10 Best Sports Games on Xbox Series X/S (2025)

The older we grow, the tougher it gets to schedule matches with friends. Whether football, basketball, or golf, it can be hard to sync busy schedules and dip into the nostalgia of playing sports back in the day. That’s why sports games on Xbox Series X/S are so vital right now, where you can hone your skills in your favorite sports, and set up competitive private matches with friends from wherever they may be, or better still, against online players from all around the world. But which are the best sports games on Xbox Series X/S worth checking out this year?

What is a Sports Game?

A sports game simply transforms any sport in real life into a gamified form. National and international sports that lead to championships are often simulated in a realistic form and gameplay. But you can have casual, more arcade versions of sports like bowling and skating, too.

Best Sports Games on Xbox Series X/S

You won’t find better sports gaming experiences than the best sports games on Xbox Series X/S below.

10. PGA Tour 2K25

Not much changes in an annual sports simulation franchise, and the PGA Tour 2K series is no different from most. However, PGA Tour 2k25 does make a point of changing the swing mechanic into a smoother, more strategic version.

Termed the EvoSwing mechanic, it requires that you consider more factors beyond the strength and direction of your swing. Aspects like contract, rhythm, transition, and swing path ensure every swing is thought through and deliberate, thus resulting in a more involved and engaging game.

9. NBA 2K26

Meanwhile, on the NBA 2K front, the latest installment is NBA 2K26, and it comes with its own changes and new features. The most game-changing aspect is its ProPLAY motion engine, but also the new City location, featuring the City Heights park.

While the former ensures that the characters and courts have more realistic and improved animations and visuals, the latter adds a more casual vibe to the usual serious undertone of the franchise, where players can compete and show off slick dunks in a carefree park.

8. Riders Republic

Some games like Riders Republic, though, have mastered the art of sportsmanship, thriving in their chosen niche. This is, by far, the biggest open-world playground you’ll contest with your friends in, where extreme biking sports are chaotic and fun, and your freedom to ride around the terrific trails is championed.

It’s a social space where bike lovers congregate to show off otherwise life-threatening tricks and compete for the ultimate prizes and rewards.

7. Forza Motorsport

Forza Motorsport is also a very worthy sports game on Xbox Series X/S to take on. At least for the gamer wishing for a realistic take on motorsport racing, where the handling feels almost as if driving real-world motorsport fast cars.

The features on here are deeply varied, like any other realistic simulator, including fan-favorite modes like career and online multiplayer, and as many goodies as 500+ cars, 30 real-world and fictional tracks, and dynamic weather.

6. F1 25

F1 fans in the house have F1 25 to awe over, which, as usual, brings about better visuals, thanks to LiDAR technology. As a result, the tracks look more accurate to the real-world ones. But you also enjoy quality of life updates to the core systems. New managerial tasks are added, while the Braking Point story mode adds new chapters, among other welcome changes to the franchise.

5. WWE 2K25

As for WWE 2k25, it is worth taking out for a spin. You can now compete on the Island of Relevancy against other players to enter the Bloodline. Intergender matches are now playable across all game modes. Further, four online players can now compete in MyGM.

4. Tony Hawks’ Pro Skater 1+2

If you were lucky enough to play the classic Tony Hawks’ Pro Skater, then I suspect the remastered version of the first two games will be quite the treat. Largely similar to the original, but of course, way better looking and smoother, the series proves yet again why it’s the master of skateboarding casual and competitive fun, and is deserving of a spot on the best sports games on Xbox Series X/S.

3. MLB: The Show 25

Next up is MLB: The Show 25, whose updates may seem negligible. But in truth, all the tiny changes combined do make for a more strategic, more enjoyable playthrough. You have Ambush Hitting, challenging you to guess where the pitcher might hit the ball.

But the fielding and throwing mechanics are also updated to include more natural variation, ensuring matches are more engaging. And if you truly want to test your skills, you can push it through the new G.O.A.T. difficulty mode.

2. Madden NFL 26

Coach archetypes and abilities are also likely the biggest change you’ll enjoy the most in Madden NFL 26. These provide more choices and a deeper RPG-like system to fiddle with on multiple playthroughs. But there are also more changes to appreciate, like the realism of the fields, mascots, and sounds of matches, all authentic to real-world matches, the Wear & Tear of players that makes you carefully consider team strategies and switching out players at opportune times, and much more.

Some changes, as you’re probably used to in annual franchises, might go by unnoticed, but they sure do amount to better animations, movement, and presentation.

1. EA Sports FC 26

In the sports simulation world on Xbox Series X/S, the FIFA/EA Sports FC series has always held a brighter candle than all. And EA Sports FC 26 ranks right up there with the best sports gaming experiences you could hope for. This time, you have the option to play a more arcade-like match via Authentic mode or a faster, more responsive option via Competitive.

Player roles are also more deeply varied, goalkeepers are more attuned to real-world plays, and the addition of unexpected challenges you might have to deal with as a team manager, from injuries to financial troubles.