If you are a PlayStation player and have an active PlayStation Plus subscription, the beginning of every month brings a new opportunity to add games to your library. Sony regularly updates the PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup, giving subscribers access to a selection of games that they can download and play without purchasing each title separately.
For October 2026, PlayStation has announced three new monthly games: F1 25, Hunt: Showdown 1896, and Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2.
The October lineup will become available on October 6, 2026, and subscribers will have until November 2, 2026 to add the games to their library.
In this article, we will explain the October 2026 PlayStation Plus Monthly Games, what each game offers, how to claim the games, and the difference between Monthly Games and the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog.
What Are PlayStation Plus Monthly Games?
PlayStation Plus Monthly Games are a selection of games that Sony makes available to PlayStation Plus subscribers every month.
The monthly games are included with PlayStation Plus membership, and subscribers can add them to their game library during the availability period. According to PlayStation’s official support information, once a monthly game has been added to your library, you can download and play it while you have an active PlayStation Plus membership.
Monthly Games are available with all three main PlayStation Plus membership tiers:
- PlayStation Plus Essential
- PlayStation Plus Extra
- PlayStation Plus Premium/Deluxe
The main difference between these plans is the additional content and features included with each subscription.
PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for October 2026
Sony has announced three games for October 2026.
1. F1 25
F1 25 is the official Formula 1 racing game based on the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship.
The game is available for PS5 and offers several ways to experience Formula 1, including single-player modes such as Career and My Team 2.0.
My Team 2.0 allows players to create their own Formula 1 team and take on the role of team owner. Players can build their team and create their own stories throughout the racing season.
F1 25 also includes online multiplayer features, allowing players to compete against other racers.
One of the multiplayer features highlighted by PlayStation is F1 World, where players can race together with friends as a team against AI drivers.
For fans of racing games, F1 25 provides a more traditional Formula 1 experience with licensed teams, drivers, circuits and racing mechanics.
Platform: PS5
Available: October 6 – November 2, 2026
2. Hunt: Showdown 1896
The second October 2026 monthly game is Hunt: Showdown 1896, a competitive extraction shooter available on PS5.
The game combines shooting, survival and competitive multiplayer gameplay. Players enter dangerous environments filled with monsters while also competing against other hunters.
The main objective involves tracking down powerful bosses, defeating them and collecting their bounty. However, completing the objective is only part of the challenge because other players can attack you and attempt to take the reward.
Players can choose to play alone or form a team with up to two other players.
According to PlayStation, the game is designed around risk and reward, with players having to decide how aggressively they want to approach each match.
Platform: PS5
Available: October 6 – November 2, 2026
3. Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2
The third game in the October lineup is Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2, which is available for both PS5 and PS4.
The game puts players in a world where Earth is under attack from giant enemies. Players can build their own team by selecting characters and combining different abilities and equipment.
One of the notable features is the ability to select four teammates and create a team based on your preferred playstyle.
The game includes characters and enemies inspired by different games in the Earth Defense Force series, while presenting them in a distinctive voxel-based visual style.
Players can also enjoy four-player online co-op and two-player local split-screen multiplayer on PS5 and PS4.
Platforms: PS5 and PS4
Available: October 6 – November 2, 2026
When Can You Download the October Games?
The October 2026 PlayStation Plus Monthly Games will be available starting:
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
The games will remain available to add to your library until:
Monday, November 2, 2026
Sony also reminds subscribers that the monthly lineup can vary depending on the region. Players should therefore check their local PlayStation Store when the games become available.
How to Claim PlayStation Plus Monthly Games
Claiming the monthly games is relatively simple.
On PS5, go to the Games home screen and select PlayStation Plus. Then open the Benefits tab and choose Monthly Games.
From there, select the game you want and choose Download.
PlayStation also allows users to start downloads remotely through a web browser or the PlayStation App.
For PS4 users, go to the PlayStation Plus section, select Monthly Games, choose the game and select Add to Library or Download.
Adding a game to your library during its availability period is important because it allows you to access it later while your PlayStation Plus membership remains active.
What Happens When the Month Ends?
A common question among PlayStation users is whether they lose access to a monthly game when the month ends.
The important distinction is between adding the game to your library and simply downloading it.
If you add a monthly game to your library while it is available, you can continue to access it as long as you maintain an active PlayStation Plus membership.
If you do not add the game before the monthly promotion ends, you generally cannot claim it later as part of that month’s Monthly Games lineup.
This is why it is useful to check the PlayStation Plus Monthly Games section regularly, even if you are not planning to play a particular game immediately.
PlayStation Plus Monthly Games vs. Game Catalog
It is important not to confuse Monthly Games with the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog.
Monthly Games are included with the Essential plan and are refreshed every month.
The Game Catalog, on the other hand, is available with PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium/Deluxe and contains a larger selection of games.
PlayStation says that Extra members receive access to the Game Catalog in addition to the benefits of Essential, while Premium members receive additional features such as the Classics Catalog, Game Trials and cloud streaming in supported regions.
Another important difference is that Game Catalog games can eventually be removed from the service.
Therefore, users should check the availability period of games they want to play.
September 2026 Games: Last Chance
Before moving to the October lineup, PlayStation Plus members still have an opportunity to claim the September 2026 Monthly Games.
The September lineup included:
- Sniper Elite: Resistance
- MLB The Show 26
- Wobbly Life
- Chained Echoes
These games are available to add to the library until October 5, 2026.
If you are a PlayStation Plus subscriber, checking the September lineup before October 6 can help make sure you do not miss any games before they leave the monthly promotion.
Why You Should Check PlayStation Plus Every Month
The PlayStation Plus Monthly Games system is designed to give subscribers new games regularly without requiring a separate purchase for every title.
The lineup also covers different genres. One month might include a sports game, another month could feature an action title, RPG or multiplayer game.
Recent 2026 lineups demonstrate this variety. For example, July included Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, For the King II and CrossCode, while August included Dying Light 2 Stay Human: Reloaded Edition, Big Walk and Signalis.
This variety gives subscribers the opportunity to discover games they might not otherwise purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are PlayStation Plus Monthly Games free?
The games are included with an active PlayStation Plus membership, so subscribers do not need to purchase each monthly game separately. However, PlayStation Plus itself is a paid subscription service.
Do I need PS Plus Essential to get the monthly games?
Yes. Monthly Games are included with PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra and Premium/Deluxe plans.
Can I keep the monthly games permanently?
You can keep them in your library, but access depends on maintaining an active PlayStation Plus membership.
Can I play the October games on PS4?
F1 25 and Hunt: Showdown 1896 are listed for PS5, while Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 is available for both PS5 and PS4.
When are the October 2026 games available?
The October games become available on October 6, 2026, and remain available until November 2, 2026.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for October 2026 bring three different gaming experiences to subscribers: Formula 1 racing with F1 25, competitive extraction gameplay with Hunt: Showdown 1896, and cooperative action with Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2.
All three games become available on October 6, giving PlayStation Plus members a new selection of titles to add to their libraries.
If you already have a PlayStation Plus subscription, it is worth checking the Monthly Games section at the beginning of each month and adding the available titles to your library before the promotion ends.
For the most accurate and updated information, players should always check the official PlayStation website and PlayStation Blog because game availability can vary by region and may change over time.
Official Sources
- PlayStation Blog – October 2026 PlayStation Plus Monthly Games: PlayStation Blog
- PlayStation Plus Games: Official PlayStation Plus Games Page
- PlayStation Support – How to Access Monthly Games: PlayStation Plus Support
