Xbox Game Pass Essential has quietly added Rematch to its catalog, marking the tier’s first new arrival since July. The multiplayer soccer game is also the 21st title to join the entry-level Xbox Game Pass library since the start of 2026.
Made by Sifu developer Sloclap and published by Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 publisher collective Kepler Interactive, Rematch originally launched for PC and consoles in June 2025, when it also made its day-one debut as part of the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate library. The multiplayer soccer game puts players in third-person control of individual athletes in fast-paced team matches, with no fouls or offsides to worry about and an emphasis on positioning, passing, tackling, and shooting rather than squad prep and management.
Rematch Now Available on Xbox Game Pass Essential
More than eight months after joining the Premium tier of Xbox Game Pass, Rematch has now made its way to the Essential library as well, debuting there on September 25. As with the higher tiers, the new availability covers both the Xbox Series X/S and PC versions of the 2025 game, which is also labeled as optimized for handheld play on the Xbox Store. Today’s catalog update also includes Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, which is now available on Xbox Game Pass Premium, having originally joined the higher tiers of the service in October 2024.
Rematch Debuts Blue Lock-Themed Update
Arriving Alongside Its Xbox Game Pass Essential Version
Rematch joins Xbox Game Pass Essential alongside a new update centered on a collaboration with soccer-themed manga Blue Lock. Released on September 24 as part of Season 5, the update introduces Aura Striker, a limited-time 3v3 mode where players build an Aura gauge to temporarily boost movement speed, shot power, and stamina. Automated goalkeeping leaves all six players free to attack and defend in this mode. The crossover also adds a free event pass, Blue Lock-themed cosmetics, and premium character bundles inspired by Yoichi Isagi, Rin Itoshi, Meguru Bachira, and Seishiro Nagi. On top of that, the update introduces Sloclap’s rework of several core systems, adding weaker “exhausted” dribbling actions for players without stamina, new long-range goalkeeper dives, revised tackle-contest logic, and clearer feedback for canceled volley attempts.
All New Xbox Game Pass Essential Games in 2026 So Far
|
Date |
Game |
|---|---|
|
Apr 8 |
DayZ |
|
Apr 8 |
Warhammer: Vermintide 2 |
|
May 8 |
Iron Brigade |
|
May 8 |
Perfect Dark Zero |
|
May 8 |
Kameo: Elements of Power |
|
May 8 |
Neon Abyss |
|
May 8 |
Blinx: The Time Sweeper |
|
May 8 |
Max: The Curse of Brotherhood |
|
May 8 |
Massive Chalice |
|
May 8 |
Stacking |
|
May 8 |
Jetpac Refuelled |
|
Jul 1 |
Costume Quest 2 |
|
Jul 1 |
Shadowrun: Returns |
|
Jul 1 |
Shadowrun: Dragonfall |
|
Jul 1 |
Shadowrun: Hong Kong |
|
Jul 16 |
The Bard’s Tale Trilogy |
|
Jul 22 |
Blinx: The Time Sweeper |
|
Jul 22 |
Fuzion Frenzy |
|
Jul 22 |
Conker: Live and Reloaded |
|
Jul 22 |
Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge |
|
Sep 25 |
Rematch |
Rematch is the first new Xbox Game Pass Essential title since July 22, when the budget-friendly tier of Microsoft’s subscription service added four titles, including Fuzion Frenzy and Blinx: The Time Sweeper. Since launching XGP Core (nowadays XGP Essential) in September 2023, Microsoft has consistently expanded it with new titles several times per year, including every December. It therefore stands to reason that Rematch will not be the final game to join the entry-level Xbox Game Pass library in 2026.
Looking at the immediate future, there are still several catalog updates scheduled for September 2026. Minecraft Dungeons 2 is coming to Xbox Game Pass on September 29, while Atomfall, Little Rocket Lab, and six other titles are due to depart from the service a day later.
- Released
-
June 19, 2025
- ESRB
-
Everyone / In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
-
Sloclap
- Publisher(s)
-
Sloclap, Kepler Interactive
