7 Best Free Sports Games for iPhone and iPad

The best sports games on iPhone and iPad are free, and they cover almost every sport you can name: basketball, football, American football, golf, pool and tennis. Every game below was checked on its official App Store listing, so the names, developers, ratings and prices are the real ones. One honest note before you start: these are online-first sports games. Matches, seasons and events all need a connection, and none of the listings promises offline play, so download them for a good Wi-Fi session rather than a flight. All seven are free to download with optional in-app purchases.

An empty tennis court on a sunny day

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels. This is a stock illustration and does not show any of the games in this article.

1. NBA 2K Mobile Basketball Game

The official NBA game for mobile, and the deepest basketball experience on this list. You build a team from real NBA players, compete in 5-on-5 matches, and take on live events tied to the real NBA calendar. Season 9 brings new courts, new cards and fresh challenges, and the game runs in real time against other players. The presentation is slick, the player likenesses are strong, and the collect-and-upgrade loop gives you a reason to return every day.

Developer: 2K · Free, with in-app purchases · 4.8 stars from 1.7 million ratings · No. 15 in the Sports chart. Download NBA 2K Mobile on the App Store

2. EA SPORTS FC Soccer Mobile 27

The biggest football game on mobile, and the one most players start with. EA SPORTS FC Mobile lets you build a team from licensed players and clubs, play fast 11v11 matches, and compete in live events and seasons. This is version 27 of the series, refreshed for the 2026-27 season, and the touch controls work well for both passing and shooting. If you want a serious football game with real teams and a huge player base, this is the pick.

Developer: Electronic Arts · Free, with in-app purchases · 4.7 stars from 2.7 million ratings · No. 4 in the Sports chart. Download EA SPORTS FC Soccer Mobile 27 on the App Store

3. 8 Ball Pool

The classic pool hall, in your pocket. 8 Ball Pool is a straight, polished game of 8-ball against real opponents: aim, adjust your spin, and pot your balls before your rival pots theirs. There are 1-on-1 matches, 8-player tournaments, and a long ladder of cues and tables to unlock. The physics are forgiving enough for a casual game and precise enough for a serious one, and with 4.8 million ratings it is the most-reviewed game on this list. Online matches are the whole game here, so keep a connection handy.

Developer: Miniclip.com · Free, with in-app purchases · 4.8 stars from 4.8 million ratings · No. 3 in the Sports chart. Download 8 Ball Pool on the App Store

4. Madden NFL 27 Mobile Football

American football, done properly on mobile. Madden NFL Mobile gives you a team built from real NFL players, a full season to play through, and live events tied to the real league. The controls are designed for a touchscreen: swipe to pass, tap to tackle, and call plays from a playbook that grows as your team improves. It is one of the biggest American football games on the store, and it works on both iPhone and iPad.

Developer: Electronic Arts · Free, with in-app purchases · 4.7 stars from 1.4 million ratings · No. 9 in the Sports chart. Download Madden NFL 27 Mobile on the App Store

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5. Golf Clash

Golf Clash is the thinking player's sports game on this list. You play quick 1-on-1 golf matches against real opponents, and every shot is a small puzzle of wind, lie and club choice. There are hundreds of courses, a club system to upgrade, and weekly tournaments for players who want a longer challenge. Matches are short — usually a hole or two — which makes it perfect for a break. Like the other games here, it is an online game at heart, so play it while you are connected.

Developer: Electronic Arts · Free, with in-app purchases · 4.5 stars from 2.1 million ratings · No. 56 in the Sports chart. Download Golf Clash on the App Store

6. Golf Battle

The lighter, sillier golf game. Golf Battle is a multiplayer mini-golf racer: you and five other players race to sink the ball across six holes, bouncing over hills, through tunnels and past obstacles. Rounds last a couple of minutes, and the course is deliberately chaotic — a lucky bounce can win you a round you were losing. It is the most casual game on this list and the best one for playing with friends or family, because nobody needs to know the rules of golf to enjoy it.

Developer: Miniclip.com · Free, with in-app purchases · 4.7 stars from 402,000 ratings · No. 60 in the Sports chart. Download Golf Battle on the App Store

7. Tennis Clash

Tennis Clash is a fast, live multiplayer tennis game with simple controls and a surprising amount of depth. You swipe to hit, position yourself for the next shot, and try to outwit a real opponent in quick matches. There are tournaments, leagues and seasons, and a collection of players and rackets to build. The matches are short and the controls are easy to learn, which makes it a good last game of the list: a tense three-set feel in only a few minutes.

Developer: Wildlife Studios · Free, with in-app purchases · 4.6 stars from 478,000 ratings · No. 79 in the Sports chart. Download Tennis Clash on the App Store

Which one should you download first?

Start with EA SPORTS FC Mobile 27 if you love football, and with 8 Ball Pool if you want the most popular game on the list. NBA 2K Mobile is the pick for basketball fans, Madden for American football, and Golf Battle is the best choice for a family game night. Two practical notes: these games are all online, so they are at their best on Wi-Fi rather than a shaky mobile signal; and all seven sell coins, cards or passes inside the game, so if a child is playing, check the purchase settings on the device first. Download one, learn it properly, and then come back for the next — each of these is easy to start and takes a while to master.

Source: Apple App Store — listings for NBA 2K Mobile (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nba-2k-mobile-basketball-game/id1252850847), EA SPORTS FC Soccer Mobile 27 (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ea-sports-fc-soccer-mobile-27/id1094930513), 8 Ball Pool (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/8-ball-pool/id543186831), Madden NFL 27 Mobile (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/madden-nfl-27-mobile-football/id1512265589), Golf Clash (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/golf-clash-golfing-simulator/id1089225191), Golf Battle (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/golf-battle/id1422866002) and Tennis Clash (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tennis-clash-sports-stars-game/id1346179411), accessed 9 November 2026.