They're the closest thing to being a pro athlete. If your kid lives and breathes soccer, playing as Messi or managing their favorite Premier League team is basically wish fulfillment. These games let them experience the sport they love from their couch, especially during off-seasons or when they can't get outside.

The depth is wild. Modern sports games aren't just "press X to shoot." Kids can dive into franchise management, draft strategies, salary caps, training regimens—it's like a business simulation wrapped in a sports game. Some kids genuinely learn about team building, resource management, and long-term planning.

Online competition is huge. Playing against AI gets old. Playing against real people—whether friends or strangers—keeps things unpredictable and competitive. Many kids treat ranked online matches like their own personal esports league.

Ultimate Team modes are addictive. This is where things get complicated (and expensive). Modes like FIFA Ultimate Team or Madden Ultimate Team let kids build dream teams by collecting player cards. It's part strategy, part gambling mechanics, part Pokémon collecting. More on this in a minute.

Here's the thing: these games release every single year with minimal changes. EA and 2K have been criticized for basically selling roster updates at full price ($60-70). Your kid will absolutely insist they need the new version because "the old one is dead" (translation: their friends moved on, online modes are less populated, and the current rosters aren't updated).

Is it worth buying Madden 25 when they played Madden 24? Probably not from a gameplay perspective. But from a social perspective—if all their friends are playing the new one—it might matter. This is a conversation worth having about marketing, FOMO, and whether they can wait for a sale.

Let's be direct: Ultimate Team modes are designed around the same psychological mechanics as gambling. Kids open packs (purchased with real money or earned through grinding) hoping to get rare, high-rated players. The odds are terrible. The rush when they get someone good is real. The disappointment when they don't is real. The temptation to "just buy one more pack" is very real.

These modes have been investigated by regulators in multiple countries. They're still legal in the U.S., but that doesn't mean they're harmless. If your kid is playing Ultimate Team, you need to understand how microtransactions work and set hard limits on spending.

Many parents don't realize their credit card is saved in the console until they see a $200 charge from "EA" on their statement. Lock down those payment methods.

When your kid plays online, they're interacting with strangers. Voice chat in sports games can get toxic—racist slurs, homophobic language, and general nastiness are unfortunately common, especially in competitive modes.

Most games let you disable voice chat or limit communication to friends only. Do this for younger kids. Even teens should know they can mute toxic players instantly.

Also: online play means your kid's gamer tag, stats, and sometimes even their real name (if they're not careful) are visible to others. Have the privacy conversation early.

Most sports games are rated E for Everyone or E10+. That's accurate for the core gameplay—there's no blood, no violence, just sports. But that rating doesn't account for:

A sports game might be "appropriate" for an 8-year-old in terms of content, but that doesn't mean they should have unrestricted access to online modes or in-game purchases.

Ages 6-9: Stick to offline modes. Games like Mario Kart or Rocket League (soccer with cars) are better entry points than realistic sports sims. If they want FIFA or Madden, keep them in single-player or local multiplayer with friends/siblings.

Ages 10-13: They can handle the games themselves, but online play should be supervised. Disable voice chat with strangers. Set strict rules about microtransactions—consider making Ultimate Team modes off-limits entirely, or requiring permission for every purchase. Learn how to set up parental controls on your specific console.

Ages 14+: They're probably ready for online play, but the spending conversation is critical. Some families give kids a monthly "gaming budget" they can spend however they want. Others ban microtransactions entirely. Either way, be explicit about expectations before problems arise.

Honestly? Sometimes yes. Kids who deep-dive into franchise modes learn about:

But let's not pretend they're playing these games for educational value. They're playing because it's fun and their friends are playing. Any learning is a bonus.

Sports games aren't inherently bad. They're not "brain rot." For kids who love sports, they can be a legitimate way to engage with something they're passionate about.

But: The monetization models are predatory, the annual release cycle is manipulative, and online interactions can be harmful. These games require active parenting—not just handing over a controller and walking away.

If your kid wants to play FIFA or Madden, have these conversations:

And if you're looking for sports games that are less monetization-heavy, check out alternatives to FIFA and Madden or consider indie titles like Golf Story or retro-style games that focus on fun over realism.

Sports games can absolutely have a place in your family's digital life. Just make sure you're going in with your eyes open.