- GOALS has announced its Open Beta starting March 13 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox.
- The free-to-play football title focuses on skill-based, fast gameplay rather than scripting.
- GOALS features fictional players with arcade-style gameplay, a refreshing feel in comparison.
I came across the announcement for GOALS, which is bringing its open beta this March 13th, 2026, and moved past it because it mentioned Steam, Xbox, and PS5. But this changed when I opened Steam to check whether wishlisting was open, and this has made me curious.
While we have only the PC beta announced, the Steam description confirms a mobile release
Before I jump into sharing my thoughts, here’s a quick overview of what this game’s going to be like. GOALS is being positioned as a free-to-play football experience that emphasizes fast-paced gameplay and player skill rather than heavy scripting or automated outcomes (looking at you, eFootball).
The studio describes the game as a platform designed around competitive play, where mastering mechanics and decision-making on the pitch is the way to play. You will be able to develop your own club, build squads, and progress through competitive ranks.
Each footballer on the roster has unique attributes and visual identities. As matches are played, you earn currency that can be used to generate new players, customize kits, and unlock celebrations. The game also introduces a system that allows squad members to eventually retire and become club legends.
At launch, the focus appears to be on 1v1 online matches, although a 5v5 mode is already planned for the future. The game also aims to support official esports tournaments with prize pools. Interestingly, the broader vision for GOALS mentions true crossplay across PC, console, mobile, and handheld devices.
GOALS is taking a different route from the usual formula, and that’s fantastic
Now, looking at this from a mobile football perspective, the space is already dominated by the big guns like EA SPORTS FC Mobile and eFootball. While the latter probably offers the best pure gameplay experience right now, the overall formula across many new football titles, say even UFL, has started to feel a bit repetitive.
A lot of games are trying the same approach: make the gameplay look attractive, grab the FIFPRO license, add a massive roster of real players, and then build everything around collecting player cards. It works, but it also means many new football games end up feeling very similar.
That’s where GOALS actually feels a bit refreshing. Instead of chasing licenses and real-world squads, GOALS seems to be going with fictional players and its own football universe. Yes, there are still cards involved, but they don’t rely on real-life footballers.
They say “no limits on creativity”, and that is so refreshing to read. That alone already makes it feel different from the usual football game structure we see on mobile. We are our own creators, and this is super fun, just visualising.
Another thing that stood out to me is the presentation and UI. From what’s been shown so far, everything looks incredibly slick and clean. The menus, visuals, and overall style feel modern and polished, something that instantly makes the game stand out.
And then there’s the gameplay itself. It doesn’t look like it’s trying to go full simulation as some football games do. Instead, it has this arcade-style feel, where the focus seems to be on responsiveness and fun rather than strict realism. Honestly, that might actually be the right approach for a different offering.
You ask me why? Not every football game needs to simulate every tiny detail of the sport. We have so many of them already, enough of the shiny Messi and Ronaldo cards. Sometimes what players want is something fast, competitive, and genuinely fun to play.
If GOALS can deliver that experience and eventually bring it to mobile alongside its cross-platform ecosystem, it could easily become one of the most interesting football projects to watch in the coming years. I wish it truly does. All eyes on you, GOALS, please, score.
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