More Than Madden: The Best Sports Games We’ve Played for 2026

Editors’ Note, December 9, 2025: With this update, we removed Football Manager 2024. Our remaining picks have been vetted for currency and availability.

Competitive games—the real-world type, not the esports type—have been a part of our collective culture since the dawn of humanity. They’ve served as entertainment, a much-needed distraction from the daily grind, and a spark for social change. As technology advances, sports have expanded from playgrounds and stadiums to…