Top 5 Games Australians Are Playing Right Now (2026)

TL;DR

• 82% of Australians identify as gamers — the average player is 35 years old
• Australian game development generated AU$608.5 million in revenue in FY25
• GTA V, Fortnite, Minecraft, Call of Duty, and EA Sports FC lead the charts in 2026
• Women now make up 51% of Australia’s gaming population — a historic first
• 87% of Aussie players game on consoles; 71% use smartphones
• Open-world freedom, social play, and live-service updates drive what Australians choose

Gaming in Australia is not a niche hobby anymore. It is mainstream culture — arguably the country’s dominant form of entertainment.

The Australia Plays 2025 report from IGEA and Bond University found that 82% of Australians now play video games. The average player is 35 years old and has been gaming for 14 years. In a milestone for the industry, women now make up 51% of the gaming population — the first time female players have edged ahead in the study’s 20-year history.

The local development industry is booming too. IGEA’s March 2026 report confirmed that Australian game studios generated AU$608.5 million in revenue in FY25, with 2,443 full-time employees and 31% of studios currently developing their first game.

So what are Australians actually loading up in 2026? Here are the five games dominating the charts.

What Games Are Most Popular in Australia in 2026?

Australian players consistently gravitate toward open-world games, competitive shooters, and live-service titles with strong social hooks. The five games below have all earned their spot through long-term community engagement, regular updates, and genuine local relevance.

#1: Grand Theft Auto V — Still Australia’s Most Played Game in 2026

It sounds impossible. A 2013 game, topping Australian charts in 2026. But the numbers are clear.

GTA V has sold over 205 million copies worldwide and shows no sign of slowing. In Australia, it consistently leads platform rankings — not because Australians are stuck in the past, but because Rockstar has never stopped building on it. GTA Online keeps evolving. Heists, new businesses, seasonal events, and regular content drops give players a reason to log back in every week.

The world of Los Santos feels genuinely alive. Three distinct protagonists — Michael, Franklin, and Trevor — carry a story that still holds up. And the satire of American consumer culture hits differently on this side of the Pacific, which is perhaps part of its appeal.

For Australian players, GTA V is as much a social experience as a game. Late-night heists with mates, griefing strangers in free roam, running criminal enterprises — it is endlessly flexible. And with GTA VI on the horizon generating enormous anticipation, the entire franchise is at peak cultural visibility.

One thing that kills the GTA Online experience fast: lag. If your connection is inconsistent, missions fall apart. Check out our guide on how to reduce lag in online games — it covers everything from router settings to picking the right server region.

#2: Fortnite — The Game That Reinvents Itself Every Season

Fortnite should not still be this popular. It has been running since 2017. And yet here it is, firmly in the top five across every Australian platform in 2026.

The reason is constant reinvention. Epic Games does not patch Fortnite — it rebuilds it. Each new chapter brings an overhauled map, reworked mechanics, and a fresh story. Collaborations with Marvel, Star Wars, music artists, and global brands keep it feeling relevant. The game returned to iOS in 2024, which significantly expanded the Australian mobile player base.

The core loop is a 100-player battle royale: drop in, gather weapons, build structures, survive. The building mechanic remains unique in the genre and gives the game a skill ceiling that keeps competitive players invested long-term.

Fortnite also functions as a cultural platform. In-game concerts, live events, and seasonal storylines have made it something people talk about beyond gaming circles. Australian esports has a strong Fortnite scene, with local players competing in global tournaments through FNCS (Fortnite Champion Series).

Audio awareness is critical in Fortnite. You hear enemy footsteps, builds going up nearby, and gunfire direction before you see anything. A decent headset is not optional for serious players. Our picks for the best gaming headsets under $50 cover solid options that won’t break the bank.

#3: Minecraft — The Sandpit That Never Gets Old

Minecraft is the best-selling video game of all time. Over 350 million copies sold globally. And in Australia, it still belongs on every top-five list in 2026.

What makes Minecraft different from every other game on this list is its total absence of a forced objective. You mine resources, craft tools, build structures, fight mobs that emerge at night — and everything else is up to you. Some players construct enormous cities block by block. Others engineer redstone computers inside the game world. Others explore the infinite, procedurally generated landscape without building a thing.

The modding community is one of the most active in all of gaming. You can transform Minecraft into a tech-focused engineering sandbox, a fantasy RPG, a survival horror experience, or almost anything else imaginable.

In Australia, Minecraft functions as a family game in a way few others do. Parents game alongside their kids. Schools use it as a teaching tool — around 49% of Australian parents believe games help children develop cognitive skills, and Minecraft is consistently the title they point to. It is also the game that converted an entire generation of non-gamers into regular players, because its learning curve is gentle and its creative payoff is immediate.

Mojang continues to release meaningful updates. The game has never felt abandoned, which is rare for a title this old.

#4: Call of Duty (Black Ops 6 and Black Ops 7) — The Shooter Australians Keep Loading Up

Call of Duty is a permanent fixture in Australian gaming culture. Black Ops 6 launched in late 2024 with Xbox Game Pass integration and immediately expanded its reach. And in 2026, the franchise has maintained that momentum with Black Ops 7 cementing the series’ grip on local charts.

