Sports and esports projects are impossible to imagine without operational data: match results, bookmaker odds, team lineups, and player statistics. To ensure that this data is delivered consistently and quickly, developers use sports APIs. This tool addresses a key problem — it automates data collection and allows integration into websites, applications, or analytical platforms.
One of the leaders is the service API-sport, which is actively used by developers, betting platforms, sports media, and analysts around the world.
What is API-sport?
An API is a programming interface that provides access to the data and functions of the service through requests. API-sport — one of the most popular platforms providing sports statistics.
The API-sport platform appeared on the market a few years ago and from the very beginning attracted attention due to the high accuracy of the provided data and the speed of its updates. During this time, the service has managed to gain the trust of many projects — from small sports blogs to large analytical platforms. Users gain access to a variety of information: live match results, historical game archives, current odds, team lineups, detailed player statistics, and even transfer information.
Among the features of API-sport, it is worth highlighting the ease of integration via REST and WebSocket, support for a wide range of sports, and a special emphasis on esports disciplines, which favorably distinguishes the service from competitors.
What APIs are popular for esports?
APIs for esports provide a wide range of information:
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real-time match results;
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odds for betting and predictions;
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team lineups and changes in them;
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detailed statistics of players and teams;
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game history, tournament schedules, and transfers.
Supported sports
API services cover both traditional disciplines (football, hockey, basketball, tennis) and esports: CS:GO, Dota 2, League of Legends, Valorant, Overwatch.
Technologies and formats
Modern APIs support:
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REST — the standard for requests;
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WebSocket — for live data;
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JSON and XML formats — for convenient integration.
How to access the API?
To to start working with API-sport, the first step is to register on the official website of the service. After creating an account, the user is provided with a unique API key, which serves as an identifier for all requests to the platform. Immediately after registration, you can choose a suitable tariff: from a limited free trial to full PRO subscriptions with extended capabilities. The free tariff is perfect for familiarizing yourself with the API’s functionality or for small projects, while paid subscriptions provide full access to live data, player statistics, odds, and historical archives.
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 official access, API-sport can be connected through third-party aggregator platforms such as RapidAPI or SportRadar. This approach is convenient for those who want to combine data from multiple sources through a single access point. However, it is worth considering that using aggregators often costs more and imposes limitations on data update speed and the number of requests.
12. Free plans usually include limited access to historical data and basic statistics. Paid subscriptions unlock:
Free plans provide a basic set of features: match results, a limited number of requests, and access to basic statistical data. They are suitable for testing or small projects. Paid subscriptions unlock a wider range of functionality: live results in real-time, extended match archives, detailed team composition data, betting odds, and transfer information. Additionally, the PRO subscription allows for API integration into large projects without restrictions on speed and request volume.
17. Number of requests per minute/hour
Each plan has specific limits. In the free version, this usually means a limit on the number of requests per minute and less frequently updated live data. Paid plans significantly expand these limits, but even they have certain regulations regarding update frequency and the number of simultaneous connections. Understanding these limitations is important for the correct integration of the API into projects where high accuracy and timely information updates are required.
API Integration
Connection examples (Python, JavaScript)
The connection takes just a few lines of code. In Python and JS, you can quickly get match results or odds.
Python
import requests
# Your unique API key
API_KEY = ‘YOUR_API_KEY’
# Example request: getting a list of esports matches
url = ‘https://api-sport.pro/v1/esports/matches’
headers = {
‘X-API-KEY’: API_KEY
}
response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)
if response.status_code == 200:
data = response.json()
for match in data[‘matches’]:
print(f»{match[‘home_team’]} vs {match[‘away_team’]} — {match[‘status’]}»)
else:
print(f»Error: {response.status_code}»)
JavaScript (Node.js)
const fetch = require(‘node-fetch’);
// Your unique API key
const API_KEY = ‘YOUR_API_KEY’;
// Example request: getting odds for a match
const url = ‘https://api-sport.pro/v1/esports/odds’;
fetch(url, {
method: ‘GET’,
headers: { ‘X-API-KEY’: API_KEY }
})
.then(response => response.json())
.then(data => {
data.odds.forEach(match => {
console.log(`${match.home_team} vs ${match.away_team}`);
console.log(`Coefficients: ${JSON.stringify(match.bookmakers)}`);
});
})
.catch(error => console.error(‘Error:’, error));
Integration into CMS and mobile applications
The API is easy to integrate into WordPress projects (for example, for sports blogs), as well as into mobile applications for Android and iOS.
Using live data via WebSocket
Instead of constant requests to the server (polling), WebSocket allows for instant data retrieval — an ideal option for live betting and streaming services.
Where is it used?
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Betting and odds scanners. Automation of bets and search for favorable odds.
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Sports analytics. Used for building forecasts and models.
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Media and fan applications. Information portals receive live data without manual updates.
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Fantasy Sports and esports. Players form virtual teams based on current metrics.
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BI and Big Data. Data from the API is used by analytical systems for global research.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
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wide coverage of sports and esports;
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high update speed;
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data accuracy;
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convenient integration formats.
Cons:
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cost of PRO tariffs;
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limitations of free plans;
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the need for technical preparation for integration.
Alternatives to API-sport.
Among competitors stand out:
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SportRadar — expensive, but an official partner of many leagues.
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RapidAPI — an aggregator of many APIs, but with speed limitations.
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The Odds API — more focused on odds.
When to use competitors? If you only need a specific market (for example, odds without statistics) or an official license from sports federations.
In summary
APIs are becoming an indispensable tool for esports: they speed up access to information, make the work of analysts and bookmakers more accurate, and applications more interesting for users. API-sport holds a leading position due to convenient integration, support for esports disciplines, and high data update speed.
👉 Register: https://app.api-sport.ru/register.
FAQ
Is there free access?
Yes, API-sport provides a test rate with a limited number of requests.
What sports are supported?
Football, hockey, basketball, tennis, and major esports disciplines.
Is the API suitable for betting?
Yes, data on odds and live results allow for the integration of the API into betting platforms.
How to connect the API to the application?
It is enough to obtain an API key and send requests via REST or WebSocket.
Can the API be used for predictions?
Yes, many analytical companies build predictive models specifically on API data.
Does the API support integration with CMS?
Yes, the service can be connected to WordPress or other CMS.
