Due to the growth of online multiplayer modes, career modes in sports games tend to go quite under the radar, even though they may be the best part of those titles. There is no greater feeling than taking control of a team or player from the lowest level of a sport and guiding them all the way to the top.
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PostsThese career modes feature emotional storylines, numerous customization options, and take you on a journey that will make you feel like a real-life pro. Here are some of the best career modes that sports games have ever provided.
Updated April 29, 2025 by Ben Jessey: Career modes in sports games haven't always been great in recent years. However, the past is filled with great sports career modes, and we put some of the best on this list. Yet, we missed a few other gems that deserved recognition, so we've returned to the piece to add them.
12 FIFA 17
CloseIn FIFA 17, EA Sports introduced a unique type of career mode for the popular football series, and called it The Journey. It's an apt name, as the mode has you following the journey of talented young footballer Alex Hunter. He is a fictional athlete who was created specifically for the game, but the careers of several other footballers clearly inspire his journey.
This story isn't particularly profound, but it is well-told and features some entertaining cutscenes. The gameplay is standard for the series, but the matches feel like they have extra importance, as you want Hunter to have a successful career.
11 WWE 2K25
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Wrestling Sports Systems 9.0/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 80/100 Critics Rec: 87% Released March 14, 2025 ESRB Teen // Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence Developer(s) Visual Concepts Publisher(s) 2K Sports Multiplayer Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op, Local Multiplayer, Local Co-OpWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALThe career mode known as MyRise in WWE 2k25 is about your created wrestler joining WWE and then immediately getting into trouble with a mysterious group known as Mutiny. Don’t worry, though; you get help from another wrestler you create who has some connection with the protagonist. You control both during the game as you wrestle matches and complete objectives within those matches.
The narrative is solid and engaging. It’s made all the better by the fact that the choices you make play a big part in the whole experience. This begins when you choose the personality types of your created wrestlers, as differing personalities lead to different scenes.
10 EA Sports PGA Tour
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Sports Simulation Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 75/100 Critics Rec: 55% Released April 7, 2023 ESRB E For Everyone Developer(s) EA Tiburon Publisher(s) EA Sports Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Franchise PGA TourWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONNot every golf fan will love the gameplay of EA Sports PGA Tour, but its career mode is undoubtedly one of the best out there. You will start off by customizing your player and equipment, including swing styles, animations, club heads, grips, and everything else a golf pro needs.
The skill progression system of this game is very well-made, and your skill set will improve as you put in more hours. There are alsoseveral iconic competitions you can compete in, from amateur championships to the FedExCup and many others.
9 Skate 3
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Sports Systems Released May 11, 2010 ESRB T For Teen Due To Crude Humor, Drug Reference, Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes Publisher(s) Electronic Arts Engine RenderWare Multiplayer Local Multiplayer, Online MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONSkate 3 is one of the most iconic sports games, and its amazing career mode is a reason for that. You start off as a completely new player and slowly work your way up the ranks to playing against the pros.
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PostsThere are lots of missions that you will have to complete on your path to becoming the best skater, which includecompeting in tournaments, completing challenges, doing photoshoots, and attracting sponsors. All of this makes for a very realistic and fun experience.
8 F1 23
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Racing Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 85/100 Critics Rec: 91% Released June 16, 2023 ESRB E For Everyone Due To Mild Language Developer(s) Codemasters Publisher(s) EA Sports Engine EGO Engine 4.0 Multiplayer Online MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONF1 23's driver career mode and its MyTeam mode are both some of the best racing simulator modes out there. MyTeam lets you take charge as an owner as well as the driver of your own team and includes aspects like signing sponsors, engine deals, hiring other drivers, and everything else you would expect a real F1 team to do.
The driver career mode is probably the most realistic option as it lets you start in F2 and climb your way to the top. Along the way, you have to make it through some of the struggles a real-life driver would, including sticking to the regulations of your team and switching teams to progress your career.
7 SmackDown Vs. Raw 2007
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Sports Systems Released November 14, 2006 ESRB t Developer(s) Yuke's Publisher(s) THQ Engine game engine Multiplayer Local Multiplayer Franchise WWEWHERE TO PLAY
PHYSICALSmackDown vs Raw 2007 is one of the best SVR games ever. Part of the reason for this is its season mode. There's a variety of interesting and funny cutscenes in this mode, and also different storylines based on whether you choose to go with Raw or with SmackDown.
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PostsThere are also some special appearances and unpredictable moments throughout that will make you feel as if you're watching a real WWE event. Some additional features, such as the ability to earn money and customize your locker room, are also small but nice additions.
6 NBA 2K16
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Sports Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 84/100 Critics Rec: 82% Released September 29, 2015 ESRB e Developer(s) Visual Concepts Publisher(s) 2K Engine frostbite Multiplayer Online Multiplayer, Local MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
PHYSICALNBA 2K's MyCareer mode is a perfect example of how any great career mode should work, and 2K16 was arguably the best one as it didn't over-complicate things too much. Its story and cutscenes are also quite interesting, and you can get through the rookie season quite quickly to get to the NBA.
The variety of customization options was also great for its time, and the gameplay was amazing as well.It also doesn't have the needless microtransactions and city-side quests that recent 2K games have, which keeps things simple and fun.
5 FIFA 23
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Sports Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 76/100 Critics Rec: 61% Released September 27, 2022 ESRB e Developer(s) EA Vancouver, EA Romania Publisher(s) EA Sports Engine Frostbite Engine Multiplayer Online MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
PHYSICALIt is tough to decide which FIFA has the best career mode, as some players prefer the older, simpler days when transfers and scouting were easy. Out of the modern FIFA games, though, FIFA 23 is undoubtedly the best and most in-depth football career mode ever.
Whether you choose to take it on as a player or a manager, there is so much to do in this mode. The addition of the licensed UEFA Champions League added a lot of excitement to it, and its other features, such as training and scouting, make it as close as you can get to a real-life football experience.
4 MLB The Show 24
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Sports Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 80/100 Critics Rec: 86% Released March 19, 2024 ESRB E For Everyone Due To In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items), Users Interact Developer(s) San Diego Studio Publisher(s) MLB Advanced Media Multiplayer Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer Cross-Platform Play Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|SWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALMLB The Show 24's Road to the Show is probably the perfect career mode for any gamer, even if you're not too interested in baseball. This mode has an abundance of features that almost make it feel like an RPG at times. The progression system is a great feature that consists of skills and perks that improve your gameplay.
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PostsEven when you're not on the field, there is a lot to do in Road To The Show. From a variety of character customization options to the ability to create social relationships with teammates, this mode always keeps you engaged.
3 Football Manager 2024
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Management Simulation Sports Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 83/100 Critics Rec: 86% Released November 6, 2024 ESRB E For Everyone Developer(s) Sega Publisher(s) Sega Engine Match Engine Franchise Football ManagerWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONFootball Manager is the perfect example of how a career mode works, and its 2024 version does everything well. Although you won't be able to control your characters directly when they are playing, you can pretty much do everything a real football manager does, from setting up custom tactics to making transfers.
The scouting and transfer system in this game is amazing. Plus, taking charge of lower league teams and leading them to glory by grinding through the seasons is one of the most satisfying feelings any sports game is ever going to give you.