The appeal is the refinement. No other shooter polishes its gunplay the way Call of Duty does. Maps are tight and purposeful. Progression systems reward consistent play. Ranked modes give competitive players a meaningful goal to chase. And the integration with Warzone — the free-to-play battle royale — means new players can enter the ecosystem without spending anything.

The Australian esports scene has a strong Call of Duty presence. Local LAN events and online leagues keep communities active year-round. Content creators and streamers amplify the game’s cultural presence here — CoD is never far from Australian gaming conversation.

Server latency can be a frustration for Australian players. The country’s geographic isolation means cross-region matchmaking sometimes results in higher ping. That said, Australian server infrastructure has improved, and Activision continues to address connectivity issues for Oceanic players.

If lag is costing you games, this guide to reducing lag in online games covers practical fixes — including router optimisation, wired vs. wireless tradeoffs, and server region selection.

#5: EA Sports FC 25 — Football Simulation for a Football-Mad Country

Australia runs on football. The A-League, the Socceroos, the EPL — football culture is deep here, and EA Sports FC taps directly into that passion.

EA Sports FC 25 (the renamed FIFA series) features Australian clubs, Australian commentary, and Australian players. The localization is genuine. This is not just a reskin of the European or North American release — it is a game that acknowledges Australian football culture specifically.

The Ultimate Team mode is the core driver. Players collect cards representing real footballers and build fantasy squads. Live events, weekly objectives, and competitive seasons keep the content rotating throughout the year. There is always something new to grind toward.

Community data tells a clear story: around 77% of Australians play games socially. EA Sports FC is built for that. A split-screen match with a mate or an online game against a friend across the country is a regular part of the Australian gaming week.

Visual quality matters in EA FC. Fast gameplay, tight ball physics, and fluid animations look meaningfully better on a high-refresh monitor. If you are still gaming on an older display, our guide to the best gaming monitor for the money shows what a modern screen actually adds to the experience.

Why Are These 5 Games So Popular in Australia?

The pattern is not random. There are clear reasons Australian players keep returning to these titles:

Open-world freedom. GTA V, Minecraft, and Fortnite all give players enormous agency. Australians are drawn to games where they control the experience.

Social play. 77% of Australians now game socially. Every title on this list has strong multiplayer — either competitive or cooperative. Gaming in Australia is a group activity.

Live-service models. All five games receive regular updates. There is always new content arriving, which removes the natural endpoint that kills most games’ player bases.

Low barriers to entry. Three of the five are free-to-play or available through subscription services. Fortnite and Warzone cost nothing to start. Xbox Game Pass lowers the barrier for Call of Duty. More accessible pricing equals more players.

Local relevance. EA Sports FC includes A-League clubs and Australian broadcasters. Call of Duty has local servers. GTA’s satirical lens on consumer culture resonates broadly. These specific details matter to Australian audiences.

Australian Gamer Demographics at a Glance (2026)

Sources: IGEA Australia Plays 2025 Report; IGEA AGDS FY25 Snapshot (March 2026)

FAQ: Australians Playing Top 5 Games

What is the most popular video game in Australia in 2026?

Grand Theft Auto V holds the top spot. It has dominated Australian gaming charts for over a decade, driven by continuous updates to GTA Online and a massive active player community. Fortnite and Minecraft consistently rank just behind it.

How many Australians play video games in 2026?

According to the Australia Plays 2025 report from IGEA and Bond University, 82% of Australians play video games. The average player is 35 years old, and 81% of the gaming population is made up of adults. Women now make up 51% of players — a first in the study’s history.

What gaming platforms do Australians use most?

Consoles are the dominant platform, used by 87% of Australian players. Smartphones follow at 71%, then PCs at 58%. Most Australian households own two or more gaming-capable devices, and nearly half own three or more.

Is Fortnite still popular in Australia in 2026?

Yes. Fortnite remains one of the most played games in Australia. Its return to iOS, combined with regular chapter updates and high-profile collaborations, has kept the player base large and engaged. The competitive scene through FNCS also sustains interest among serious players.

What game genres are most popular in Australia?

Australian players strongly favour open-world games, first-person shooters, and sports simulations. Battle royale titles like Fortnite and Warzone draw enormous player counts. Puzzle and action-adventure genres also perform well. Live-service games with ongoing content updates consistently outperform one-time releases in long-term popularity.

How much is the Australian gaming industry worth in 2026?

Australian game development studios generated AU$608.5 million in revenue in FY25, according to IGEA’s March 2026 report. Consumer spending on games and hardware reached AUD $3.8 billion in 2024. The broader online gaming market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.84% through 2033.

Final Word

Australian gaming in 2026 is bigger, older, and more diverse than most people expect. Over eight in ten Australians play games. The average player has been gaming for 14 years. And the industry generating those experiences locally is at a record revenue milestone.

The top five — GTA V, Fortnite, Minecraft, Call of Duty, and EA Sports FC — reflect exactly what Aussie players value: freedom, competition, community, and games that keep evolving.

Whether you are a long-time player or just getting started, these are the games your fellow Australians are loading up right now.

External references: IGEA Australia Plays 2025 Report | IGEA AGDS FY25 Snapshot — AU$608.5 Million Revenue