Let’s be candid: waiting for the monthly PlayStation Plus Essential lineup is always a bit of a gamble. Sometimes Sony drops an absolute must-play blockbuster, and other times, the offerings leave the community scratching their heads.
According to a highly credible new leak regarding the upcoming March 2026 lineup, next month’s headliner might fall into the latter category for many PS5 owners.
Here is everything you need to know about the leaked PS Plus Essential game, why fans are frustrated, the reliability of these leaks, and the important dates you need to mark on your calendar.
The Leaked Headliner: PGA Tour 2K25
According to a new report from the notoriously accurate French deal-sharing site Dealabs, one of the core PlayStation 5 games set to be released in the March PS Plus Essential tier is last year’s golf simulator, PGA Tour 2K25.
For context, Dealabs has an almost flawless track record when it comes to leaking the PS Plus lineup a few days before Sony’s official announcement.
Developed by HB Studios and published by 2K, the game was originally released in February 2025. Despite the groans from some fans, it is actually a highly decorated sports title:
- It was nominated for Sports Game of the Year at the 29th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.
- It boasts a solid 81% recommendation rating from critics on OpenCritic.
- It just received a major port to the Nintendo Switch 2 earlier this month.
Why is the Community Disappointed?
If the game is highly rated, why the massive backlash in the forums? The frustration stems from two main factors.
First, sports simulators—especially golf—cater to a very specific, niche audience. For the broader gaming community looking for sprawling RPGs, narrative adventures, or fast-paced action games, a golf simulator feels like a wasted monthly slot.
Second, and far more frustratingly, 2K Games recently ran a massive loyalty discount for the title. Many players who claimed PGA Tour 2K23 when it was previously on PS Plus were offered a heavily discounted upgrade to 2K25 just last month. As one frustrated user noted in the community comments, players bought the game weeks ago, completely unaware it was about to drop for free. It is a classic case of frustrating publisher timing that leaves loyal buyers with serious buyer’s remorse.
Important PS Plus Dates to Remember
While we are still waiting on Sony’s official announcement for the remaining two games in the March lineup, here is the exact timeline you need to know based on the Dealabs report:
| Event | Date | Action Required |
| Official Sony Announcement | Expected Late February | Watch the official PlayStation Blog for the full 3-game reveal. |
| February Games Leave | March 3, 2026 | Last chance to claim the current lineup! |
| March Games Go Live | March 3, 2026 | PGA Tour 2K25 (and others) become available to download. |
| March Games Leave | April 7, 2026 | Make sure to add them to your library before they cycle out. |
Don’t Forget to Claim February’s Lineup!
Because the new games go live on March 3rd, you only have a few days left to add the February 2026 PlayStation Plus Essential games to your digital library. Even if you don’t plan on playing them right now, add them to your account so you own them for as long as you remain subscribed!
The February 2026 Lineup is incredibly strong and includes:
- Undisputed: A highly technical and authentic boxing simulator.
- Subnautica: Below Zero: The terrifying, freezing-cold sequel to the beloved underwater survival game.
- Ultros: A psychedelic, time-looping Metroidvania with gorgeous, hand-drawn art.
- Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown: The gold standard for modern, high-octane aerial dogfighting.
We will keep you updated the exact moment PlayStation officially confirms the rest of the March 2026 roster.
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