What Are The Best Side Activities To Play In GTA Online 2025?

If you're tired of grinding the same missions over and over in GTA Online, it's time to dive into the diverse side activities the game offers. With updates through 2025, including the Money Fronts DLC from June and the Halloween Haunts event in October that brings back Survivals like Cayo Perico and Ludendorff Cemetery for double and triple rewards, GTA Online has expanded with new modes, community-driven content, and bonuses on races and exports. The game remains massive, with plenty of ways to earn RP, money, and boost stats. In this updated article for 2025, we've overhauled the list with fresh info and added more activities to keep things exciting.

1. Sports Minigames

Sports remain a staple of multiplayer fun in GTA Online. Compete in athletic events and skill contests with friends or random players. These instanced activities prevent griefing and offer a break from chaos. With 2025 updates, some sports now tie into weekly events for bonus RP and GTA$, such as double payouts on Darts or Tennis during themed weeks. They are easy to access from the Pause Menu under "Online" > "Jobs" > "Play Job" > "Rockstar Created" > "Sports".

There are still 7 core types: Golf at the Los Santos Golf Club for precision putting, Tennis for intense rallies, Base Jumping for thrilling dives from high points, Arm Wrestling to build strength stats, Darts for accuracy challenges, Shooting Range to hone your aim with various firearms, and Hunting Pack missions for tracking wildlife. Earn RP, money, and stat boosts like strength or shooting accuracy, making them ideal for casual sessions.

2. Custom Races

Custom Races have evolved with the Stunt Race Creator, now enhanced in 2025 with new props from the Money Fronts DLC like money laundering-themed obstacles. Create or download community maps via the Rockstar Social Club, where thousands of user-generated tracks await. Options include Standard, GTA, Rally, and Non-Contact Stunt Races, with added power-ups and weapons for GTA variants to amp up the action.

Use the Content Creator to build lap or point-to-point courses, adding barriers, ramps, explosives, and more. Tune your vehicle for optimal performance, and host private sessions to test designs before sharing. Perfect for solo practice or group competitions, with weekly bonuses on stunt races offering extra GTA$.

3. Rally Races

Rally Races emphasize teamwork. The driver relies on a navigator for directions since checkpoints are hidden. Use voice chat or on-screen arrows for hilarious mishaps. In 2025, new rally tracks from the Money Fronts DLC add themed twists with urban evasion routes inspired by heists.

Ideal for friends. Communication is key to victory, and the chaos without it is endlessly entertaining. Select off-road vehicles like the Sanchez or Brawler for better handling on dirt paths. Payouts scale with difficulty, and double rewards often appear in weekly updates.

4. Adversary Modes

Adversary Modes pit players against each other in unique PvP scenarios, assigned by contacts like Martin Madrazo. Access them via the Online Jobs Menu, with maps varying by mode. The 2024-2025 updates added dozens more, including combat series and community favorites, plus the new Slasher variation in the Ramius Submarine running until November 6 for triple rewards.

With over 50 modes now, variety is huge. From team deathmatches to objective-based games like Overtime Rumble or Sumo, where vehicles push opponents off edges. Filter by player count (2-30) to match your crew size, and earn leaderboards points for exclusive rewards.

5. Arena War

Arena War, introduced earlier but refreshed in 2025 weekly events, features vehicular combat inside the Maze Bank Arena. Customize vehicles with special variants and mods for missions involving props, terrain, and stunts. Recent updates include triple rewards on Series races and new deathmatch maps with explosive hazards.

Great for adrenaline rushes, with new liveries and vehicles from recent DLCs like the Weaponized Tampa for GTA+ members. Choose classes like Demolition for tanky builds or Pursuit for agile chases. Buy an Arena Workshop for full customization and passive income.

6. Survival Modes

Survival Modes have seen major expansions in 2025, including Zombie Survivals during Halloween events and new maps like Cayo Perico Survival and Ludendorff Cemetery. Battle waves of enemies for increasing rewards, with the Cemetery mode offering triple GTA$ and RP through mid-October.

Earn double GTA$ and RP during events. Perfect for solo or co-op play against hordes, using bunkers or apartments as bases. Stock up on ammo and snacks beforehand, and aim for gold medals to unlock bonuses like the Buzzard attack chopper.

7. Casino Games

Gamble at the Diamond Casino & Resort with slots, blackjack, roulette, and more. Updated in 2025 with new high-stakes tables and weekly prizes, including mystery wheels with chances for penthouse access or vehicles. Chips are earned or bought, convertible to in-game cash.

Win chips for prizes like vehicles. Relaxing fun with a chance for big wins, but set limits to avoid losses. Join the Lucky Wheel spin daily for free rewards, and watch for double chip events on poker tournaments.

8. Flight School

Sharpen your piloting skills at the Los Santos Flight School. Lessons and challenges improve flying stats. 2025 updates add new aircraft trials featuring the latest jets from DLCs, like evasive maneuvers in the Ocelot Pariah.

Earn medals and RP. Essential for mastering jets and helicopters, with gold medals unlocking discounts on aircraft. Practice landings, dogfights, and formation flying—great for preparing for heist finales or free roam chases.

9. Collectibles Hunting

Hunt for collectibles like action figures, playing cards, or signal jammers across the map. 2025 DLCs add new ones, like hidden treasures in expanded properties from Money Fronts, with maps updated via the Interaction Menu under "Collectibles".

Rewards include cash, RP, and unlocks. Exploration at its best, often with double payouts during scavenger hunts. Use community apps or in-game hints to locate them, and team up to cover ground faster in a single session.

10. Drift Races

New in 2025's Drift Week events, these races focus on sliding around corners with upgraded vehicles. Compete for bonuses and free cars, with tracks emphasizing hairpin turns and long straights for chaining drifts.

Skill-based racing with a fresh twist on handling. Install low-grip tires and tune suspension for maximum scores. Weekly leaderboards offer exclusive drift liveries, and practice in free roam to perfect your technique.

>>> Read more: Franklin's House GTA 5 - Location, Details, How To Get Inside, And More!