- #1 Maximum Football
97% matchMixed59% of 1,413 reviews2025
Dev: Maximum Entertainment
Windows
Median: 1.0 hrsMean: 6.0 hrs≥1hr: 50%
Forge your legacy in Maximum Football, where you can play both college and pro football in one shared universe. Recruit the next college superstar and take them into the pros to become a future Hall of Famer. Build your team with unparalleled in-game customization that gives you ultimate control.
Why similar: Football (American) 37.6% ★, Sports 33.9%, Simulation 7.2%, Realistic 5.1%, Character Customization 4.3%
Why You'll Like It: This title serves as the primary indie competitor to the Axis series, offering a deep simulation experience with extensive customization options.
- #2 Legend Bowl
96% matchVery Positive87% of 956 reviews2021
Dev: Super Pixel Games
Windows
Median: 2.1 hrsMean: 13.2 hrs≥1hr: 61%
Legend Bowl is a throwback to the classic 8-bit and 16-bit football games of the past. Take to the gridiron and fight your way to becoming a football legend! Enjoy sim-style gameplay, realistic weather, detailed stats, franchise mode, tournament mode, fully customizable rosters, and much much more!
Why similar: Football (American) 43.8% ★, Sports 21.2%, Immersive Sim 10.8%, Character Customization 6.8%, Strategy 5.3%
Why You'll Like It: It captures the spirit of classic football games while providing a surprisingly deep simulation layer and engaging pixel-art gameplay.
- #3 Football Coach: College Dynasty
96% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 1,513 reviews2025
Dev: SidelineSim Studios
Windows · Mac
A true college football management game. Play as a coach or a school, recruit players, develop your team, and compete for national championships. Build a college football dynasty and become a coaching legend!
Why similar: Football (American) 37.6% ★, Sports 31%, Simulation 10.5%, Management 7.7%, Realistic 7.3%
Why You'll Like It: This game focuses heavily on the management and recruitment aspects of college football, perfect for players who enjoy the grand-strategy side of Axis.
- #4 Sunday Rivals
95% matchVery Positive91% of 312 reviews2022
Dev: 26k
Windows
Easy to pickup, hard hitting, fully customizable arcade football is back with Sunday Rivals! Battle high-octane offenses and bone crushing tacklers in the harshest weather conditions to bring home championship glory!
Why similar: Football (American) 52.7% ★, Sports 21.3%, Simulation 8.2%, Character Customization 8%, 3D 3.4%
Why You'll Like It: It offers a unique blend of arcade-style action and simulation-based strategy, featuring a distinct visual style and character customization.
- #5 Pro Strategy Football 2024
94% matchVery Positive80% of 51 reviews2023
Dev: Kerry BattsPub: Pro Strategy Games
Windows · Mac
NOT the latest version, please check out PSF 2026!
Why similar: Football (American) 41.6% ★, Sports 18.1%, Moddable 13.2%, Management 7.6%, Simulation 6.5%
Why You'll Like It: This game excels in tactical depth, allowing players to focus on play-calling and strategic decision-making rather than just twitch-based controls.
- #6 Draft Day Sports: Pro Football 2024
94% matchMixed67% of 15 reviews2023
Dev: Wolverine Studios
Windows
Draft Day Sports: Pro Football 2024 puts you in the role of general manager of your favorite football team. Every decision can be made by you from drafting, trading, signing free agents right down to creating and calling your own plays to lead your team to championship glory and becoming a dynasty.
Why similar: Football (American) 50.9% ★, Sports 29.3%, Simulation 10.4%, Strategy 9.2%, Singleplayer 0.2%
Why You'll Like It: This is a premier management simulation that offers unparalleled depth for those who want to control every front-office decision.
- #7 Front Office Football Nine
92% matchMostly Positive79% of 169 reviews2023
Dev: Solecismic Software
Windows
Put yourself in the Front Office with Front Office Football, the professional football simulation from Solecismic Software. Manage your roster through trading, free agency and the amateur draft. Create game plans, organize depth charts and watch your franchise thrive for decades.
