Sony has released the PlayStation Store download chart for December 2025, offering a clear snapshot of what PS5 players were downloading the most during the final month of the year. PS Store December 2025 Download Chart Reveals Arc Raiders and EA Sports FC 26 Leading PS5 Downloads. Topping the list are Arc Raiders and EA Sports FC 26, two titles that couldn’t be more different in genre, yet equally dominant in popularity.
The results highlight a familiar trend in modern console gaming: competitive shooters and sports franchises continue to draw massive audiences, especially during the holiday season when new hardware, gift cards, and discounts drive download activity.
Arc Raiders Claims the Top Spot
Arc Raiders securing the number one position is a major statement. As a free-to-play extraction shooter, the game benefited from both accessibility and strong word-of-mouth momentum. December proved to be the perfect window for its surge, as players jumped in during holiday downtime and explored its intense cooperative and PvPvE-focused gameplay.
Several factors contributed to Arc Raiders’ dominance:
- Free-to-play entry point lowering the barrier to entry
- Ongoing seasonal updates keeping content fresh
- Strong appeal to players looking for squad-based action
- High visibility across the PlayStation Store and social media
Its top placement suggests that live-service shooters remain one of the most powerful forces on PS5, especially when paired with consistent updates and community engagement.
EA Sports FC 26 Continues Its Annual Reign
Close behind, EA Sports FC 26 once again proved the enduring strength of football games on PlayStation platforms. Despite being well into its release cycle by December, the game maintained enormous download numbers thanks to holiday sales, Ultimate Team activity, and its evergreen appeal among sports fans.
EA Sports FC titles traditionally dominate charts during the final months of the year, and 2025 was no exception. The game’s continued success reflects:
- A massive global football fanbase
- Strong online modes that drive repeat engagement
- Seasonal events and live content updates
- Holiday discounts encouraging late adopters
For many PS5 owners, EA Sports FC 26 remains a staple download — whether as a primary competitive game or a social experience with friends and family.
A Competitive December for PS5
Beyond the top two, December’s PS Store chart paints a broader picture of PS5 player interests. The rankings show a healthy mix of:
- Live-service multiplayer games
- Long-running franchise entries
- Newer releases boosted by seasonal promotions
Holiday periods often create spikes in download activity, as new console owners build their libraries and returning players take advantage of discounts. December 2025 followed this pattern, with established hits performing alongside newer experiences.
Shooters and Sports Still Dominate
The chart reinforces a long-standing trend on PlayStation platforms: shooters and sports games consistently drive the highest engagement. While single-player and narrative-driven titles remain important, it’s competitive, replayable games that tend to dominate monthly download rankings.
Arc Raiders represents the growing appetite for:
- Cooperative online experiences
- High-risk, high-reward gameplay loops
- Games designed for long-term engagement
Meanwhile, EA Sports FC 26 exemplifies how annual sports franchises maintain relevance through updates, live services, and deep-rooted fan loyalty.
The Role of the Holiday Season
December is always a unique month for download charts. Gift cards, digital sales, and newly unboxed consoles all contribute to a surge in activity. Many players download games they’ve been waiting to try, while others gravitate toward familiar titles they know they’ll enjoy immediately.
In this context, the success of Arc Raiders and EA Sports FC 26 makes sense:
- Arc Raiders appeals to players seeking something new and social
- EA Sports FC 26 offers instant familiarity and accessibility
Together, they cover two of the biggest motivations for holiday gaming: discovery and comfort.
What This Means for Developers and Publishers
For developers, December’s chart offers valuable insight into player behavior. Free-to-play games that launch or peak during the holiday window can gain massive traction, especially if they’re easy to jump into and supported by active communities.
For publishers of premium franchises, the results reaffirm that strong branding and consistent live content can keep a game relevant months after launch.
Both Arc Raiders and EA Sports FC 26 demonstrate different paths to success — one through accessibility and novelty, the other through tradition and scale.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As 2026 begins, it will be interesting to see how these trends evolve. Arc Raiders will need to maintain momentum through updates and seasonal content, while EA Sports FC 26 will continue competing with new releases and the inevitable anticipation of the next annual entry.
If December 2025 is any indication, PS5 players will continue to favor games that offer:
- Long-term replayability
- Strong online ecosystems
- Regular content updates
These factors increasingly determine which titles dominate digital storefronts.
Final Thoughts
The PS Store December 2025 download chart confirms what many already suspected: Arc Raiders and EA Sports FC 26 were the games PS5 players wanted most to close out the year. One represents the future of live-service shooters, while the other reinforces the enduring power of sports franchises.
Together, they highlight the diversity of PlayStation’s audience — and the types of games that continue to thrive in a competitive, content-driven market. As PlayStation moves deeper into 2026, these rankings offer a clear benchmark for what success looks like on PS5.