Top 21 Sports Novels in 2026

2026 Edition

Updated January 27, 2026

By Genre

21 Novels

Sports novels occupy a dedicated niche in web fiction. The genre works well in serial format because athletic competition provides built-in arcs, rivalries, and climactic moments. Japanese sports manga influences light novels here. Chinese and Korean entries often focus on esports, which technically qualifies and has produced genuinely engaging stories.

Good sports fiction combines technical detail with character drama. The best entries teach you something about their sport while making you care about outcomes. The risk is match descriptions that read like play-by-play commentary. Novels ranked here generally avoid that trap, keeping focus on what competition means to characters rather than purely mechanical descriptions.

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1
TOP PICK
I Can Do It
4.7
(1.1K ratings)
Genre: comedy, romance, slice of life
In a certain League of Legends (LOL) match, a streamer well-known for infuriating people, was providing commentary and live streaming. Streamer: This support, so tr*sh.
First Impressions
"I Can Do It" is a delightful dive into the world of e-sports, sprinkled with humor, a dash of romance, and a whole lot of heart. As someone who enjoys a good slice-of-life story, this one definitely hit the spot. Initially, I was drawn in by the premise of a streamer turned pro gamer. The main character, Jian Rong (Soft), is instantly likable – a feisty, trash-talking genius who's secretly a softie, especially around the ML, Lu Boyuan (Road). The slow-burn romance was also a big draw for me, and I was eager to see how it would unfold....
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2
RUNNER UP
The King’s Avatar
4.3
(1.3K ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, comedy
In the online game Glory, Ye Xiu is regarded as a textbook and a top-tier pro-player. However, due to a myriad reasons, he is kicked from the team.
First Impressions
When I first dove into The King's Avatar, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. An esports novel centered around a keyboard and mouse MMO? It sounded a bit…unromantic. But I was quickly drawn in by the story of Ye Xiu, a fallen pro gamer trying to reclaim his former glory. The initial chapters hooked me with their melancholic tone and a glimpse into a world that felt both familiar and uniquely compelling. What immediately stood out to me was the level of detail in the game mechanics and the overall realism of the esports atmosphere. The author clearly knows their stuff, and it shows. Unlike s...
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3
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
PUBG Online Romance of the Century
4.6
(698 ratings)
Genre: comedy, romance, sports
As a new anchor of StarTV, Yu Yan’s ruthless tr*sh-talk, natural rifle-shooting skills, and character of never searching houses earned him a big crowd of fans. He felt like he was a good anchor who treated all fans of his stream equally—you can suck at the game, you can get knocked down, but if ...
First Impressions
I dove into "PUBG Online Romance of the Century" with a bit of trepidation, as e-sports stories aren't usually my thing. However, the high ratings and intriguing summary pulled me in, and I'm glad they did. This novel turned out to be a delightful blend of fluffy romance, gaming excitement, and surprisingly insightful character development. The initial chapters had me hooked. The setup is simple: Yu Yan, a lively and skilled gamer, becomes a streamer and catches the eye of Yi Chen, a seemingly cold CEO. I immediately found Yu Yan to be an engaging protagonist – witty, a bit of a trash-talker, ...
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4
EDITORS CHOICE
FOG
4.5
(540 ratings)
Genre: drama, romance, shounen ai
Yu Sui and Shi Luo met each other when they were much younger. One was a pro-gamer, a widely-renowned, best of the best, in-game medic.
First Impressions
"FOG" has been quite the ride! It's a complete original web novel in the genres of drama, romance, shounen ai, sports, and yaoi. I went in expecting a fluffy e-sports romance, and while it definitely delivers on the romance, it offers a surprisingly emotional and angsty experience, especially in the beginning. Initially, I was a bit thrown by the angst and the initial animosity between the main characters. The story dives right in with a past conflict between the MC, Shi Luo, and the ML, Yu Sui, that isn't immediately clear. This created an intriguing tension, but it also took me a little whil...
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5
EDITORS CHOICE
DASH
4.5
(561 ratings)
Genre: adult, drama, mature
Jeong Jiheon was once a promising swimmer, but retired early due to an injury and is now working diligently at a sports agency. Currently, the greatest interest in the sports market is none other than Kwon Jaekyoung, and numerous agencies are fighting fiercely behind the scenes to scout him.
First Impressions
DASH is a sports romance that dives into the complexities of relationships, self-worth, and personal growth, all set within a unique ABO world. As a reader, I found it to be a compelling and engaging story, even with its occasional slow burn pacing. Initially, I was drawn in by the premise of a story that blends sports and the omegaverse, a combination that felt refreshingly different. The fact that it's been adapted into a drama CD and manhwa also piqued my interest. I quickly found myself invested in the characters and their journeys, eager to see how their relationship would unfold....
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6
#6 PICK
This Omega is Sweet and Wild
4.6
(573 ratings)
Genre: comedy, romance, school life
Li Cheng is an omega, but he is thoroughly like an alpha. He regards teachers like friends, is unrivalled in the swimming pool and also has 80 betas as his lil’ brothers.
First Impressions
