It’s the action on the pitch that draws football fans to the sport, but that’s rarely where the passion ends. In today’s world, there’s a virtually endless array of options for football fans who want to take a deeper dive into the sport they love. From podcasts to fan forums and beyond, there’s always something interesting and engaging available.
And nowhere is that seen more keenly than in the world of football-themed games, which have become integral to the fan experience. Football-themed games have been around for a long time, but they’ve never been as wide-ranging or ubiquitous as they are today.
Fantasy Football: Simulating the Managerial Experience
Most people who think of a ‘football game that isn’t the sport itself’ would turn their minds to digital versions of football. But actually, one of the most popular football-themed games is fantasy football.
A staggering 11.2 million people in the UK play fantasy football, making it one of the country’s most widely played games. And you can see why it’s popular — the game simulates the managerial experience, allowing passionate fans to put their knowledge to the test against their friends.
Wide Range of Football-Themed Games
There are also many football-themed games to choose from, and the number of options is growing all the time. You’ve got console games such as EA Sports FC 25 and Sociable Soccer 25, both of which allow fans to take control of their favourite football teams and attempt to win as many trophies as they can. Football is also a popular theme in the world of online slots, with many slot games using the sport as a basis for the game’s theme. Top Trumps Football Legends, Striker Goes World, Soccer Safari, and Football Champions Cup may not be football games in the traditional sense, but they draw heavily on the sport and have long been popular with football fans. Finally, there’s the Football Manager series, which, like fantasy football, aims to mimic the managerial experience. In fact, the series is so true to the real game that one long-term player, Will Still, even managed to bag himself a manager’s position with a real football club.
On-the-Go Play
Football-themed games have become big business in the world of mobile gaming. In fact, it’s probably the largest market for all football-related games. You’ll find plenty of football games in the app stores, including eFootball, EA Sports FC Mobile, Dream League Soccer, and Football League. These games have become just as popular as their console counterparts and, in some cases, even more so. Mobile gaming has risen in popularity considerably in recent years, and that’s a trend that’s likely to continue in the coming years.
It’s easy to see the appeal of mobile gaming from a football fan’s perspective. You can’t take your PS5 or Xbox with you when you’re on your way to the match, but you’ll always have your smartphone. That means you can play your favourite football-themed game as you’re on your way to and from the game — and especially on the way back following a defeat when the virtual version of the game gives you a chance to get revenge for your team.
The Rise of eSports
Football games don’t just function as a way for fans to get their football fix in between their chosen team’s games. In some cases, the games have taken on a life of their own. Just take a look at the rise of eSports, in which fans watch players compete in tournaments. It’s become so popular that there’s even a FIFAe World Cup, the final of which is shown in more than one hundred countries around the world.
What Next For Football Games?
Football games have become an important part of many football fans’ experience, and that’s unlikely to change any time soon. With technology advancing all the time, it’s unlikely to be too long before football games can simulate the experience of playing in a professional football match — and that’s when things will get really interesting.
