Sports games get real players and teams through several permissions, not one all-purpose “sports license.” Publishers may arrange collective rights to use player identities, then secure separate rights for team and league names, competition branding, uniforms, crests, venues, and broadcast presentation. The exact package varies by sport, game, and edition.
What makes a real-world roster possible?
A playable roster combines licensed identity with game content. A player’s name or likeness is one layer; a club badge, league name, kit, stadium, and televised-style graphics are other visible elements. A player-association agreement should not be taken to mean that every team mark or venue is included, and a team agreement does not automatically establish rights to every athlete’s likeness.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
MLB® The Show™ 26 – PS5™ | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
PGA TOUR 2K25 - PlayStation 5 | $17.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
EA SPORTS College Football 27 - Standard Edition PS5 |Disc I VideoGame | $49.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
EA Sports Madden NFL 27 - Standard Edition PS5 |Disc I VideoGame | $49.94 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Collective licensing can make it practical to cover many athletes at once. For example, the NFL Players Association describes a Group Licensing Assignment for licensed programs involving six or more players. Under its FAQ, a signing player—or a player assigning group rights through a player contract—grants the association exclusive group-use rights for licensed programs to specified identity elements, which may include the player’s name, number, likeness, voice, facsimile signature, photograph, picture, and biographical information. NFLPA licensing FAQ
That six-player threshold describes the NFLPA arrangement, not a universal rule across sports. In professional football (soccer), FIFPRO Commercial Enterprises says it develops collective agreements to safeguard players and ensure responsible use of their name, image, and likeness. It describes access through partnerships to tens of thousands of professional footballers in men’s and women’s football, and nearly 30 years of work with video-game and digital-entertainment creators. FIFPRO Commercial Enterprises
#1 Best Overall
- MLB The Show 26 Full Game on PlayStation 5
- Includes 5 The Show Packs
- NEW Road to Cooperstown & Expanded Amateur Years Career
- Build your ultimate fantasy team with a new Red Diamond rarity tier and World Baseball Classic player cards featuring elite game-changing players
- NEW Revamped Front Office Experience Play the nail-biting key matches and moments of your Franchise GM career with streamlined seasons and Custom Game Entry
Player rights are only one licensing layer
Authenticity is assembled from distinct pieces. Depending on the title, a publisher may need permissions covering:
- Players: names, likenesses, and other identity elements covered by a player or collective arrangement.
- Teams and leagues: club or franchise names, logos, and league identity.
- Competitions: tournament names and branding.
- Visual presentation: kits, crests, stadiums, and broadcast packages.
A game’s licensing page can show that several of these elements appear together, but it does not by itself prove they all come from one contract. Terms such as exclusivity, territory, duration, and economics should not be inferred unless the parties disclose them.
Rank #2
- REAL FEEL: Swing your swing and play your game with new EvoSwing mechanics—new shot types, ball flights, roll physics, and visual improvements.
- MAJOR TOURNAMENTS HAVE ARRIVED: The U.S. Open Championship, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship make their 2K Franchise debut.
- MyCAREER AND MyPLAYER, YOUR WAY: Step into the most immersive MyCAREER yet. Dynamically simulate rounds, play through training and pre-tournament events. Be your authentic self in MyPLAYER with diverse customizations, a new Attributes Points system, upgraded Skill Trees, and an all-new Equipment Progression system.
- UNLEASH YOUR INNER COURSE ARCHITECT: Design your dream course with Course Designer! New tools, surfaces, objects, and more control with higher-res terrain. Show off your courses in all their natural beauty with an all-new camera system.
What football-game announcements show
EA SPORTS FC 25
Electronic Arts said its 2024/25 EA SPORTS FC 25 product included more than 19,000 players across 700+ teams, 120+ stadiums, and 30+ leagues. EA also identified licensed competitions, clubs, kits, logos, and broadcast packages, and attributed the large player roster to its long-term partnership with FIFPRO. These are EA’s publisher-reported counts for FC 25, not independently audited industry totals. EA SPORTS FC 25 licensing information
EA SPORTS FC 27
In September 2026, EA announced FC 27 scope figures of 21,000+ players across 800+ clubs and national teams, 140 stadiums, and 35+ leagues. Its announcement cited new and renewed league and club partnerships, including Liga MX and the Bundesliga, as well as clubs and stadiums. These are prospective figures announced by EA for FC 27; they describe that game’s announced scope rather than a general count of licensed sports-game content. EA SPORTS FC 27 announcement
Rank #3
- Standard Edition for PlayStation 5 (disc) includes the full EA SPORTS College Football 27 game.
- DYNASTY BLUEPRINT – Control your program’s future with recruiting, NIL, staff, facilities, and Athletic Director Expectations..
- ROAD TO GLORY – Build your player, explore new positions, earn NIL deals, chase the Heisman, and raise your Legacy Score.
- MASCOT MASHUP – Play as your favorite mascot, collect 120+ icons, and compete in wild 11-on-11 matchups full of school spirit.
How the basketball example differs
In June 2025, the NBA, National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), and 2K announced they had agreed in principle to terms for an expanded multiyear global partnership. Their statement also described extending relationships with the NBA G League and USA Basketball. The announcement supports describing NBA 2K as backed by a joint league-and-player-association partnership; it said the agreements remained subject to execution of definitive agreements. It does not disclose the detailed rights package or contract economics. NBA Communications partnership announcement
The same release reported that the NBA 2K series had surpassed 150 million units sold-in worldwide. “Sold-in” is the release’s wording and should not be read as a consumer-sales figure. That franchise-wide number also does not describe the number of licensed players, teams, or other assets in a particular edition.
Rank #4
- Standard Edition for PlayStation 5 (disc) includes the full EA SPORTS Madden NFL 27 game. Experience authentic NFL gameplay with Franchise mode, Superstar Career, and Ultimate Team.
- DYNAMIC FRANCHISE MODE – Persona Engine brings each NFL athlete to life with unique personalities, creating a reactive and evolving league shaped by your decisions.
- AUTHENTIC NFL GAMEPLAY – Realistic WR vs DB battles, improved coverage, and new short-yardage mechanics deliver true on-field physicality and control.
- BUILD YOUR LEGACY – Progress through the Superstar G.O.A.T. Career Journey and customize your roster with Ultimate Team Captains.
How to assess the roster in a specific game
Check the exact title and season rather than treating a franchise’s licensing as permanent. For any game, distinguish what its official materials actually confirm:
- Are player names and likenesses identified, and for which edition?
- Which teams, clubs, leagues, or competitions are named?
- Does the announcement specify kits, crests, stadiums, or broadcast presentation?
- Are the figures current counts, publisher-announced scope, or a partnership description without asset counts?
Rosters and licensing availability can change by edition, season, territory, and update. A real-player roster alone does not establish which league or team branding is licensed.
What public announcements do not explain
The cited licensing and partnership pages do not describe how developers set player ratings, make likeness scans, validate roster data, handle individual exceptions, calculate royalties, or schedule routine roster updates. Those internal processes cannot be reliably inferred from a licensing announcement.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
