Top 9 Sports Novels in 2026

2026 Edition

Updated January 27, 2026

By Genre

9 Novels

Sports novels focus on athletic competition, training, and team dynamics. This shorter list covers the more accessible entries in the genre. Sports covered range from traditional athletics to esports and martial arts tournaments.

Quality varies in technical accuracy and how well the competitive tension translates to prose. Some authors clearly understand their sports while others keep things surface-level. I've tried to prioritize entries that handle competition engagingly.

Completed
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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Completed
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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Completed
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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Completed
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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Completed
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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Completed
6
#6 PICK
When an Alpha is Marked by One of His Own Kind
4.3
(343 ratings)
Genre: comedy, drama, mature
Within the industry, everyone knew Team DG’s captain Lu Zhe and Team BLX’s top laner Shen Qiao didn’t get along. They said it was due to hormones.
First Impressions
This novel was quite a ride! "When an Alpha is Marked by One of His Own Kind" offers a unique blend of e-sports drama, ABO dynamics, and a second-chance romance, creating an engaging experience. I went in expecting a strong, competitive dynamic, and while it delivered in some aspects, it also had a few shortcomings. Initially, I was hooked by the premise of an Alpha/Alpha pairing in the competitive world of e-sports, specifically League of Legends. The concept of two dominant personalities clashing, both in and out of the game, was incredibly appealing. The early chapters drew me in with the p...
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Conclusion

These 9 sports novels offer starting points for the genre. If you want specific sports coverage or more options, longer lists exist. The ratings reflect overall story quality, though individual preferences for realism versus drama will affect which entries work best for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our rankings consider multiple factors: reader ratings (40%), popularity and reading lists (25%), review quality (20%), and editorial assessment (15%). We update regularly to reflect new releases and changing reader preferences.

We update our rankings monthly to ensure they reflect the latest reader ratings and new novel releases.

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