Why similar: Football (American) 47.8% ★, Sports 26.9%, Simulation 8.8%, Immersive Sim 7.4%, Strategy 5.1%
Why You'll Like It: A highly detailed management simulation that emphasizes the administrative and scouting side of professional football.
- #8 Draft Day Sports: College Football 2024
91% matchMixed50% of 10 reviews2023
Dev: Wolverine Studios
Windows
Draft Day Sports: College Football 2023=4 puts you in the role of head coach for your favorite college football team. Recruit, gameplan and make the right calls on the field to lead your team to the top of the ranks and the college football championship.
Why similar: Football (American) 51.6% ★, Sports 29.9%, Strategy 9.4%, Simulation 9%, Singleplayer 0.1%
Why You'll Like It: Similar to its professional counterpart, this title provides a comprehensive college football management experience with realistic simulation mechanics.
- #9 Axis Football 2023
91% matchMostly Positive77% of 270 reviews2022
Dev: Axis Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Axis Football is a simulation-style football game featuring the industry's best franchise mode, massive customization, and realistic gameplay.
Why similar: Football (American) 32.8% ★, Sports 25%, Simulation 7.5%, Strategy 7.2%, Moddable 5.6%
Why You'll Like It: The direct predecessor in the series, maintaining the core mechanics and customization features that define the franchise.
- #10 College Bowl
90% matchVery Positive85% of 273 reviews2024
Dev: Super Pixel Games
Windows
College Bowl is a beautifully pixelated on-field simulation of American Football! Challenge college rivals on your way to winning a National title! Take on various game modes, including a deep Dynasty mode with in-depth recruiting, scouting, stat tracking, ranking, bowl games, yearly goals and more!
Why similar: Football (American) 45.9% ★, Sports 21.4%, Immersive Sim 12.6%, Moddable 7.1%, Character Customization 6.7%
Why You'll Like It: This title provides a realistic simulation of college football with a focus on real-time tactics and immersive team building.
- #11 EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL 25
89% matchMixed56% of 5,132 reviews2024
Dev: TiburonPub: Electronic Arts
Windows
Median: 21.8 hrsMean: 67.8 hrs≥1hr: 88%
Hit like you mean it with FieldSENSE™ powered by BOOM Tech. Experience how the new physics-informed dynamic tackling system unlocks realistic collisions & new gameplay animations on both sides of the ball.
Why similar: Football (American) 55.9% ★, Sports 22.4%, Simulation 11.9%, Strategy 9.7%
Why You'll Like It: The latest iteration in the Madden series offers the most up-to-date rosters and refined gameplay mechanics for those seeking a polished experience.
- #12 Axis Football 2021
89% matchMixed62% of 140 reviews2021
Dev: Axis Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Axis Football is a simulation-style football game featuring the industry's best franchise mode, massive customization, and realistic gameplay.
Why similar: Football (American) 34% ★, Sports 25.8%, Moddable 9%, Simulation 7.8%, Strategy 6.8%
Why You'll Like It: An earlier entry that provides a stable and familiar simulation experience for fans of the series' evolution.
- #13 Axis Football 2020
88% matchMixed67% of 178 reviews2020
Dev: Axis Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Axis Football features football gaming's deepest Franchise Mode and massively improved simulation-style gameplay.
Why similar: Football (American) 36% ★, Sports 25.2%, Simulation 7.4%, Strategy 6.6%, Moddable 6.6%
Why You'll Like It: This version introduced key improvements to the franchise mode that remain relevant for long-time fans of the series.
- #14 Football Simulator
86% matchMostly Positive80% of 934 reviews2022
Dev: Refactor Games
Windows
Step onto the gridiron with Football Simulator and experience the most dynamic and physics-driven football game ever made. Break through tackles, juggle tipped passes, and dive for interceptions to lead your team to victory. Features a fully moddable environment.
