September 2025 delivered a strong showing for both sports and horror titles on PlayStation, according to the latest sales figures from Rhys Elliott of Alinea Analytics. EA and 2K once again led the pack with their flagship sports franchises, while a mix of long-standing classics and new entries rounded out the top-selling titles of the month.
EA’s FC 26 Extends Its Lead in the Football Genre
EA’s FC 26 was the best-selling PlayStation game in September, moving more than 5 million copies. Since launch, it has sold over 10 million units across all platforms, with PlayStation representing about 60 percent of that total. The game’s early-access period, Ultimate Team integration, and broad marketing push all contributed to its strong performance.
Three years after parting ways with FIFA, the FC series has firmly established itself as a standalone brand. The transition appears to be complete, as FC 26 continues to dominate sales charts and sustain engagement beyond the core football audience.
Sports and Horror Dominate PlayStation
NBA 2K26 Maintains Strong Momentum
Just behind EA’s football powerhouse, NBA 2K26 continued its annual success story. The game sold nearly 2 million copies on PlayStation in September and has now surpassed 6 million sales worldwide. Its popularity remains strongest in North America and Asia-Pacific regions, where the basketball community continues to show strong support for 2K’s consistent yearly releases.
While FC 26 leads in global numbers, NBA 2K26 remains a key pillar in the PlayStation sports lineup. Its continued success reflects both 2K’s reliable formula and the enduring appeal of simulation-based sports gaming.
Sports and Horror Dominate PlayStation
Returning Franchises See Continued Success
Outside of sports, Borderlands 4 from Gearbox performed well, taking third place with around 800,000 PlayStation copies sold. Data shows that most buyers were returning fans, suggesting strong loyalty to the long-running looter-shooter series.
Meanwhile, Team Cherry’s Silksong finally made its long-awaited debut and delivered an impressive performance. The indie sequel sold more than 600,000 PlayStation copies in its first full month, supported by critical acclaim and word-of-mouth among fans of the original Hollow Knight. Its success highlights continued player appetite for challenging, atmospheric indie games.
Sports and Horror Dominate PlayStation
Legacy Titles Still Going Strong
Even after more than a decade, GTA V remains a top performer. Rockstar’s open-world blockbuster sold another 500,000 PlayStation copies in September, fueled by ongoing GTA Online content updates and anticipation surrounding GTA VI. The title’s staying power is unmatched, continuing to attract both new players and long-time fans.
Minecraft also maintained its place as one of the most consistent sellers on PlayStation, moving just under 500,000 units during the month. The game’s steady performance is supported by its frequent updates, educational use cases, and appeal to younger audiences.
Sports and Horror Dominate PlayStation
Horror Titles See a Seasonal Boost
With the arrival of fall, horror titles gained renewed attention. Techland’s Dying Light: The Beast sold over 400,000 PlayStation copies in September, helped by a recent update that improved performance and added co-op missions. The game’s active player base and strong reviews suggest it could maintain traction through the end of the year.
Konami’s SILENT HILL f also made its debut, selling roughly 300,000 PlayStation copies. Its period setting and focus on Japanese folklore helped it stand out in a crowded horror landscape. While the numbers aren’t blockbuster-level, they signal a promising return for one of gaming’s most iconic psychological horror series.
Sports and Horror Dominate PlayStation
Ongoing Sales and Player Retention
Interestingly, FC 25 (last year’s entry) continued to sell strongly, moving about half a million PlayStation units in September. Price drops and regional promotions helped sustain its momentum even as players migrated to FC 26. This trend demonstrates the depth of EA’s catalogue and the value of maintaining multi-year product cycles.
Madden NFL 26 also remained a steady seller, with just over 400,000 PlayStation copies sold last month. Its audience is still primarily North American, but its Ultimate Team features and consistent updates keep engagement levels stable across regions.
Skate Surpasses 15 Million Players
While not part of the premium chart, EA’s Skate has become one of 2025’s most surprising success stories. The free-to-play title now boasts more than 15 million players. Its accessible gameplay, seasonal content, and social features have allowed it to build a large community without relying on the traditional premium model.
The success of Skate underscores how free-to-play sports titles can coexist alongside full-priced releases. It also highlights shifting player expectations, where engagement and community-driven updates often matter more than upfront sales.
Final Takeaway
September 2025 showed the breadth of PlayStation’s audience - from sports fans to horror enthusiasts and long-time franchise loyalists. EA dominated the month with FC 26, Madden NFL 26, and Skate, while 2K and Konami rounded out a diverse lineup. As the year moves toward the holiday season, all signs point to continued strength for both live-service and premium releases on PlayStation platforms.
Source: Rhys Elliott of Alinea Analytics
Here’s a list of all the games mentioned:
- FC 26
- NBA 2K26
- Borderlands 4
- Silksong
- GTA V
- Minecraft
- FC 25
- Dying Light: The Beast
- Madden NFL 26
- SILENT HILL f
- Skate
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the best-selling PlayStation game in September 2025? EA’s FC 26 was the best-selling PlayStation game in September, moving over 5 million copies during the month.
How did Skate perform compared to other titles? While Skate is a free-to-play title and not part of the premium sales chart, it reached over 15 million players, making it one of EA’s most successful live-service games this year.
Which genres performed best on PlayStation in September 2025? Sports titles led overall sales, while horror games benefited from seasonal demand and franchise revivals such as SILENT HILL f and Dying Light: The Beast.
Did older games like GTA V and Minecraft still sell well? Yes. Both GTA V and Minecraft sold around 500,000 copies each on PlayStation, showing continued relevance years after their original releases.
What does Silksong’s performance say about indie games? Silksong’s strong debut with over 600,000 PlayStation sales reinforces the demand for high-quality indie titles and proves that well-crafted, atmospheric experiences still resonate with a wide audience.
