17 Games Like Catan To Play in 2026
If you are hunting for games like Catan, this is the right place.
If you are hunting for games like Catan, this is the right place. I still remember the first time I traded two sheep for a single brick. It felt like a robbery, but it was the only way to build my settlement.
That specific tension – balancing your own plans with the unpredictable nature of dice and opponents – is what makes Catan a masterpiece.
But after playing it a hundred times, you might start looking for something new.
You want that same thrill of resource management and strategy, but with fresh mechanics.
I have compiled a massive list of titles that capture the spirit of island settlement. Some focus on trading, others on territory control, and some take the concept into outer space or history.
Our Top Picks for Games Like Catan
With so many unique titles on this list, finding the perfect replacement for Catan depends on your specific taste. I have narrowed down the top three choices that consistently deliver the best experience for different types of players.
Ticket to Ride
(2025)
– This is the ultimate family game that keeps the fun of blocking routes while simplifying the rules for beginners.
Carcassonne
(2014)
– If you enjoy watching the board grow, this tile-placement game offers a strategic territory puzzle that eliminates frustration from bad dice rolls.
Wingspan
(2019)
– Strategy lovers will appreciate how this deep engine-builder takes Catan’s concepts and ramps them up for a more complex challenge.
Keep scrolling to see the full breakdown of all 17 games. I promise you will find something that hits the table (or screen) at your next game night.
17 Games Like Catan Every Fan of Board Games Should Play
How many of these have you played? Some are modern classics, while others are hidden gems that digital players love. I have ranked them based on how well they scratch that strategic itch.
If you enjoy trading resources, blocking friends, and building empires, you are going to love these games like Catan.
Ticket to Ride
A Route-Building Game Like Catan for Travel Lovers
Our Score ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ PC, Mobile, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox 360 Format Board Game / Video Game Board Game Year of Release Creator/s Designer: Alan R. Moon; Publisher: Days of Wonder Route blocking, Set collection
Ticket to Ride
is often mentioned in the same breath as Catan for a reason. It is a game about building train routes across a map, connecting iconic cities like New York and Los Angeles. You collect colored train cards, similar to gathering resources, and spend them to claim tracks.
It fits the “like Catan” theme perfectly because of the competition for space on the board. In Catan, you hate it when someone builds a road that cuts you off. In
Ticket to Ride
, that feeling is the core of the game.
You have to watch your opponents’ eyes to see where they are building.
If you wait too long to claim a route, it might be gone forever.
Pro tip
Always keep an eye on the “longest route” bonus. Just like the “Longest Road” card in Catan, those extra points often decide the winner at the very end of the game.
The gameplay loop is fast.
On your turn, you either draw cards, claim a route, or draw new destination tickets.
Easy-to-learn route-building gameplay with strategic blocking makes it accessible.
I have introduced this to people who have never played a board game, and they understood it in five minutes. It supports 2–5 players, and the digital ports are fantastic for quick solo rounds.
My Verdict:
If you love the map control aspect of Catan but hate the dice rolling,
Ticket to Ride
is your game. It is one of the best family board games ever made.
Get the Ticket to Ride Board Game on Amazon and 2.
Carcassonne
A Tile-Placement Game Similar to Catan’s Territorial Play
Our Score ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ PC, Mobile, Switch, Xbox 360 Format Board Game / Video Game Board Game Year of Release Creator/s Designer: Klaus-Jürgen Wrede; Publisher: Hans im Glück Map building, Meeple placement
Carcassonne
allows you to build the board as you play. Instead of a fixed map like Catan, players draw tiles featuring parts of French cities, roads, and fields.
You connect these tiles to create a sprawling landscape, placing your “meeples” (little wooden people) to claim features and score points.
This game shares the territorial spirit of Catan. You are constantly trying to expand your influence while limiting your opponents.
If you place a tile cleverly, you can steal a city someone else has been working on.
That direct, passive-aggressive competition feels very familiar to Catan veterans.
Why we chose it
Carcassonne
because it removes the frustration of bad dice rolls. It offers the same satisfaction of building a map and controlling territory, but your success depends entirely on where you place your tiles.
The main gameplay loop involves drawing a tile, placing it logically, and deciding whether to commit a meeple to it.
Simple tile-placement rules but deep strategic choices ensure it stays fresh.
It is incredibly friendly to mixed-skill groups, meaning you can play with beginners and veterans together. The matches are quick, usually wrapping up in 30 to 45 minutes.
My Verdict:
Carcassonne
is ideal for players who enjoy watching their empire grow visually on the table.
Get the Carcassonne Board Game on Amazon and Get the Carcassonne Video Game via Steam Top-Ups 3.
Wingspan
A Relaxing Engine-Building Game Like Catan for Nature Fans
Our Score ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ PC, Switch, Xbox One, Mobile, PS4, PS5 Format Board Game / Video Game Board Game Year of Release Creator/s Designer: Elizabeth Hargrave; Publisher: Stonemaier Games Engine building, Bird facts
Wingspan
took the world by storm with its gorgeous art and unique theme. You play as a bird enthusiast seeking to attract the best birds to your wildlife preserve. While it sounds peaceful, the engine-building mechanics are sharp and competitive.
It relates to Catan through resource management. Instead of wood and brick, you are managing food tokens and eggs.
You need to gather specific resources to play bird cards, which in turn generate more resources.
It creates a satisfying loop of production, similar to having a city on a high-probability ore hex in Catan.
Pro tip
Don’t ignore the egg-laying strategy in the final round. Just like upgrading to cities in Catan gives a point boost, laying mass eggs in the late game is often the most efficient way to rack up victory points.
The gameplay focuses on three different habitats on your player board.
Engine-building card play with satisfying combo depth allows you to pull off massive turns late in the game.
It is a calm, non-confrontational competition, making it perfect for families who end up arguing too much over Catan trades. The digital version is also stunning, with recorded bird calls for every card.
My Verdict:
If you want the satisfaction of gathering resources without the stress of someone stealing them,
Wingspan
is a masterpiece.
Get the Wingspan Board Game on Amazon and
gamekeys.deals team
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