Why similar: Football (American) 43.6% ★, Sports 20.5%, Moddable 13.7%, Simulation 6.6%, Physics 4.7%
Why You'll Like It: This title is highly moddable and focuses on providing a sandbox environment for football simulation enthusiasts.
- #15 Axis Football 2019
87% matchMixed69% of 117 reviews2019
Dev: Axis Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Axis Football is an American football simulation featuring immersive gameplay, a deep franchise mode, and extensive customization.
Why similar: Sports 42.8%, Football (American) 26.2% ★, Simulation 14.4%, Strategy 9.6%, Management 4.9%
Why You'll Like It: A solid entry in the series that focuses on the foundational simulation mechanics of the Axis engine.
- #16 FFFL: Brutalball Manager
86% matchVery Positive91% of 86 reviews2023
Dev: Stout Kassel Games
Windows
FFFL: Brutalball Manager is a Franchise Management Simulation game, based mostly on American Football in a Fantasy setting. Take full control of the entire league. Tons of customization, deep stat tracking and unique rules.
Why similar: Football (American) 40.5% ★, Sports 20.3%, Sandbox 9.4%, Moddable 9%, Management 8%
Why You'll Like It: A unique management game that adds a fantasy twist to the traditional football simulation formula.
- #17 Axis Football 2017
85% matchMixed64% of 171 reviews2017
Dev: Axis Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Axis Football is an American football simulation featuring massive customization and a complete franchise mode
Why similar: Football (American) 63.1% ★, Sports 20.4%, Simulation 6.9%, Management 4.2%, Strategy 3.4%
Why You'll Like It: An important historical entry that helped solidify the series' focus on realistic football simulation.
- #18 Axis Football 2018
84% matchMixed65% of 137 reviews2018
Dev: Axis Games
Windows · Linux
Median: 5.2 hrsMean: 6.3 hrs≥1hr: 95%
Axis Football is an American football simulation featuring a deep Franchise Mode and full customization.
Why similar: Sports 55.7%, Simulation 18.7%, Management 11%, Strategy 8.9%, Local Multiplayer 5.4%
Why You'll Like It: This title offers a more tactical, single-player focused experience within the established Axis framework.
- #19 Motorsport Manager
82% matchVery Positive92% of 14,233 reviews2016
Dev: Playsport GamesPub: Miniclip
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 5.8 hrsMean: 41.9 hrs≥1hr: 91%
Have you got what it takes to become the manager of a high-performance motorsport team? Motorsport Manager is a highly detailed, best-in-class management game for fans of motorsport. You’ll hire the drivers, build the cars and embed yourself in the dynamic world of racing.
Why similar: Sports 37.2%, Management 28.8%, Simulation 17.1%, Strategy 14.8%, Economy 1.5%
Why You'll Like It: This game offers a deep, rewarding management experience that appeals to the same strategic mindset required for Axis Football's franchise mode.
- #20 Axis Football 2016
83% matchMostly Positive75% of 125 reviews2016
Dev: Axis Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 4.5 hrs≥1hr: 96%
Axis Football is a an American football simulation featuring innovative aimed passing and massive customization.
Why similar: Sports 41%, Football (American) 34.1% ★, Simulation 11.4%, Management 5.8%, Strategy 4.7%
Why You'll Like It: This early entry showcases the origins of the series' commitment to management and simulation depth.
- #21 Axis Football 2015
82% matchMixed69% of 383 reviews2015
Dev: Axis Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 5.6 hrsMean: 6.1 hrs≥1hr: 98%
Axis Football is a 3D American Football Simulation Game that features a unique aimed passing system. Play in a single match, season mode, or local multiplayer! Offers basic mod support for team rosters.
Why similar: Football (American) 56.5% ★, Sports 33.1%, Management 4.2%, Strategy 3.7%, Local Multiplayer 2.4%
Why You'll Like It: The starting point for the series, offering a glimpse into the initial vision for a customizable football simulation.
