🔥 Trending Playing PES 2021 in 2026: A Look Back at the Classic Football Game

PES 2021, officially known as eFootball PES 2021 Season Update, is a football simulation video game developed by PES Productions and published by Konami ³⁴. It was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Android ³⁴. This installment is significant as it is the 20th and final game in the Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) series to carry the "PES" name, and the 25th and final installment overall before the series transitioned to "eFootball™" ⁴⁷. Konami announced its release on July 15, 2020, as a "Season Update" to celebrate the series' 25th anniversary, while the development team focused their efforts on the next-generation consoles (PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X) and the new eFootball title, which was initially planned as eFootball 2022 ⁵⁶. The successor to the PES series, eFootball, was released in 2021 ¹.

Even in 2026, some players continue to play PES 2021 for several reasons. One primary reason is the robust modding community that keeps the game updated and fresh. Fans create and share patches that include the latest summer transfers, updated national squads, current player ratings, and team kits for the 2026 season ⁹¹⁰. These community-driven updates effectively transform PES 2021 into a game that reflects the current football landscape, offering a customized experience that might appeal to players who prefer the gameplay mechanics or features of PES 2021 over its successor, eFootball. For example, there are graphics menus available that update the look of teams like FC Bayern München for the 2027 season, even within PES 2021 ⁹. This dedication from the modding community extends the game's longevity and relevance well beyond its initial release. As of February 2026, eFootball PES 2021 Season Update was still among the most played games, ranking #555 based on monthly active users ⁸.