- #1 EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL 26
97% matchMixed52% of 5,008 reviews2025
Dev: TiburonPub: Electronic Arts
Windows
Median: 15.5 hrsMean: 73.0 hrs≥1hr: 92%
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) 58.4% ★, Sports 26.2%, Simulation 10.3%, Strategy 5%
- #2 EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL 25
96% matchMixed56% of 5,089 reviews2024
Dev: TiburonPub: Electronic Arts
Windows
Median: 24.2 hrsMean: 70.4 hrs≥1hr: 90%
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) 60.5% ★, Sports 19.4%, Simulation 11.3%, Strategy 8.7%
- #3 Football Coach: College Dynasty
95% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 1,422 reviews2025
Dev: Coach Apps
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) 51.3% ★, Sports 32.6%, Simulation 12.3%, Strategy 3.4%, Singleplayer 0.4%
- #4 Draft Day Sports: College Football 2020
94% matchMixed59% of 22 reviews2020
Dev: Wolverine Studios
Windows
Draft Day Sports: College Football 2020 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: Sports 36.5%, Football (American) 36.3% ★, Simulation 13.4%, Strategy 11.8%, Indie 2%
- #5 Front Office Football Seven
93% matchVery Positive82% of 143 reviews2015
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) 72.4% ★, Sports 16.1%, Simulation 5.9%, Strategy 4.8%, Indie 0.7%
- #6 Draft Day Sports: College Basketball 2018
92% matchMixed64% of 11 reviews2018
Dev: Wolverine Studios
Windows
Draft Day Sports: College Basketball 2018 puts you in the role of head coach of your favorite college basketball team. Every decision can be made by you from staff hiring, recruiting, scouting and all the way to making each substitution to lead your team to tournament glory and becoming a dynasty.
Why similar: Sports 58.2%, Simulation 20.5%, Strategy 18.2%, Indie 3.1%
- #7 Draft Day Sports: Pro Football 2018
91% matchMixed50% of 14 reviews2018
Dev: Wolverine Studios
Windows
Draft Day Sports: Pro Football 2018 puts you in the role of general manager of your favorite professional football team. Every decision can be made by you from drafting, trading, signing free agents and calling each play to lead your team to championship glory and becoming a dynasty.
Why similar: Football (American) 51.4% ★, Sports 30.3%, Simulation 11.2%, Strategy 5.4%, Indie 1.7%
- #8 Legend Bowl
89% matchVery Positive87% of 945 reviews2021
Dev: Super Pixel Games
Windows
Median: 2.1 hrsMean: 12.8 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) 60.2% ★, Sports 23.4%, Simulation 6.4%, Strategy 6.1%, 2D 2.1%
- #9 Franchise Hockey Manager 4
91% matchMixed65% of 146 reviews2017
Dev: Out of the Park Developments
Windows · Mac
Median: 7.6 hrsMean: 7.8 hrs≥1hr: 97%
The Most Hockey Ever! Franchise Hockey Manager 4 is the deepest, most authentic hockey strategy game available. FHM 4 is officially licensed by the NHL®, includes real 2017-18 rosters, packs even more features than any of its predecessors, and takes the series to a whole new level in terms of realism and gameplay.
Why similar: Sports 60.4%, Strategy 18.6%, Simulation 18.4%, Indie 2.6%
- #10 Draft Day Sports: College Football 2024
89% 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) 55.2% ★, Sports 25.5%, Simulation 8.4%, Strategy 8.3%, 2D 1.5%
- #11 Bowl Bound College Football
90% matchMixed58% of 123 reviews2015
Dev: Grey Dog SoftwarePub: Viva Meda
Windows
One of the best college football simulation engines available, Bowl Bound College Football is the simulation game college football fans have been waiting for!
Why similar: Sports 59.5%, Strategy 20.4%, Simulation 20.1%
- #12 Draft Day Sports: Pro Football 2026
86% match6 user reviews71% of 6 reviews2025
Dev: Wolverine Studios
Windows
Take control of your favorite football franchise in Draft Day Sports: Pro Football 26. Draft stars, manage the cap, build gameplans, and shape your dynasty with deep strategy, smart AI, and endless customization.
