Modern sports have long gone beyond the boundaries of the game. Today it is a huge industry where every second and every number is valued. Broadcasts, analytics, forecasts, and especially bets — everything is built on current data. This is where sports APIs come to the rescue, solving the main problem — the prompt acquisition and automatic updating of odds in real time.
One of the most popular solutions is API-sport. This service provides access to match results, statistics, archives, and, most importantly, odds. API-sport is indispensable for developers, betting platforms, sports media, and analysts who want to integrate data directly into applications, websites, or forecasting systems.
What is API-sport?
API (Application Programming Interface) is a tool that allows you to obtain structured data from an external source and use it in your projects.
API-sport — one of the largest providers of sports data. The platform has been known for over ten years and is actively used by both startups and large betting companies.
What data is available through API-sport:
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Live results and scores in real time;
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Match history and archival statistics;
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Odds from different bookmakers;
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Team lineups and player data;
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News about transfers, tournament schedules.
The feature of API-sport is its high update speed and wide coverage of sports. Unlike some competitors, the service works not only with football and basketball but also with tennis, hockey, and even esports.
Automatic odds updates via API
API-sport provides access to a whole range of data necessary for both betting and sports analytics. First and foremost, these are real-time odds — they are updated instantly, synchronizing with leading betting platforms. Thanks to this, users see the most relevant figures and can react without delays, which is especially important for live betting.
In addition to the odds themselves, the service also provides predicted event outcome probabilities. These are not just numbers from the bookmaker, but analytically verified data that helps understand the real probability of a team winning. This tool is useful for both betting companies and independent analysts.
No less significant is the block with match results and live statistics. Everything is collected here — from the current score and number of corners to precise statistics on ball possession or shots on goal. For sports media, this is an opportunity to instantly broadcast current events, and for applications — to give the user a «live picture» of what is happening.
Special attention is also paid to team lineups and player information. API-sport allows tracking starting lineups, substitutions, and even individual athlete statistics. For coaches, analysts, or fans, this information becomes crucial: it helps understand the player’s form and how their participation affects the overall result.
Finally, the service also covers long-term data — transfers and tournament history. You can trace how the team’s lineup has changed over the past years, which clubs participated in tournaments, and how the results unfolded in the past. Such data is valuable for those who build forecasts based on dynamics and meeting history.
API-sport — it is not just a source of «dry» numbers. It is a full-fledged knowledge base, where every detail — from odds to transfer history — helps form a holistic view of sports and make more accurate decisions.
Supported sports
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Football (from the Champions League to regional tournaments);
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Hockey (NHL, KHL, and national championships);
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Basketball (NBA, Euroleague, FIBA);
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Tennis (ATP, WTA, ITF);
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Esports (CS:GO, Dota 2, LoL and other disciplines).
Technologies and formats
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REST API — for HTTP requests;
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WebSocket — for receiving live data without delay;
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Data formats: JSON and XML — conveniently integrate into different systems.
How to access the API?
To get started with API-sport, nothing overly complicated is required, the process is as transparent and understandable as possible even for those who are just starting to get acquainted with the API.
The first step will be registration on the official website of the service. After creating an account, the user gains access to a personal account where they can manage settings, view available API methods, and monitor usage statistics. Registration takes just a few minutes, but it is what opens the way to obtaining real-time data.
Next, it is necessary to obtain a personal API key. This is a unique code used for authorization in the system. Essentially, the key is your «pass» to the API-sport database. It confirms that it is you who is sending requests and allows the service to account for your tariff, number of requests, and update speed of information. Without a key, access to the data is impossible, so this step is mandatory.
The third stage is choosing a tariff. API-sport offers different options: from free access with limitations to professional tariffs that unlock full functionality. The free package usually provides a limited number of requests per day and access only to basic data, which is great for testing and initial steps. However, for serious projects — whether it’s a betting platform, analytical system, or sports application — it’s better to consider PRO tariffs. They provide extended limits, access to live data without delays, and the ability to process large volumes of information.
The connection process can be described in three simple steps: registered, obtained a key, and chose a tariff. But behind this simplicity lies enormous potential — automatic updating of odds, working with live results, and access to one of the most comprehensive sports databases on the market.
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.
Although the main and most reliable way to work with API-sport — this is registration on the official website, it is worth noting that access to the data is also possible through third-party aggregator platforms. This is convenient for developers who already use such services to connect different APIs and want to manage them from a single interface.
For example, RapidAPI is the largest API marketplace, where tens of thousands of solutions for various tasks are gathered in one place. Here you can find API-sport, connect it literally in a few clicks, and immediately test its operation right in the browser. RapidAPI is convenient in that it allows flexible management of requests, tracking statistics, and even switching between different APIs without wasting time on separate registrations.
Another popular provider is SportRadar. This is a direct competitor to API-sport, which focuses on advanced analytics and detailed statistical models. However, unlike SportRadar, which is primarily aimed at large corporations and bookmakers with big budgets, API-sport remains a more accessible solution for startups, developers, and sports media.
Users have two paths: connect directly to API-sport and work with the data without intermediaries or use aggregators like RapidAPI for convenience and centralized management. The choice depends on the tasks: some value the speed and simplicity of official connection, while others prefer the ability to combine several services at once.
API Integration
Connection examples (Python, JavaScript)
Python:
import requests
url = «https://api.sportsdata.io/v4/soccer/scores/json/GamesByDate/2023-09-15»
headers = {«Ocp-Apim-Subscription-Key»: «YOUR_API_KEY»}
response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)
print(response.json())
JavaScript:
fetch(«https://api.sportsdata.io/v4/soccer/scores/json/GamesByDate/2023-09-15», {
headers: { «Ocp-Apim-Subscription-Key»: «YOUR_API_KEY» }
})
.then(res => res.json())
.then(data => console.log(data));
Integration into CMS and mobile applications
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WordPress: plugins for displaying live results and odds.
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Android/iOS: connecting APIs for mobile applications with live data.
Using live data via WebSocket
Polling (regular requests) often overloads the system. WebSocket solves the problem: data arrives instantly, without delays, which is especially important for live betting.
Where is it used?
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In betting and odds scanners.
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In sports analytics and forecasts.
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In media and fan applications.
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In Fantasy Sports and esports.
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In BI systems and Big Data projects.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
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Wide coverage of sports.
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Instant update of odds.
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High accuracy of data.
Cons:
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Full access is available only by subscription.
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There are limitations on requests.
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Basic programming knowledge is required for integration.
FAQ
Is there free access?
Yes, but with limitations on the number of requests and update speed.
What sports are supported?
Football, hockey, basketball, tennis, esports, and many others.
Is the API suitable for betting?
Yes, many bookmakers use API-sport for live odds.
How to connect the API to the application?
Through REST requests or WebSocket, using an API key.
Can the API be used for predictions?
Yes, available statistics and archives are great for analytical models.