- #22 Pro Strategy Football 2023
81% matchVery Positive85% of 74 reviews2022
Dev: Kerry BattsPub: Pro Strategy Games
Windows · Mac
NOT THE LATEST VERSION - Be sure to also look for Pro Strategy Football 2024!
Why similar: Football (American) 43% ★, Sports 17%, Moddable 13.4%, Management 7.7%, Simulation 5.9%
Why You'll Like It: A previous iteration that offers similar tactical depth and modding capabilities as the 2024 version.
- #23 Pro Strategy Football 2021
80% matchVery Positive87% of 111 reviews2020
Dev: Kerry BattsPub: Pro Strategy Games
Windows · Mac
[NOT THE LATEST VERSION!! See Pro Strategy Football 2022]
Why similar: Football (American) 43.4% ★, Sports 20.4%, Moddable 12.1%, Simulation 7%, Management 6.7%
Why You'll Like It: This entry provides a robust simulation experience with a focus on esports-style competitive play.
- #24 Axis Football 2026
78% matchMostly Positive75% of 116 reviews2025
Dev: Axis Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Axis Football 2026 is a complete American Football Simulation featuring fluid gameplay, endless customization, and the industry's best franchise mode.
Why similar: Football (American) 26.8% ★, Sports 12.4%, Grand Strategy 11.5%, Moddable 6.5%, Economy 6.2%
- #25 WE ARE FOOTBALL 2024
77% matchVery Positive81% of 1,060 reviews2024
Dev: Winning Streak Games GmbHPub: THQ Nordic Mobile
Windows
Median: 6.4 hrsMean: 49.4 hrs≥1hr: 74%
Welcome to WE ARE FOOTBALL 2024! Dive into the world of football like never before. Choose an existing club or start your own. Manage either men or women, lead your club to new heights, and become the next manager legend!
Why similar: Sports 23.7%, Moddable 14.6%, Economy 13.8%, Building 10.6%, Management 8.9%
- #26 Doug Flutie's Maximum Football 2020
79% matchMixed52% of 73 reviews2020
Dev: Canuck Play Inc
Windows
Achieve Gridiron Greatness as Doug Flutie and Maximum Football 2020, bring you the ultimate football sandbox.
Why similar: Football (American) 43.6% ★, Sports 32.7%, Sandbox 9.8%, Simulation 5.9%, 3D 3.6%
Why You'll Like It: This title is a notable sandbox football simulation that features extensive customization and a unique college-to-pro career path.
- #27 WE ARE FOOTBALL 2027
75% matchVery Positive82% of 180 reviews2026
Dev: Winning Streak Games GmbH
Windows
WE ARE FOOTBALL 2027 is the ultimate challenge for manager fans and anyone who wants to become one! Accessible, with great depth of play, a focus on tactics and more than 200 simulated countries. Now with a new creative mode that lets you tailor the game perfectly to your preferences!
Why similar: Sports 33.7%, Economy 15.4%, Moddable 13.1%, Simulation 12.5%, Management 11.1%
- #28 War Room Football
74% matchVery Positive95% of 78 reviews2026
Dev: Tanish Jagtap
Windows · Mac
Build a dynasty from the front office. Draft, trade, sign, and develop players across unlimited seasons. Scout prospects, manage the cap, hire coaches, then watch the league evolve around you.
Why similar: Football (American) 41.5% ★, Sports 32.3%, Simulation 9.9%, Management 7.4%, Immersive Sim 3.8%
- #29 EA SPORTS™ College Football 27
74% matchMixed41% of 2,903 reviews2026
Dev: TiburonPub: Electronic Arts
Windows
Median: 32.2 hrsMean: 63.9 hrs≥1hr: 97%
Step into the modern era of college football, where personal ambition meets program pride. Balance expectations, identity, and everything Saturday demands while immersed in traditions and pageantry of game day.