This novel was quite a ride! "This Omega is Sweet and Wild" promises a unique take on the ABO genre, and for the most part, it delivers. I went in expecting a fluffy romance, and while there's plenty of sweetness, I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the characters and their individual journeys. The premise immediately grabbed me: a "tyrant" omega meets a cold, aloof alpha. Classic enemies-to-lovers setup, right? What I didn't anticipate was how much I'd enjoy the characters' personalities. I was immediately drawn to the MC, Li Cheng. He's a breath of fresh air, a strong and confident om...
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7
#7 PICK
The E-Sports Circle’s Toxic Assembly Camp
4.6
(570 ratings)
Genre: action, romance, shounen ai
Chief tactician Lin Yan entered an e-sports novel. At this time, there was still a whole year to go before the original plot started.
First Impressions
"The E-Sports Circle’s Toxic Assembly Camp" is a wild ride into the competitive gaming world, and I'm honestly hooked. It's a blend of action, romance, and a touch of the supernatural, all wrapped up in an e-sports setting that feels surprisingly fresh. The novel follows Lin Yan, a cunning strategist who transmigrates into an e-sports novel and decides to shake things up. From the start, I was drawn in by the premise. Instead of the typical hot-blooded young player, we get a sharp, witty manager with a past. The dynamic between Lin Yan and Jing Yuanzhou, the ML, is immediately captivating. It'...
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8
#8 PICK
All-Round Mid Laner
4.6
(531 ratings)
Genre: comedy, romance, shounen ai
After waking from a car accident, professional esports player Ye Shaoyang found himself transmigrated into a mystifying ABO world where he was living as a noobish streamer. In order to support himself in this new life, Ye Shaoyang decided to return to his old job and climb the ranks in the espor...
First Impressions
"All-Round Mid Laner" had been on my radar for a while, and I finally dove in. It's a blend of esports action, ABO dynamics, and slow-burn romance, a combination that either soars or crashes. I found myself largely enjoying the ride, though some aspects held it back from being a perfect game. The premise is simple: a transmigrated esports pro finds himself in a new world, an ABO world at that, and aims for the top. What immediately grabbed me was the focus on the game itself. I'm not a hardcore MOBA player, but the author's descriptions of the matches and strategies made it easy to follow. The...
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9
#9 PICK
God Level Summoner
4.3
(396 ratings)
Genre: action, adventure, sports
This story is about a god level player, Li Cangyu, who returns to the game Miracle after being away for several years. The story explores him playing the game and setting up a team in an attempt to finally win a trophy in the Miracle Professional League.
First Impressions
"God Level Summoner" had been on my radar for a while, and after finally diving in, I can see why it has such a dedicated following. As a fan of gaming novels, especially those with a BL twist, I was eager to see if it lived up to the hype. Overall, I found it to be a charming and enjoyable read, though not without its minor flaws. The initial chapters immediately drew me in with the familiar e-sports setting, reminiscent of "The King's Avatar," but with its own unique flavor. I appreciated the focus on building a new team and the hints of romance sprinkled throughout the beginning. The protag...
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10
#10 PICK
Glory
4.6
(441 ratings)
Genre: action, comedy, romance
This novel is also known as [I was caught and brought back after using and tossing aside the Great Demon King of e-sports…]Wei Xiao––the former rookie king of the league, now an accompanying player and tr*sh talk king, had a stupefied look on his face! Someone bought 10,000 games with him!
First Impressions
"Glory" is an esports BL novel that completely sucked me in. With a solid 4.6/5 rating from readers, I went in with high expectations, and for the most part, it delivered. It's a blend of action, comedy, romance, and sports, and it manages to juggle these elements surprisingly well. From the start, I was struck by the vibrant characters and the energetic pace. The dynamic between the leads, Wei Xiao and Lu Feng, is immediately engaging. Wei Xiao's shamelessness and Lu Feng's cool exterior create a compelling contrast that had me hooked. The esports setting is also well-integrated, making it en...
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Completed
11
#11 PICK
Martial Arts Master
4.1
(425 ratings)
Genre: action, drama, martial arts
Here, martial arts are no longer legends. They have been passed on from generation to generation, from century to century.
First Impressions
After diving into "Martial Arts Master," I can see why it has such a dedicated following, even if the overall rating doesn't quite reflect its strengths. This novel is a unique blend of martial arts, sports, and surprisingly well-developed romance, setting it apart from many of the more generic xianxia stories out there. Initially, I wasn't entirely sold. The early chapters felt a bit slow, focusing heavily on the protagonist Lou Cheng's infatuation with a girl, Yan Zheke, and his motivations for joining the martial arts club. Some might find the MC's initial focus on wooing Yan Zheke off-putt...
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12
#12 PICK
Honey Stewed Squid
4.1
(315 ratings)
Genre: comedy, romance, slice of life
Tong Nian, a cosplay cover singer, falls in love at first sight with a man she spots at a Net cafe. Chasing him, she signs up for the MMO she saw him playing, albeit it’s a super high ranked account a friend acquired for her.
First Impressions
"Honey Stewed Squid" promised a fluffy, lighthearted romance, and while it delivered on some fronts, I found myself with mixed feelings. The story follows Tong Nian, a talented singer and computer whiz, as she falls head-over-heels for the seemingly cold and aloof Han Shang Yan, a legend in the e-sports world. It's a classic case of opposites attract, but the execution left me a little wanting. Initially, I was charmed by the premise. A cute, determined girl chasing after a stoic, older man? It had potential. However, I quickly realized that the beginning can be quite divisive. Tong Nian's inf...
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Conclusion

