Sage CRM 2026 R1 was released on Monday, 30 March 2026. Each Sage operating company will determine when this version becomes available in its region, making this the ideal time to begin planning your upgrade.
Upgrade Eligibility
You can upgrade directly to Sage CRM 2026 R1 from the following versions:
- Sage CRM 2025 R2
- Sage CRM 2025 R1
- Sage CRM 2024 R2
- Sage CRM 2024 R1
- Sage CRM 2023 R2
- Sage CRM 2023 R1
If you are running an earlier version, you must first upgrade to a supported version before moving to 2026 R1. Direct upgrades from unsupported versions are not tested and are not supported.
Support for Sage CRM 2022 R1 and 2022 R2 ended on 30 December 2025. For full details, see the Support Lifecycle:
https://help.sagecrm.com/support/support-lifecycle/
Long Tail Upgrades
If your system is running Sage CRM 2022 or earlier, you will need to upgrade through one or more intermediate versions. This is often referred to as the long tail upgrade path.
System administrators should be aware of potential issues during these upgrades. For example:
“[Fixed] SQLError: Cannot insert the value NULL into column 'Libr_LibraryId'...”
https://communityhub.sage.com/sage-global-solutions/sage-crm/b/sage-crm-hints-tips-and-tricks/posts/fixed-sqlerror-cannot-insert-the-value-null-into-column-libr_5f00_libraryid-table-crm-dbo-library-column-does-not-allow-nulls-insert-fails
Upgrade Planning Guidance
To support partners and ensure consistent, low-risk upgrade approaches, an updated Sage CRM and SQL Server Upgrade Planning Guide is now available on Sage Partner Central:
https://partnercentral.sage.com/prm/English/s/assets?id=906017&renderMode=Collection
This guide provides structured advice for moving customers from older environments to fully supported modern platforms.
Why Upgrade Planning Matters
Sage CRM and Microsoft SQL Server evolve independently. Not every CRM version supports every SQL Server version.
Attempting to shortcut the upgrade process can lead to:
- Unsupported configurations
- Increased risk of failure
- Avoidable downtime
Key principle:
Upgrade Sage CRM and SQL Server in stages, changing one major component at a time.
Example Upgrade Journey
From Sage CRM 2020 R2 (SQL Server 2019) to Sage CRM 2026 R1 (SQL Server 2025)
A direct upgrade is not supported. The process must be sequenced carefully.
Step 1: Prepare Your Existing System
Start with your current environment:
- Ensure Sage CRM 2020 R2 is fully patched
- Review customisations, integrations and third-party components
- Take full SQL Server and Sage CRM backups
- Document IIS, authentication and email configuration
This preparation reduces risk throughout the upgrade process.
Step 2: Upgrade Sage CRM (Remain on SQL Server 2019)
Upgrade the application first:
- Move from Sage CRM 2020 R2 to Sage CRM 2023 R1 (or later 2023/2024 release)
- Keep SQL Server at 2019
This brings the application forward without changing the database platform.
Step 3: Upgrade SQL Server to 2022
Once Sage CRM is on a compatible version:
- Upgrade SQL Server 2019 to SQL Server 2022
- Validate database compatibility and CRM functionality
At this point, your system is already modernised and fully supported.
Step 4: Upgrade Sage CRM to 2025 R1
Next, upgrade the application again:
- Move to Sage CRM 2025 R1
- Remain on SQL Server 2022
Sage CRM 2025 R1 does not support SQL Server 2025, so SQL Server 2022 remains the correct platform at this stage.
Step 5: Final Upgrade to 2026 R1 and SQL Server 2025
Complete the journey:
- Upgrade Sage CRM 2025 R1 to Sage CRM 2026 R1
- Upgrade SQL Server 2022 to SQL Server 2025
You are now on a fully supported, modern platform.
Recommendations for Long-Term Users
If you are running much older versions, such as Sage CRM 7.x, a staged upgrade is essential.
Although this involves multiple steps, the benefits include:
- Improved performance
- Access to modern features and interface updates
- Enhanced security
- Continued access to Sage support
Integration Considerations
When planning your upgrade, review all integration points:
- Follow Sage accounting integration guides for connected products
- Review third-party vendor documentation
- Validate all customisations and APIs
Additional Resources
For further guidance on upgrade paths, see:
Supported upgrade paths article:
https://communityhub.sage.com/sage-global-solutions/sage-crm/b/sage-crm-hints-tips-and-tricks/posts/supported-upgrade-paths
Why Staying Up to Date Matters
Upgrading to a supported version of Sage CRM ensures your system remains:
- Secure
- Compatible with modern technologies and standards
- Performant and reliable
- Ready for future innovation
Summary
Planning your upgrade early reduces risk and ensures a smooth transition to Sage CRM 2026 R1.
By following a staged approach and using the available guidance, you can modernise your environment while maintaining stability and supportability.