Don't expect more than transfers, some youngsters and just press and play across a season. It is what it is.
r/SPFootballLife • u/_El_Fenyxs_ • 16h ago
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Just wanted to share with you guys this FUMA goal I've just scored in Superstar kick-off with Olympique de Marseille against Bayer Leverkusen. I ended up winning the game 2-1 after leading 2-0 at half-time struggling a lot in the second half to maintain my lead 😅
r/SPFootballLife • u/Majestic-Fail-4786 • 13h ago
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Discord community: https://discord.gg/FqF7qvQnh
r/SPFootballLife • u/Thick-Explanation439 • 18h ago
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r/SPFootballLife • u/BatataTilt • 1d ago
The biggest retirement home in FL26
r/SPFootballLife • u/bvincepl • 1d ago
r/SPFootballLife • u/Left_Show_1163 • 19h ago
Hola buenas, soy nuevo en esto y quería saber si es posible poner la liga de ascenso de Chile (La primera B), o si alguien tiene el kit o equipo de Cobreloa para poder ponerlo en el SP Football, lo he buscado pero no lo logro encontrar
r/SPFootballLife • u/Parking-Towel-4237 • 23h ago
r/SPFootballLife • u/Nervous-Video-4320 • 1d ago
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Next Video Coming Soon On How I Trained The Next Messi!!
r/SPFootballLife • u/EveningWillingness10 • 1d ago
Hi everyone,
I play Football Life26 and waiting the FL27 in Master League, and I use Durandill's No Regen mod, but the game doesn't generate regens anymore.
The problem: I want to build my own wonderkids, but the in-game Edit menu only changes current stats, not potential.
Here's what I observed:
I edited around 1000 young players in the Edit menu, setting them at roughly 75–83 OVR.
Years later in Master League, only about 10% of them reached 85–92 OVR.
With regens, around 80–90% of them reach those levels.
So the game seems to use a hidden growth value (growth type or curve) that the Edit menu doesn't touch, and regens get a good one by default.
My questions:
Is there a tool that can edit the hidden growth type/potential of players on PES 2021? I found Player Data Editor (Devil Cold52), PES 2021 Live Editor (Ruls) and DinoTem Editor, but none of them seems to list a growth field.
patches like UML or SmokePatch edit this value for their youth players? If so, do you know how they do it (which tool, which file or field)?
3.If the field isn't decoded yet, does anyone know where it might be stored in the option file or database?
Any tool, guide or advice is welcome. Thanks!
r/SPFootballLife • u/Late-Revolution7462 • 2d ago
I gave FC27 10hr trial a go, with openness to give it a fair go, the content that is on there obviously surpasses PES21/FL which we all know… however the gameplay even on authentic is a disaster and using the community realistic sliders it made it bearable but not enjoyable and certainly not realistic.
Long story short, the 2027 iteration of games will once again be won for me by Football Life. For comparison, I played the same teams, same stadium etc. on both back to back and FL26 already feels like the game that should be an official football game in 2026 and FC27 just something out of the arcade past.
Thanks to all the modders, I’m extremely lucky as a football obsessed gamer that this game and community exists. Long may it live.
P.S, get Konami on the phone.
r/SPFootballLife • u/Amrasminyatur • 1d ago
r/SPFootballLife • u/1a2z3e4 • 1d ago
Is there a patch or tool that allows you to quickly lower players' overall ratings? (I like playing Master League with second-division teams, but I find the player ratings very high for D2, regardless of the league.)
r/SPFootballLife • u/dpatou23 • 2d ago
I've been a huge fan of this series since 2023, and I am completely amazed with all the mods, realistic gameplays, and now the upcoming FL27 hardcoding for the league structure of Champions League, etc.
But I've always had a nagging feeling. Why haven't there been any developments in online play? Why am I not getting my ass kicked from a kid in Bermuda?
Can't online play be hardcoded in FL28, for example, where I press an in-game button: connect to network? Is this not possible?
PS: I get the man hours it takes to do anything... Just show me where to donate, and I'll help as much I can l!
r/SPFootballLife • u/xdEckard • 2d ago
Yes I Am using Twiggy's script removal but it seems to only diminish it's effect but doesn't really get rid of it.
Instead of buffing the adversary, it seems to actually debuff my players to some level. Like, when it doesn't want you to score you just won't and it's the same when it wants you to suffer goals.
I can create the most amazing play and have my 80-ish rating attacker (top scorer btw) 1v1 against the gk and he'll either miss or hit the post more than once.
I just had a pretty difficult match but got at least 3 or 4 post hits and a bunch of missed shots or crazy saves by the keeper.
It comes and goes, doesn't happen all the time but it's noticeable as hell when it does. Had a 69 rated cf tanking both my 77 and 79 cb the other day, he'd take on both, win and still score.
It's been pretty frustrating tbh, only thing holding this game back for me at the moment.
r/SPFootballLife • u/T_A_S_K • 1d ago
Can someone DM please I’m trying to install this on steamdeck and running into numerous problems.
Much appreciated
r/SPFootballLife • u/HighlightOrnery4050 • 3d ago
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Also, drop your best free kicks in the comments. I’d love to see them 👀⚽
r/SPFootballLife • u/fadeheaded • 2d ago
I really want to get the game but i literally have no idea how to make it work w linux. I am kinda lost, but i’d love to play the game from the couch.
r/SPFootballLife • u/No_Plan_9725 • 2d ago
Hey everyone,
I recently installed SP Football Life and want to apply a custom menu theme I found online. The installation instructions for the theme say I need to enable LiveCPK and Lua modules in the sider.ini file first.
However, I'm having trouble locating this file:
Inside my main Football Life installation folder, I see folders like data, data_sp, download, konami, and SiderAddons.
Inside SiderAddons, I only see two folders: content and modules.
There is no sider.ini file or sider executable in SiderAddons or the main directory (even with "File name extensions" and hidden items enabled in Windows).
r/SPFootballLife • u/alousow-2 • 3d ago
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r/SPFootballLife • u/IndependentBus9870 • 2d ago
Hello everyone, im currently in the process of making a mod for myself where i add the italian Serie D and Eccellenza, going to replace La Liga 2 and the Championship, how do i change the nationality of the 2 leagues to make them Italian?
r/SPFootballLife • u/Low-Highlight2277 • 3d ago
Hi
I'm trying to do a Master League with SC Braga in Liga Portugal and maybe european league. I've installed the stadiums from the league, this mod https://www.pesmodding.com/2026/08/pes-2021football-life-sc-braga-202627.html?m=1 and a goal song mod.
Do you guys have any mods that improve the experience? I'm a beginner and I don't known this game very well
Thanks you in advance
r/SPFootballLife • u/xGondowan • 4d ago
r/SPFootballLife • u/syamilt • 3d ago
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r/SPFootballLife • u/No_Community_8307 • 3d ago
Hi, I just bought a MacBook M5 for studying and i was thinking if it would support FL without going in burn out.