Your complete guide to Gran Turismo 7 online multiplayer. Learn how to unlock online modes, the difference between Sport and Lobbies, and the PlayStation Plus requirements to race against friends and rivals.
Gran Turismo 7 Online: Multiplayer Modes & Unlock Guide
Gran Turismo 7 Online: Multiplayer Modes & Unlock Guide
Gran Turismo 7 Online Guide: Multiplayer Modes, Unlocking, and Requirements
Gran Turismo 7 online play entails racing against real players globally, participating in ranked Sport Mode events, and maintaining a server connection for game progression. Gran Turismo 7 is a primarily online-connected racing simulator that requires internet access for most features, including saving your campaign and buying cars. Although the game launched years ago, the gran turismo 7 online community in 2026 remains highly active with daily races and championships. This guide covers how you can unlock multiplayer, the differences between Sport and Lobby modes, and the specific subscription requirements you need to get started.
Summary
You will find that Gran Turismo 7 is strictly tied to online servers for saving progress, earning credits, and accessing the majority of its content. To race against others, you must first clear specific single-player menus. Once unlocked, you have access to ranked Sport Mode, casual Lobbies, and local split-screen options. While you can play the campaign with just an internet connection, you specifically need a PlayStation Plus subscription to enter multiplayer races.
TLDR
- You must be connected to the internet to save your game and access the campaign.
- Multiplayer is not available immediately; you must complete Menu Book 9 to unlock it.
- Sport Mode is for ranked, competitive matchmaking.
- Lobbies allow you to create custom rooms to play with friends.
- You need an active PlayStation Plus subscription for online multiplayer, but not for saving single-player progress.
- As of 2026, there is no native PC version of the game.
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Is Gran Turismo 7 Online Only?
Gran Turismo 7 is an online-only game regarding save data and progression. Even if you only intend to play the single-player “World Circuits” campaign, buy used cars, or tune your vehicle, your console must be connected to the PlayStation Network servers. If your internet connection drops, the game will restrict you to a very limited “offline mode.”
It is important to understand the difference between the “online connection requirement” and “online multiplayer.” The connection requirement is a form of DRM (Digital Rights Management) to prevent cheating and modifying save files. While you are forced to be online to save your game, you are not forced to race against other people. If the servers undergo maintenance or your internet fails, you can only access “Arcade Mode” for single races on a limited selection of tracks and “Music Rally,” but your credits and garage progress will not save.
How to Unlock Multiplayer in Gran Turismo 7
Requirement: Complete Menu Book 9 (“Championship: Tokyo Highway Parade”).
When you first start Gran Turismo 7, you will notice that the “Sport” and “Multiplayer” pavilions on the world map are locked. You cannot jump straight into online racing. You must progress through the single-player campaign known as the “GT CafĂ©.”
The CafĂ© owner, Luca, gives you “Menu Books” which act as quests to collect cars and win races. You need to clear the first 8 books, which serve as a tutorial for the game’s mechanics. Once you complete **Menu Book 9**, which involves finishing in the top 3 of the Tokyo Highway Parade championship, the map opens up. For a new player, this process typically takes 2 to 3 hours of gameplay. Unlocking this menu grants you access to:
* Sport Mode: Ranked matchmaking.
* Multiplayer: Lobbies and 2-player split-screen.
Gran Turismo 7 Online Multiplayer Modes Explained
Once you have unlocked the online features, you will see three distinct ways to interact with other drivers. Here is a breakdown of the different hubs available on the World Map.
Sport Mode
Sport Mode is the competitive heart of GT7. This mode features “Daily Races” (A, B, and C) which change weekly, as well as official championships like the Nations Cup.
This mode tracks two key metrics:
- Driver Rating (DR): Your speed and skill level.
- Sportsmanship Rating (SR): How safely you drive.
Races happen at scheduled intervals (e.g., every 20 minutes), ensuring you are matched with players of similar skill.
Multiplayer Lobbies
Lobbies are user-hosted rooms that offer total freedom. Unlike Sport Mode, these races are not ranked, and your DR/SR will not be affected.
As a host, you can customize:
- Track and weather conditions.
- Car restrictions (Region, Drivetrain, PP limits).
