Best Racing and Sports Games Worth Buying in 2026

Racing and sports games live and die by two things: whether the core driving/gameplay feel holds up, and whether the yearly sequel is worth the full price over last year’s edition. This guide covers six current picks across platforms, priced from about $20 to $70, with notes on which ones to buy now versus wait on.

The two genres split into different buying strategies. Racing games tend to be one-time purchases with years of post-launch content added for free or via expansion packs, so an older title that’s had time to mature is often the better buy than a brand-new release with a thinner roster of tracks and cars. Annual sports franchises are the opposite: the on-court or on-field gameplay rarely changes dramatically year to year, so the smart move is almost always to wait for the inevitable price drop rather than pay full price for roster updates.

1. Forza Horizon 5 — best open-world racing, buy now

Still the genre benchmark years after launch, thanks to a massive map, generous post-launch content, and an arcade-meets-simulation handling model that’s approachable for casual players and deep enough for enthusiasts. Street price has settled to $30–$45 for the standard edition.

• Why it’s a good buy: content volume alone justifies the price at this point in its lifecycle
• Where to buy: Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart

2. Gran Turismo 7 — best simulation racing on PS5

For players who want genuine sim-racing depth — car physics, tuning, a real career mode — GT7 remains the PlayStation standard. Street price runs $35–$50, with PSVR2 compatibility adding replay value if you own the headset.

• Why it’s a good buy: the deepest car-tuning and physics model available on console
• Where to buy: Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart

3. EA Sports FC 26 — buy on sale, not at launch

Yearly sports titles rarely justify a $70 launch price when the core gameplay loop changes incrementally. FC 26 is worth owning, just not on day one — wait for it to hit $35–$45, which typically happens within two to three months.

• Why it’s a good buy: still the best soccer sim available, just priced better after the initial window
• Where to buy: Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart

4. NBA 2K26 — best bought used or during a flash sale

Similarly iterative year over year, but the core on-court gameplay is consistently strong. Skip the microtransaction-heavy modes and it’s a solid pickup once it drops to $25–$40, or buy used for $20–$30.

• Why it’s a good buy: strongest on-court simulation in basketball games, minus the predatory card-mode pricing
• Watch for: avoid spending on in-game currency; the base game is the value, not the extras
• Where to buy: Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart

5. WRC Generations — best budget rally sim

A smaller-budget but well-regarded rally title that delivers genuine stage-based rally driving without the premium price of the bigger racing franchises. Street price runs $25–$35, often less during publisher sales.

• Why it’s a good buy: real rally-specific handling that Forza and GT don’t fully replicate
• Where to buy: Amazon, Best Buy

6. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (with Booster Course Pass) — best family/party racing

Still the best-selling and most consistently fun party racer years after release, especially with the full Booster Course Pass DLC bringing the total track count near 100. Base game street price is $50–$60; the DLC pass adds $25.

• Why it’s a good buy: unmatched local multiplayer value for families or game nights
• Where to buy: Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart

How to get the best price

• Never buy annual sports titles at launch. FC, NBA 2K, and Madden all drop 35–50% within the first three months — the roster updates aren’t worth a $70 premium.
• Check PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass catalogs first. Racing and sports titles rotate through subscription catalogs more often than other genres — confirm it’s not already included before buying.
• Buy physical copies used for single-player-focused titles. GameStop, Amazon Warehouse, and Best Buy’s pre-owned sections regularly list racing games 30%+ below new price with no functional downside.
• Watch for bundle pricing on console + game deals. Console manufacturers frequently bundle a racing or sports title free with hardware purchases around holidays — sometimes cheaper than buying the console alone.

The takeaway: Forza Horizon 5 and Gran Turismo 7 are worth buying now at their current settled prices; annual sports franchises like FC 26 and NBA 2K26 are the same game as always and should only be bought once they’ve dropped 30–40% from launch pricing. If you’re unsure which racing style you prefer, start with Forza Horizon’s arcade-friendly handling before investing in Gran Turismo’s steeper, simulation-heavy learning curve — it’s a much easier genre to fall in love with than to backtrack into after starting with the harder title.