Best Sports Games for Xbox One 2020

Whether scoring legendary goals or racing to the finish line, the Xbox One packs dozens of gripping sports games. We've wrapped up our unmissable favorites, guaranteed to fulfill that competitive itch.
Big leagues
With over three decades edging closer to reality, American football fans shouldn't look further than Madden NFL 19. This latest revision updates its roster of teams, stadiums, and jerseys for 2019, alongside further depth to player movement.
Sub-zero
NHL 19 is the recent entry in the long-running hockey series, building upon its legacy as the defining title of the genre. While NHL hasn't hugely evolved in past years, it brings the addition of new outdoor rinks, updated rosters, and other various refinements.
Rocket-powered fun
Rocket-powered R.C. cars and football aren't an everyday pairing but establish the genius premise of Rocket League. Drive, boost and bash your way to victory, scoring goals across a diverse lineup of modes.
Shooting hoops
Perfecting basketball mechanics with depth and scale, NBA 2K19 delivers an unbeaten take on the basketball scene. This year focuses on improving systems and fluidity for a richer on-court experience.
Hole-in-one
While golfing games are hard to come by today, The Golf Club 2019 delivers the best digital fairway you'll find on Xbox One. Now backed by PGA Tour licensing and 2K Games, its packs depth and realism over arcade alternatives.
Country roads
Microsoft's latest, Forza Horizon 4, is an accessible arcade racer ideal for any gamer. Staged in the British countryside, it presents leading visuals and a vast open-world filled with activities.
Up close and personal
Jump into the ring in WWE 2K19, capturing the tactics and intensity of wrestling in even fewer limits. Backed by a massive roster of fighters, WWE 2K19 is the fighting champion to beat.
Our Xbox sporting picks
Why you can trust Windows Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
There's a reason Electronic Arts' soccer titan tops the charts all year round, packing the ultimate bundle for sports fans. FIFA 19 further builds on an already rich sandbox with unmatched scale and depth, alongside modes to sink the hours. More immersive than ever, this is the sports game to beat in 2019.
Alternatively, Rocket League isn't your average combo, far distancing itself from the realism grounding many sports rivals. It embraces the same foundations of any competitive title beside an accessible premise. Now exploring cross-platform play with PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC, it's a multiplayer game for all.
Get the Windows Central Newsletter
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.
Matt Brown was formerly a Windows Central's Senior Editor, Xbox & PC, at Future. Following over seven years of professional consumer technology and gaming coverage, he’s focused on the world of Microsoft's gaming efforts. You can follow him on Twitter @mattjbrown.