Why similar: Football (American) 39.4% ★, Sports 33.7%, Simulation 12.4%, Strategy 4.3%, Realistic 3.1%
- #30 Football, Tactics & Glory
73% matchVery Positive87% of 4,384 reviews2018
Dev: Creoteam
Windows
Median: 9.9 hrsMean: 45.3 hrs≥1hr: 89%
XCOM meets Football Manager. Develop your club, earn experience in turn-based matches, learn new skills, achieve new classes, upgrade your facilities, buy and sell footballers, grow your youth academy, make difficult choices. It's a deep strategy game that respects your time.
Why similar: Sports 25.9%, Moddable 18.2%, Economy 18%, Management 11.5%, Simulation 9.1%
- #31 EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL 26
72% matchMixed53% of 5,929 reviews2025
Dev: TiburonPub: Electronic Arts
Windows
Median: 14.4 hrsMean: 74.3 hrs≥1hr: 88%
EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL 26 leverages a new AI-powered machine learning system to convert thousands of plays from nearly a decade of real NFL data into more explosive gameplay.
Why similar: Football (American) 52.5% ★, Sports 31.1%, Simulation 10.8%, Strategy 5.6%
- #32 CFS (Chinese Football Simulator)
70% matchMixed68% of 320 reviews2026
Dev: 悟空实验室Pub: Wise Games
Windows
"Chinese Football Simulator" is a management game themed around Chinese football. As both club owner and head coach, you'll develop and manage teams—either existing or custom—immersed in authentic Chinese football culture.
Why similar: Sports 31.8%, Moddable 21.2%, Immersive Sim 18.8%, Management 10.8%, Character Customization 8%
- #33 Pro Strategy Football 2022
72% matchVery Positive87% of 87 reviews2021
Dev: Kerry BattsPub: Pro Strategy Games
Windows · Mac
PSF 2023 IS COMING SOON!! WATCH FOR SEPTEMBER 2022!!
Why similar: Football (American) 42.7% ★, Sports 21%, Moddable 13.5%, Management 8.3%, Simulation 6.4%
- #34 AFL 26
71% matchMixed57% of 203 reviews2025
Dev: Big Ant StudiosPub: Nacon
Windows
Get ready for the future of footy with AFL 26. Feel every hit, hear every roar, and live every moment with unmatched authenticity and intensity.
Why similar: Sports 51.5%, Realistic 13.5%, Simulation 11%, Management 10.6%, 3D 6.4%
- #35 Draft Day Sports: Pro Football 2021
73% matchMixed59% of 54 reviews2020
Dev: Wolverine Studios
Windows
Draft Day Sports: Pro Football 2021 puts you in the role of general manager of your favorite football team. Every decision can be made by you from drafting, trading, signing free agents right down to creating and calling your own plays to lead your team to championship glory and becoming a dynasty.
Why similar: Football (American) 52% ★, Sports 29.9%, Simulation 9.5%, Strategy 8.4%, Singleplayer 0.1%
- #36 NBA 2K25
69% matchMixed59% of 42,947 reviews2024
Dev: Visual ConceptsPub: 2K
Windows
Median: 34.4 hrsMean: 101.6 hrs≥1hr: 95%
Command every court with authenticity and realism Powered by ProPLAY™, giving you ultimate control over how you play in NBA 2K25. Define your legacy in MyCAREER, MyTEAM, MyNBA, and The W.
Why similar: Sports 40.6%, Immersive Sim 12.4%, Simulation 11.9%, Management 10.8%, Character Customization 9.5%
- #37 Football Manager 26
69% matchMostly Negative36% of 36,287 reviews2025
Dev: Sports InteractivePub: SEGA
Windows · Mac
Median: 59.1 hrsMean: 163.0 hrs≥1hr: 96%
Step into the dugout and experience the future of football management.
