Modern sports have long ceased to be just a spectacle — entire industries of analytics, betting, and media have been built around it. The main problem that sports APIs solve is quick access to relevant data: match results, odds, player statistics. Without them, neither app developers, nor bookmakers, nor sports media will be able to operate in real time.
API-sport has become one of the key platforms in this niche, providing convenient and scalable access to information on a multitude of sports. For developers, betting companies, sports media, and analysts, this service has become a standard of quality.
What is API-sport?
API (Application Programming Interface) is a tool that allows the integration of sports data into websites, mobile applications, and analytical services.
API-sport is one of the most popular platforms, covering dozens of sports and providing:
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real-time match results,
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extended statistics,
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game archives,
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bookmaker odds,
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information on lineups and transfers.
It is characterized by high update speed, wide coverage of disciplines, and ease of connection. The popularity of API-sport is explained by the fact that the service is suitable for both beginners and large companies working with Big Data.
Cyberhockey API
Cyberhockey API is mainly focused on data useful for betting:
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match results,
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odds and chances,
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team lineups and player statistics,
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transfers and game events.
Supported sports
Here, the possibilities are limited: the main focus is on cyberhockey, unlike API-sport, which supports football, hockey, basketball, tennis, esports, and dozens of other disciplines.
Technologies and formats
Cyberhockey API works with REST and JSON. While API-sport additionally supports WebSocket and XML, making it more convenient for live analytics and complex integrations.
How to access the API?
To start using API-sport, it is enough to go through a simple registration on the official platform. After that, the user receives a unique API key, which is used for authorization in requests. Such a key allows the system to identify the client and account for their tariff.
The connection process looks like this:
- Registration in the personal account.
- Obtaining a personal API key.
- Choosing the appropriate tariff plan depending on the required number of requests and types of sports.
- Starting the integration of the API into your project — website, mobile application, or analytical system.
For Cyberhockey API, the connection process also requires registration and obtaining a key, but the choice of tariffs and flexibility of settings here is noticeably less.
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.
If for some reason the connection directly to API-sport It is not suitable; you can always use third-party aggregators. The most popular among them are RapidAPI and SportRadar. The former is a kind of API marketplace where you can find API-sport and connect it with a convenient pricing system. The latter is a well-known sports statistics service that also provides access to data.
However, this approach has its downsides. Through third-party platforms, users receive a limited set of features compared to official access, and data updates may come with delays. Moreover, with active use, the cost of using intermediaries can turn out to be higher. In the case of Cyberhockey API, the situation is even more complicated: it is rarely found on such platforms, which means its integration support is noticeably worse.
12. Free plans usually include limited access to historical data and basic statistics. Paid subscriptions unlock:
The free functionality of Cyberhockey API is extremely limited: most often, it includes basic data without extended statistics and live updates. For full use, you need to switch to a paid plan right away.
API-sport offers a more flexible approach:
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The free plan is for testing and small projects. It includes basic data and a limited number of requests.
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Paid plans unlock full functionality: live results, match archives, extended player and team statistics, bookmaker odds.
Thus, even at the start, API-sport has the opportunity to try the service without investments, which is often lacking in Cyberhockey API.
17. Number of requests per minute/hour
Working with any API implies the presence of limits — this is the number of requests per minute or per day, as well as the speed of data updates.
Cyberhockey API has stricter limitations:
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a smaller number of requests,
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statistics update more slowly,
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a limited volume of available data even on paid plans.
API-sport is characterized by flexibility:
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plans are tailored depending on tasks (from small projects to large-scale services),
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the update speed is suitable for working with live bets,
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there is a possibility of scaling with increased load.
This makes API-sport a convenient tool for both startups and large companies.
API Integration
Connection examples
In Python:
import requests
url = «https://api-sport.pro/v1/football/matches»
headers = {«x-apisports-key»: «YOUR_API_KEY»}
response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)
print(response.json())
In JavaScript:
fetch(«https://api-sport.pro/v1/football/matches», {
headers: { «x-apisports-key»: «YOUR_API_KEY» }
})
.then(res => res.json())
.then(data => console.log(data));
CMS and mobile applications
API-sport can be integrated into WordPress projects via plugins, as well as connected to Android/iOS applications.
Live data via WebSocket
Unlike Cyberhockey API, API-sport supports WebSocket for instant data transmission, which eliminates delays from polling requests.
Where is it used?
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Betting and odds scanners — for calculating strategies and bets.
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Sports analytics and forecasts — data for machine learning models.
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Media and fan applications — broadcasting results and statistics.
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Fantasy Sports and esports — creating game scenarios.
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BI systems and Big Data — deep analytics and forecasting.
Advantages and disadvantages
API-sport
Advantages:
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Wide coverage of sports.
API-sport covers dozens of disciplines: from popular sports like football, hockey, tennis, and basketball to esports and less mainstream sports like cricket or rugby. This makes the service a universal solution for projects of any focus. -
High update speed.
Live data is updated almost instantly. This is critically important for betting platforms and analytical services, where even a delay of a couple of seconds can cost money. -
Accuracy and completeness of data.
API-sport It collects not only match results but also extensive statistics: team lineups, individual player metrics, transfers, bookmaker odds. Such a volume of information allows for building complex analytical models and forecasts.
Cons:
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Full access is only available on paid plans.
The free plan is more suitable for testing and small projects. For full-fledged work, especially with live data, a subscription will need to be purchased. -
Basic integration skills are required.
Although the documentation for API-sport is quite clear, the user needs to understand the basics of working with REST requests or WebSocket to quickly integrate the data into the project.
Cyberhockey API
Advantages:
Simplicity and minimalism.
The service is tailored for one task — cyber hockey, so it is easier to master. It can be convenient for niche projects where dozens of sports are not needed.
Cons:
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Limitation on sports types.
Unlike API-sport, which works with a wide range of disciplines, the Cyber Hockey API is essentially focused on just one direction. -
Fewer technologies and flexibility.
Support for formats and methods is limited: most often only REST and JSON. There is no WebSocket and additional features that make working with live data more convenient. -
Narrow applicability.
If the project needs scale — analytics for several sports, integration into various platforms, working with Big Data — Cyberhockey API will quickly stop coping.
Alternatives
In addition to API-sport and Cyberhockey API, there are solutions like SportRadar, TheSportsDB, RapidAPI. However, in terms of speed, coverage, and ease of integration, API-sport is more advantageous in most scenarios. Competitors may only be useful for niche projects.
In summary
Cyberhockey API is useful for niche tasks, but its capabilities are very limited. For serious projects in sports, betting, and analytics, API-sport becomes the best choice: it is faster, broader in coverage, and more convenient for integration.
👉 Registration: https://app.api-sport.ru/register
👉 Our Telegram channel with updates: https://t.me/apisportru.
FAQ
Is there free access?
Yes, API-sport has a limited free tier for testing.
What sports are supported?
API-sport covers dozens of disciplines — from football to esports. Cyberhockey API is limited.
Is the API suitable for betting?
Yes, both APIs can be used in betting, but API-sport provides more data for calculations.
How to connect the API to the application?
You need to register, get a key, and use REST or WebSocket requests.
Can the API be used for predictions?
Yes, especially API-sport, as it provides extensive statistics and archives.
Does the API support live data?
Cyberhockey API is limited, API-sport supports live and WebSocket transmission.