Why similar: Football (American) 54.7% ★, Sports 26.6%, Simulation 9.3%, Strategy 8.2%, Singleplayer 0.6%
- #13 Draft Day Sports: Pro Football 2024
87% 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) 55.2% ★, Sports 25.4%, Simulation 9.9%, Strategy 8.2%, Singleplayer 0.6%
- #14 Draft Day Sports: Pro Football 2025
86% matchMixed46% of 13 reviews2024
Dev: Wolverine Studios
Windows
Draft Day Sports: Pro Football 2025 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) 54.7% ★, Sports 26.6%, Simulation 9.3%, Strategy 8.2%, Singleplayer 0.6%
- #15 Draft Day Sports: College Football 2026
85% match8 user reviews88% of 8 reviews2025
Dev: Wolverine Studios
Windows
Start as a coordinator and rise to head coach in Draft Day Sports: College Football 26! Build playbooks, recruit stars, manage team cohesion, and outsmart adaptive AI. Create your dynasty with unmatched depth and strategy.
Why similar: Football (American) 55% ★, Sports 26.8%, Simulation 9.3%, Strategy 7.7%, Singleplayer 0.7%
- #16 Draft Day Sports: College Football 2025
84% matchPositive90% of 10 reviews2024
Dev: Wolverine StudiosPub: Wolverine Studios
Windows
Draft Day Sports: College Football 2025 puts you in the role of head coach for your favorite college football team. Recruit, gameplan, hire a successful staff 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) 54.7% ★, Sports 26.7%, Simulation 8.8%, Strategy 8.7%, Singleplayer 0.6%
- #17 Draft Day Sports: College Football 2021
83% matchMixed62% of 29 reviews2021
Dev: Wolverine Studios
Windows
Draft Day Sports: College Football 2021 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) 56% ★, Sports 26.2%, Simulation 8.8%, Strategy 7.9%, Indie 0.5%
- #18 Draft Day Sports: Pro Football 2021
82% 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) 56.4% ★, Sports 26%, Simulation 9.1%, Strategy 7.5%, Indie 0.5%
- #19 Football Mogul 18
84% matchMostly Negative28% of 18 reviews2017
Dev: Sports Mogul, Inc.
Windows
Football Mogul 18 is the 16th version of the addictive football simulation game from the makers of Baseball Mogul.This version includes rosters and player ratings for opening weekend of the 2017-2018 season.
Why similar: Sports 38%, Football (American) 35.8% ★, Simulation 13.6%, Strategy 12.6%
- #20 Draft Day Sports: College Football 2022
81% matchMixed50% of 18 reviews2022
Dev: Wolverine Studios
Windows
Draft Day Sports: College Football 2022 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) 42.9% ★, Sports 31.3%, Simulation 12.3%, Strategy 10.2%, 2D 2.1%
- #21 Front Office Football Nine
78% matchMostly Positive79% of 165 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) 57.8% ★, Sports 26.1%, Simulation 9.3%, Strategy 5.1%, 2D 0.9%
- #22 Football Legend
78% match8 user reviews63% of 8 reviews2023
Dev: Beefware
Windows
Take over a professional American football team, in this single-player football management simulator. As both general manager and head coach, build a football dynasty that will last for decades to come. Trade, draft, sign free agents, and coach your way into the hall of fame!
Why similar: Football (American) 50.4% ★, Sports 27.3%, Simulation 12.4%, Strategy 8.8%, Indie 0.6%
- #23 Draft Day Sports: College Football 2023
79% matchMixed59% of 17 reviews2022
Dev: Wolverine Studios
Windows
Draft Day Sports: College Football 2023 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) 55.1% ★, Sports 26.9%, Simulation 8.6%, Strategy 8.4%, Indie 0.5%
- #24 Pure Football 2018
80% matchMixed61% of 18 reviews2018
Dev: PureFootball
Windows
Pure Football 2018 is an American Football Simulator where you play GM, Coach, and Player. Play through endless seasons as you master player contracts, assembling your coaching staff, free agency, and the draft. Lead your players come game time or use the advanced game simulation system.
Why similar: Football (American) 54.2% ★, Sports 33.5%, Simulation 12.3%
- #25 Draft Day Sports: College Football 2018
79% match9 user reviews44% of 9 reviews2018
Dev: Wolverine Studios
Windows
Draft Day Sports: College Football 2018 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) 68.9% ★, Sports 22.1%, Simulation 7.8%, Indie 1.2%
- #26 Football Legacy Manager 26
74% match1 user reviews0% of 1 reviews2025
Dev: Football Legacy Manager
Windows
Build the ultimate legacy as the general manager of a professional American football team!
