Free Play Days: Try Borderlands 4, Madden NFL 27, F1 25

If you've been looking for a good moment to jump into some of the newer releases on your Xbox, this weekend's Free Play Days might be the opening you need. From September 10 through September 13, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members can try out a solid rotation of games without spending anything extra.

The headliners this time around include Borderlands 4, which gives you a chance to see what Gearbox has done with the franchise's signature blend of looter-shooter action and irreverent humour. There's also F1 25 2026 Season Edition, if you want to get behind the wheel with the current grid, and Surviving Mars: Relaunched, the city-builder that lets you establish a colony on the red planet.

If you're into racing in a different lane, CarX Drift Racing Online is available too, alongside Dustborn, which offers a two-hour trial specifically. That one also comes with a discount if you decide to buy the full game during the same window.

Here's the thing worth noting: EA Sports Madden NFL 27 is free for all Xbox members during these dates—not just Game Pass subscribers. So if you've been on the fence about the latest football sim, or just want to see how the new season feels, you don't need a subscription to give it a shot.

Free Play Days are one of those quiet, generous features that Xbox does well—it's a low-pressure way to try something that might not have been on your radar, or to finally get around to a release you've been curious about. Whether you're into sports, sci-fi building, or just want to see what's new in the Borderlands universe, there's something here to spend a few hours with. Just remember the window closes on September 13, so if any of these catch your interest, now's the time to download.

Source: Xbox WIRE