The world of esports is developing at a rapid pace. Tournaments for Dota 2, CS2, and League of Legends attract millions of viewers, and betting on match outcomes is becoming as popular as in traditional sports. But along with the growth in popularity comes the need for fast and accurate data: match results, player statistics, bookmaker odds, head-to-head history.
This task is solved by sports APIs. One of the most in-demand services — API-sport, which allows developers, betting platforms, sports media, and analysts to obtain structured data in real time.
What is API-sport?
An API is a programming interface that enables applications to exchange data. In the case of API-sport, it refers to a specialized platform providing sports and esports information.
The history of the service began with coverage of popular sports disciplines: football, basketball, tennis. Over time, esports was added, including Dota 2, CS2, and LoL, making the platform particularly relevant for betting companies and analytical services.
What data is available through API-sport:
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live scores;
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player and team statistics;
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bookmaker odds;
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rosters and transfers;
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match archives.
Features of API-sport:
One of the key advantages API-sport is its versatility: it covers not only traditional sports such as football, hockey, basketball, or tennis, but also esports, including the most in-demand disciplines — Dota 2, CS2, and League of Legends. This makes the platform equally useful for sports analysts and for creators of services aimed at the gaming audience.
No less important is the ability to receive data in real time. Thanks to support for WebSocket technology, API users are not dependent on periodic requests to the server — updates arrive instantly. This approach is especially valuable for applications with live betting and online broadcasts, where even a few seconds of delay can play a critical role.
For convenience of integration, the data is available in the most common formats — JSON and XML. This simplifies the process of connecting to any systems, whether they are websites on popular CMS, mobile applications, or analytical platforms.
In addition, API-sport features a flexible pricing system. Users can choose a suitable plan depending on their tasks: free packages with basic functions are suitable for testing and small projects, while paid subscriptions will provide access to full archives, bookmaker odds, and a larger number of requests. This structure allows the service to be used by both startups and enthusiasts, as well as large companies.
API for esports: Dota 2, CS2, LoL
APIs for esports provides a complete set of data that serves as the foundation for both betting platforms and analytical services. First and foremost, these are match results that allow tracking outcomes in real time and building forecasts based on them. Additionally, the service transmits odds and probabilities, which is especially important for bookmakers and players monitoring the dynamics of bets during tournaments.
Special attention is paid to team rosters. Through the API, information about starting lineups, player substitutions, and internal team rearrangements can be obtained — this data is critical for analyzing team form and preparing for matches.
Individual player statistics are also of great value. For Dota 2, this may include the number of kills, deaths, and assists, average farming rate or GPM/XPM; for CS2 — shooting accuracy, percentage of won duels, and contribution to rounds; for LoL — number of destroyed towers, KDA, farming per minute. Such depth allows for building detailed predictive models and identifying strengths and weaknesses of participants.
Finally, the API covers tournament information and transfers. Users can see the schedule of upcoming games, stages of championships, and player movements between teams. All this forms a comprehensive picture necessary for strategic analysis and content preparation for media, fan applications, or forecasting systems.
It is this comprehensive coverage of metrics that makes API services particularly valuable tools in betting and esports analytics.
Supported sports
In addition to esports, API-sport covers football, hockey, basketball, tennis, baseball, and dozens of other disciplines. Thus, developers can combine data and build universal platforms.
Technologies and formats
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REST API — for retrieving data via HTTP requests;
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WebSocket — for instant updates without delays;
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JSON and XML are data transmission formats that are convenient for integration.
How to access the API for esports: Dota 2, CS2, LoL
To get started with API-sport, you need to go through a few simple but important steps.
The first step is to register on the official website of the service. This process takes just a few minutes: you only need to provide basic information, create an account, and confirm your email. After registration, access to the personal account is opened, where you can manage keys, tariffs, and notification settings.
The next step is to obtain a personal API key. This is a unique code used to identify your application when sending requests to the API. The key ensures security and allows the service to track the number of requests, as well as provide you with data according to the selected tariff.
The third step is to choose the appropriate tariff. API-sport offers different plans: from free trial packages that provide limited access to basic data, to professional subscriptions (PRO) with a full set of features — live results, match archives, bookmaker odds, and advanced player statistics. This approach allows adapting the use of the API to the needs of both small projects and startups, as well as large commercial platforms.
After completing these steps, you can immediately integrate the API into your services and receive data on esports, including Dota 2, CS2, and LoL, in real-time.
10. RapidAPI, SportRadar, and other platforms provide access to BetsAPI and Livescore API through their channels. This is convenient for developers who need ready-made integrations and reliable SLAs.
In addition to the official connection through the website API-sport, there is an option to use third-party providers that simplify integration and provide access to the service through universal platforms.
One such provider is RapidAPI. It is a large API marketplace that hosts hundreds of different services, including sports and esports data. Through RapidAPI, you can connect API-sport to your application without the need to work directly with the service documentation. The platform also provides convenient tools for testing requests, monitoring key usage, and setting limits.
Another option is SportRadar, a popular alternative with advanced analytics and a large data coverage. SportRadar also supports esports, including Dota 2, CS2, and LoL, and provides advanced capabilities for betting, forecasting, and building statistical models. Using such third-party providers can be especially useful if integration of several APIs is required or if the project is aimed at a quick start with minimal setup.
Third-party providers expand the capabilities of API-sport, making it accessible for developers, startups, and analytics teams who want to quickly connect to esports data.
API Integration
Connection examples
Python (requests):
import requests
url = «https://api-sport.com/esports/dota2/matches»
headers = {«Authorization»: «Bearer YOUR_API_KEY»}
response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)
print(response.json())
JavaScript (fetch):
fetch(«https://api-sport.com/esports/cs2/matches», {
headers: { «Authorization»: «Bearer YOUR_API_KEY» }
})
.then(res => res.json())
.then(data => console.log(data));
Integration into CMS and mobile applications
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WordPress: connection via plugins or custom widgets.
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Android/iOS: displaying live results within applications.
Using live data via WebSocket
WebSocket provides instant updates. Unlike polling, where requests are made manually, here the server itself sends changes in real time. This is especially important for live betting and streaming applications.
Where is it used?
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Betting and odds scanners;
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Sports analytics and forecasts;
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Media and fan applications;
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Fantasy Sports and esports;
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BI systems and Big Data projects.
Alternatives to API-sport.
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SportRadar — focus on analytics and forecasting.
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Pandascore — specialization specifically in esports.
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TheSportsDB — community and open-source format.
It is advisable to use competitors if only niche data or specialized analytical capabilities are needed.,
FAQ
Is there free access?
Yes, but with a limited number of requests.
What sports are supported?
Football, hockey, basketball, tennis, baseball, as well as esports (Dota 2, CS2, LoL, etc.).
Is the API suitable for betting?
Yes, API data is used by betting platforms to calculate odds.
How to connect the API to the application?
Through HTTP requests (REST) or WebSocket. Examples are available in the documentation.
Can the API be used for predictions?
Yes, statistics and match archives are suitable for building analytical models.
What technologies are supported?
REST, WebSocket, JSON, XML.