Why similar: Football (American) 48.7% ★, Sports 34.4%, Simulation 14%, 2D 2.3%, Singleplayer 0.6%
- #27 Draft Day Sports: Pro Football 2022
77% matchMixed57% of 28 reviews2021
Dev: Wolverine Studios
Windows
Draft Day Sports: Pro Football 2022 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) 40.5% ★, Sports 32.2%, Simulation 12.8%, Strategy 10.5%, 2D 2.2%
- #28 Backyard Football '99
70% matchVery Positive95% of 155 reviews2025
Dev: Mega Cat StudiosPub: Playground Productions
Windows
Backyard Football 1999 is back and now enhanced to run on modern systems. Whether you're picking Jerry Rice or Barry Sanders for your dream team, scoring TDs with Pablo Sanchez, or enjoying the witty banter between Sunny Day and Chuck Downfield, simple controls let anyone pick up and play football!
Why similar: Football (American) 59% ★, Sports 33.7%, Simulation 4.8%, 2D 2.1%, Singleplayer 0.4%
- #29 Franchise Hockey Manager 6
76% matchMostly Positive78% of 333 reviews2019
Dev: Out of the Park Developments
Windows · Mac
Median: 8.0 hrsMean: 75.9 hrs≥1hr: 91%
Franchise Hockey Manager returns for the 2019-20 season with plenty of additions to the deepest, most authentic hockey strategy gaming experience you can find. Choose one of 32 leagues around the globe and select a team to guide to glory, including a chance at the ultimate prize, the Stanley Cup®.
Why similar: Sports 58.9%, Simulation 19.5%, Strategy 18.5%, Indie 3.1%
- #30 Ultimate Pro Football Coach
71% matchMostly Positive70% of 30 reviews2025
Dev: Games2rk
Windows · Mac
A strategic franchise mode football sim where you run the front office and call all the shots —build your roster, manage the franchise and handle the play calling to guide your team to glory across seasons of immersive franchise-building.
Why similar: Football (American) 57.6% ★, Sports 34.9%, Simulation 6.9%, Singleplayer 0.6%
- #31 Axis Football 2017
77% 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) 71.2% ★, Sports 18.5%, Simulation 6.8%, Strategy 3.2%, Singleplayer 0.4%
- #32 Football Legacy Manager 25
72% match4 user reviews50% of 4 reviews2024
Dev: Football Legacy Manager
Windows
Build the ultimate legacy as the general manager of a professional American football team!
Why similar: Football (American) 47.9% ★, Sports 35%, Simulation 14.2%, 2D 2.3%, Singleplayer 0.6%
- #33 Axis Football 2020
74% 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) 52.2% ★, Sports 29.2%, Simulation 9.4%, Strategy 7.9%, Indie 0.8%
- #34 Australian Football Coach
76% match9 user reviews33% of 9 reviews2017
Dev: Statto Software
Windows
Coach your team to the premiership flag! Australian Football Coach is the premier Aussie Rules Football management game. Coach in one of eight different leagues, create your own footy world or even pit the different states against each other in State of Origin mode.
Why similar: Sports 36.5%, Football (American) 35.5% ★, Simulation 13.4%, Strategy 12.5%, Indie 2.1%
- #35 Fantasy Franchise
69% match3 user reviews100% of 3 reviews2025
Dev: Xavier Begerow
Windows
Own and manage your own football team! Set your lineup, train your players, hire coaches, and improve your stadium to create a franchise that can go all the way!
Why similar: Football (American) 55.3% ★, Sports 32.7%, Simulation 9.9%, 2D 1.1%, Indie 0.6%
- #36 Axis Football 2021
73% matchMixed63% of 139 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) 50.1% ★, Sports 30.3%, Simulation 10.1%, Strategy 8.3%, Indie 0.8%
- #37 Draft Day Sports: Pro Basketball 2018
75% matchMixed50% of 16 reviews2017
Dev: Wolverine Studios
Windows
Draft Day Sports: Pro Basketball 2018 puts you in the role of general manager of your favorite professional basketball team. Every decision can be made by you from drafting, trading, signing free agents all the way to making each substitution to lead your team to championship glory and becoming a dynasty.
Why similar: Sports 56.6%, Simulation 20.8%, Strategy 19.4%, Indie 3.1%
- #38 Pure College Football
71% matchNo user reviews2026
Dev: Reck-it Warehouse
Windows
Build your college football dynasty and compete for control. Master NIL recruiting, develop your coaching staff, and manage demanding boosters. Play solo or battle in online dynasties with up to 32 real players.