Why similar: Sports 52.4%, Simulation 17.3%, Strategy 15.7%, Management 12.6%, Multiplayer 1.7%
- #38 Rugby Union Team Manager 4
70% matchMostly Positive70% of 61 reviews2022
Dev: Alternative Software Ltd
Windows · Mac
The fourth instalment of “The Number 1 Rugby Union Management Game”. Rugby Union Team Manager 4 gives you full control of managing your own Rugby Union team. Training schedules, coaches, physios, scouting, finances, sponsors, facilities and more. MUCH MORE!
Why similar: Grand Strategy 21.9%, Football (American) 19.7% ★, Sports 18.7%, Immersive Sim 8.7%, Management 7.4%
- #39 Franchise Hockey Manager 11
68% matchMostly Positive70% of 152 reviews2024
Dev: game54 SoftwarePub: Out of the Park Developments
Windows · Mac
Franchise Hockey Manager returns for the 2024-25 season with plenty of additions to the deepest, most authentic hockey strategy gaming experience you can find. Choose from teams around the globe and select a team to guide to glory, including a chance at the ultimate prize, the Stanley Cup®.
Why similar: Sports 27.7%, Sandbox 13.6%, Immersive Sim 12.2%, Moddable 11.3%, Simulation 9.1%
- #40 Franchise Hockey Manager 12
67% matchMostly Positive78% of 138 reviews2025
Dev: game54 SoftwarePub: Out of the Park Developments
Windows · Mac
Franchise Hockey Manager returns for the 2025-26 season with plenty of additions to the deepest, most authentic hockey strategy gaming experience you can find. Choose from teams around the globe and select a team to guide to glory, including a chance at the ultimate prize, the Stanley Cup®.
Why similar: Sports 28.1%, Sandbox 14.3%, Immersive Sim 13.4%, Simulation 9%, Economy 8.9%
- #41 World of Football
66% matchVery Positive82% of 223 reviews2024
Dev: Vault Game Studio
Windows
A physics-based football game, where matches are won not by randomness or luck, but pure skill! Easy to learn, yet difficult to master, World of Football lets you bring up to ten players together to test your skills on the pitch! Then go pro and fight for the title of GOAT!
Why similar: Sports 46.3%, Simulation 11.9%, Strategy 11.6%, Physics 8.4%, PvP 7.8%
- #42 WE ARE FOOTBALL
67% matchMostly Positive77% of 1,455 reviews2021
Dev: Winning Streak GamesPub: THQ Nordic
Windows
Median: 5.3 hrsMean: 32.5 hrs≥1hr: 91%
Lead your football club through national championships and to international stardom. Take over an established men’s or women’s team of your choice as its manager or bring a small team into the big league.
Why similar: Sports 49.5%, Strategy 11.6%, Management 11.5%, Simulation 11%, PvP 4.7%
- #43 PBA Pro Bowling 2026
64% matchVery Positive92% of 447 reviews2025
Dev: FarSight Studios
Windows
Rise from amateur to PBA legend in the most realistic bowling simulation ever made, featuring advanced physics, realistic oil pattern transition, licensed PBA pros, deep career progression, and multiple competitive game modes.
Why similar: Sports 45.1%, Immersive Sim 13.8%, Realistic 13.3%, Character Customization 7.6%, 3D 5.5%
- #44 Front Office Football Eight
68% matchVery Positive84% of 282 reviews2016
Dev: Solecismic Software
Windows
Put yourself in the Front Office with Front Office Football, the professional football simulation from Solecismic Software. Manage your roster through trading, free agency and the amateur draft. Create game plans, organize depth charts and watch your franchise thrive for decades.
Why similar: Sports 59.7%, Football (American) 34.5% ★, Simulation 5.8%
- #45 EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL 27
67% matchMostly Negative36% of 1,021 reviews2026
Dev: TiburonPub: Electronic Arts
Windows
Run the league one decision at a time. EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL 27, powered by the all-new Persona Engine.
Why similar: Football (American) 53% ★, Sports 24.2%, Simulation 9.3%, Strategy 8.7%, PvP 2.5%