This year's sports games at a glance
| Sport | Game | Consoles | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL football | Madden NFL 27 | PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, PC | E |
| College football | EA Sports College Football 27 | PS5, Xbox Series, PC | E |
| Soccer | EA Sports FC 27 | PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, Switch 2, Switch, PC | E |
| Basketball | NBA 2K27 | PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, PC | E |
| Baseball | MLB The Show 26 | PS5, Xbox Series, Switch (runs on Switch 2) | E |
| Hockey | NHL 27 | PS5, Xbox Series | E10+ |
| Wrestling | WWE 2K26 | PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, PC | T |
| Golf | PGA Tour 2K25 | PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, PC | E |
Note the gaps: College Football 27 and NHL 27 aren't on any Nintendo console, and NHL 27 isn't on PC. Always match the game to their console. See how to check.
Picks by sport
Football: Madden NFL 27 or College Football 27
Madden NFL 27 came out in August 2026 and is the one to get for an NFL fan, including on Switch 2. College Football 27 came out in July 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series and PC, its first PC release. Both are rated E and include card-pack purchases with random items.
Check Madden 27 Check College Football 27Soccer: EA Sports FC 27
Released September 2026 and available on almost everything, including older PS4 and Xbox One consoles. The Standard Edition is $69.99 on the PlayStation Store. Rated E, with Users Interact and random-item purchases.
Check priceBasketball: NBA 2K27
Released September 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series, PC and Switch 2. There's no version for PS4, Xbox One or the original Switch this year. Rated E, with random-item purchases.
Check priceBaseball: MLB The Show 26
Released March 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series and Switch. Nintendo lists the Switch version as supported on Switch 2, but it isn't a native Switch 2 version. There's no PC version.
Check priceHockey: NHL 27
Released September 2026, only on PS5 and Xbox Series. Rated E10+ for Mild Violence, according to its Xbox Store listing.
Check priceWrestling: WWE 2K26
Released March 2026. Rated T for Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes and Violence, so check with a parent before buying for a younger fan. The Switch 2 version is a Game-Key Card.
Check priceGolf: PGA Tour 2K25
Still the current golf game, now on Switch 2 as well as PS5, Xbox Series and PC. A relaxed choice for an older golf fan. See gifts for a dad or grandparent for more like it.
Check priceRacing fans: EA isn't releasing an F1 26. Instead, F1 25 received a paid 2026 Season Pack, and the next full F1 game is due in 2027. For arcade racing, Rocket League is free to play.
For casual sports fans and families
If they like sports but don't follow a league closely, a party-style sports game is often more fun than a simulation:
- Nintendo Switch Sports Resort E10+ on Switch 2, released October 22, 2026. Motion-controlled sports the whole family can play.
- Mario Tennis Fever E on Switch 2, released February 2026.
- Mario Kart World E on Switch 2, for anyone who likes racing more than realism.
More family picks are in our family game night guide.
Three things to check
- They don't already have it. Sports fans often buy the new edition at launch, and many of this year's games came out in summer or September. Ask someone close to them.
- It's on their console. Several of this year's games skip Nintendo consoles or older systems. Check the table above.
- They have a membership for online play. Sports games are often played online. If they don't have PlayStation Plus, Game Pass or Switch Online, a membership is a great add-on, or the whole gift.
Sports fans who play card-pack modes like Ultimate Team or MyTeam often spend money in-game. Store credit for their platform lets them do that without you guessing. See gift card vs. physical game.
Back to the main gift guide.
Quick answers
Are sports video games OK for kids?
Most are rated E, including Madden NFL 27, EA Sports FC 27, NBA 2K27 and MLB The Show 26. NHL 27 is E10+ and WWE 2K26 is T. Nearly all carry In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) for their card-pack modes, so set a spending limit.
Do sports games need a subscription to play online?
Usually, yes. Paid games generally need PlayStation Plus, Xbox Game Pass Essential or higher, or Nintendo Switch Online for online play. PlayStation's store listing for EA Sports FC 27, for example, says PS Plus is required for online play.
Is there a new F1 game this year?
No. EA said there would be no F1 26. Instead, F1 25 got a paid 2026 Season Pack on PS5, Xbox Series and PC, with the next full F1 game due in 2027.
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