Why similar: Football (American) 44.2% ★, Sports 33.3%, Simulation 10.6%, Strategy 9.4%, 2D 1.6%
- #39 Axis Football 2023
70% matchMostly Positive78% of 269 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) 49.7% ★, Sports 30.3%, Simulation 9.9%, Strategy 9%, Indie 0.8%
- #40 Doug Flutie's Maximum Football 2020
73% 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) 57.5% ★, Sports 34.5%, Simulation 6.8%, Indie 0.6%, Singleplayer 0.6%
- #41 Draft Day Sports: College Basketball 2021
71% matchPositive80% of 46 reviews2021
Dev: Wolverine Studios
Windows
Draft Day Sports: College Basketball 2021 puts you in the role of head coach of your favorite college basketball team. Every decision can be made by you from staff hiring, recruiting, scouting and all the way to making each substitution to lead your team to tournament glory and becoming a dynasty.
Why similar: Sports 56.3%, Simulation 22.5%, Strategy 16.1%, 2D 2.6%, Singleplayer 1.4%
- #42 Maximum Football
66% matchMixed63% of 1,302 reviews2025
Dev: Maximum Entertainment
Windows
Median: 54 minMean: 6.2 hrs≥1hr: 49%
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) 52.1% ★, Sports 38%, Simulation 9%, Singleplayer 0.9%
- #43 Speed NFL
68% match2 user reviews50% of 2 reviews2024
Dev: Chris Prince
Windows
Guide your team through the 17 week regular season and potentially the Play-offs. Select your team before using the NFL rankings to decide on your offensive tactics.
Why similar: Football (American) 58.5% ★, Sports 27.1%, Simulation 9.5%, Strategy 3%, 2D 1.4%
- #44 Axis Football 2015
72% matchMixed69% of 381 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) 65.3% ★, Sports 30.7%, Strategy 3.5%, Singleplayer 0.6%
- #45 Desktop Dynasties 3
66% matchNo user reviews
Dev: Head Coach Games
Windows
Football coaching and GM simulation game.
Why similar: Football (American) 64.7% ★, Sports 28.7%, Strategy 6.2%, Singleplayer 0.4%
- #46 4th & Goal
66% matchNo user reviews
Dev: JustinSane Games
Windows
4th & Goal combines roguelite deckbuilding with American football. Make cuts, additions, and upgrades to your team through the Gauntlet Challenge!
Why similar: Football (American) 53.6% ★, Sports 31.4%, Strategy 7.6%, Simulation 7%, Singleplayer 0.3%
- #47 Axis Football 2026
62% matchMostly Positive75% of 96 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) 61% ★, Sports 22.6%, Simulation 8.7%, Strategy 7.6%, Singleplayer 0.1%
- #48 Franchise Hockey Manager 5
70% matchMixed60% of 154 reviews2018
Dev: Out of the Park Developments
Windows · Mac
Franchise Hockey Manager 5 is the only sports strategy game licensed by the NHL ® , including the real clubs, awards, and trophies associated with the greatest hockey league in the world. FHM 5 allows you to build your hockey franchise into a perennial Stanley Cup winner YOUR way, in the current 2018-19 season or back through the entire...
Why similar: Sports 59.2%, Simulation 20%, Strategy 17.8%, Indie 3.1%
- #49 Front Office Football Eight
69% 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 54.7%, Football (American) 39.4% ★, Simulation 5.8%
- #50 Axis Football 2019
68% 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 41.2%, Football (American) 31.4% ★, Simulation 15.1%, Strategy 9.5%, Indie 2.3%
- #51 Retro Rugby
63% match5 user reviews80% of 5 reviews2025
Dev: Lombard Games
Windows
Step onto the pixelated pitch in Retro Rugby—a fast-paced 2D rugby game with smart AI, physics-based collisions, and smooth controls. Build your dream team in Career Mode, compete in global tournaments, and experience dynamic, strategic gameplay. Relive rugby’s golden era—game on!
Why similar: Football (American) 57.4% ★, Sports 38.7%, 2D 2.8%, Indie 0.7%, Singleplayer 0.4%
- #52 Australian Football Coach 2023-24
65% matchPositive87% of 38 reviews2023
Dev: Statto Software
Windows · Linux
Coach your way to the premiership flag! Australian Football Coach 2023 comes packed with new features including local multiplayer and a database update.
Why similar: Football (American) 45.3% ★, Sports 37.9%, Simulation 9.2%, Strategy 4%, 2D 2.3%