- Race rules (Penalties, tire wear, fuel consumption).
This is the best place for casual track days, drifting sessions, or drag racing.
Meeting Places
Meeting Places are casual, open lobbies found within specific track menus in World Circuits. Instead of a structured race with a countdown and lap counter, these are “free run” spaces. You can enter the track, park your car to show off your livery, chat with other players via text, and drive at your own pace. It is essentially a digital car meet.
2-Player Split Screen
If you want to play locally with a friend on the same console, you will find this option inside the “Multiplayer” pavilion (the same place as Lobbies). You can race head-to-head on a single screen. Note that Player 1 and Player 2 may need to configure their “Assist Settings” individually before the race starts to ensure a fair match.
How to Play Gran Turismo 7 Online With Friends
Since “Sport Mode” uses random matchmaking based on skill rating, you cannot guarantee that you will end up in the same race as your friend. To play together specifically, you must use the Lobby system.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Navigate to the Multiplayer pavilion on the World Map.
- Select “Lobby”.
- Click “Create New Room” on the left side of the screen.
- In the “Room Settings” menu, go to “Room Privacy” and check “Friends Only”. Alternatively, you can leave it public but set a 4-digit Pin Code.
- Once the room is created, open the member list and select “Invite Friends” to send a PSN notification directly to them.
Note on Cross-Gen: Gran Turismo 7 supports cross-generation play. This means if you are on PlayStation 5, you can seamlessly invite and race against friends who are playing on PlayStation 4 in these lobbies.
Do You Need PlayStation Plus to Play Gran Turismo 7 Online?
- Yes, for Multiplayer:
- You need an active PlayStation Plus subscription (Essential, Extra, or Premium) to access Sport Mode, Lobbies, and Meeting Places. If you try to enter these modes without a subscription, the system will prompt you to subscribe.
- No, for Saves and Updates:
- You do not need PlayStation Plus to save your campaign progress, access the Used Car Dealership, or download game updates. You only need a standard internet connection for these features.
If you are setting up a new subscription, ensure you are secure when linking your credit card to your gaming account to avoid any unauthorized charges or security issues on the PlayStation Store.
Is Gran Turismo 7 Available on PC?
As of 2026, there is **no native PC version** of Gran Turismo 7. The game remains a PlayStation exclusive, available only on PS4 and PS5 consoles.
Unlike other PlayStation exclusives that eventually made their way to computer storefronts, Sony has kept its flagship racing simulator on consoles. The only legitimate way to play GT7 on a PC is via **PlayStation Plus Premium cloud streaming**, provided the game is included in the streaming catalog at the time and you have a controller connected.
If you are looking for high-fidelity racing simulators and decide to build a cheap gaming PC, you will have to look at alternatives like Assetto Corsa or Forza Motorsport, as GT7 cannot be installed locally on Windows.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can you play Gran Turismo 7 online without PS Plus?
You can play the single-player campaign, tune cars, and save your progress while connected to the internet without PS Plus. However, you cannot race against other human players, enter Sport Mode, or join Lobbies without an active subscription.
Is Gran Turismo 7 cross-platform?
GT7 supports cross-generation play, meaning PS4 and PS5 players can race together. However, it is not cross-platform with PC or Xbox, as the game is not available on those hardware platforms.
How much does Gran Turismo 7 cost?
In 2026, the price has likely dropped since launch. You can typically find the Standard Edition on the PlayStation Store for a lower price, often ranging between $30 and $50 depending on sales, with the Digital Deluxe Edition costing slightly more.
How do you fix connection issues in Gran Turismo 7?
If you experience lag or disconnections, check the PlayStation Network status page first. If servers are up, try clearing your console’s cache (temporary data). For competitive racing, using a wired LAN connection is highly recommended over Wi-Fi to ensure a stable connection and prevent ping spikes.
Are all cars available in online multiplayer?
Yes, but it depends on the lobby settings. In “BoP” (Balance of Performance) races, you may be able to “rent” a car for the event even if you don’t own it. In custom lobbies, the host may restrict cars by Performance Points (PP), tire type, or category, meaning you can only use cars from your garage that fit those criteria.
Written by
Conor Byrne