Sports novels are niche, so this list may be smaller than other genre rankings. If you exhaust options here, esports novels offer a related category with more entries. The emotional beats are similar even when the arena is virtual rather than physical.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our rankings combine reader ratings (40%), popularity metrics (25%), engagement data (20%), and editorial review (15%). We update rankings quarterly to reflect the latest reader sentiments.

The best sports novels excel in their genre-specific elements while delivering compelling characters and plots. Reader satisfaction and re-readability are key factors in our selection.

We update our rankings quarterly throughout 2026 to incorporate new releases, changing reader preferences, and updated rating data.

How We Create Our 2026 Rankings

Our 2026 novel rankings are created through a comprehensive, data-driven process that combines quantitative metrics with qualitative editorial review. Here's how we ensure our rankings reflect the best novels available today.

Data Collection

We aggregate reading data, ratings, and engagement metrics from thousands of readers across multiple platforms, updated regularly throughout 2026.

Community Input

Reader ratings and reviews form the foundation of our rankings. We weight votes based on verified reading history to ensure authenticity.

Quality Scoring

Each novel receives a composite score based on average rating, vote count, reading list additions, and reader retention metrics.

Editorial Review

Our editorial team reviews top candidates for writing quality, translation accuracy, and overall reader experience.

Regular Updates

Rankings are refreshed quarterly to reflect new releases, updated ratings, and shifting reader preferences in 2026.

Transparency

We publish our methodology openly so readers understand exactly how novels earn their positions in our rankings.

Our 2026 Ranking Criteria

40%Reader Rating Score (weighted by vote count and recency)
25%Popularity Metrics (reading list additions, active readers)
20%Engagement Score (comments, reviews, recommendations)
15%Editorial Assessment (writing quality, translation, completeness)

Last updated: January 27, 2026 | Rankings reflect data collected through 2026

Ranked Novels

I Can Do It

First Impressions

The King’s Avatar

First Impressions

PUBG Online Romance of the Century

First Impressions

FOG

First Impressions

DASH

First Impressions

This Omega is Sweet and Wild

First Impressions

The E-Sports Circle’s Toxic Assembly Camp

First Impressions

All-Round Mid Laner

First Impressions

God Level Summoner

First Impressions

Glory

First Impressions