Sports services are no longer limited to publishing match results in the news. Fans, bookmakers, analysts, and media want to receive data instantly — right during the game. This is where sports APIs come to the rescue. They solve the problem of delays and allow the integration of statistics, odds, and event broadcasts into any digital products.
Live sports APIs are in demand among application developers, betting platforms, sports media, and companies engaged in analytics and forecasting. One of the most popular solutions on the market is API-sport, which combines convenient REST access and WebSocket connections for streaming live data.
What is a sports API and the features of API-sport
API (Application Programming Interface) is a way for third-party applications to access service data. In the sports field, this means: match results, league tables, bookmaker odds, player statistics, and even transfer history.
API-sport has established itself as one of the most versatile platforms. It is used by both startups and large media. It provides:
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real-time data;
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archives of matches and players;
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team statistics and individual athlete metrics.
The platform stands out from competitors by supporting over 40 sports, including esports, operating through REST and WebSocket, with updates arriving with minimal delay.
Integration of live sports API via WebSocket and REST
Through the API, you can obtain:
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match results and current scores;
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bookmaker odds and lines;
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team compositions and substitutions;
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player statistics (goals, assists, fouls, activity rating);
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transfer and news data.
This is useful for both bet calculations and analytical systems.
Supported sports
Football, hockey, basketball, tennis, volleyball, baseball, handball, rugby, as well as esports — CS:GO, Dota 2, League of Legends, and others.
Technologies and formats
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REST — for classic requests and obtaining structured data.
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WebSocket — for live streaming of statistics and odds.
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JSON and XML — convenient formats for information transfer.
How to access the API?
The most reliable and direct way to work with API-sport — is registration on the official platform. The connection process usually involves several steps:
- Account registration — the user creates a profile on the site, providing an email and basic information.
- Obtaining a unique API key — after activating the account, the service issues a personal key that is used in every request to the server. This key is a kind of «passport» for the application.
- Choosing a tariff plan — depending on the tasks, you can connect a free trial package or switch to one of the PRO plans with extended features.
Such access guarantees:
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data relevance;
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official support from the service;
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transparent terms of use and updates.
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.
Companies do not always connect directly. Sometimes it is easier to use API aggregators or alternative services:
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RapidAPI — a platform that brings together hundreds of different APIs, including sports ones. This is convenient for testing and quick prototypes, but it is more expensive and has speed limitations.
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SportRadar — one of the largest competitors providing data under licenses. Suitable for large betting companies, but differs in high cost and a complex connection process.
Using third-party providers can be justified if there is a need to combine several sources at once or to have exclusive data, but for stable and large-scale integration, it is still recommended to connect to API-sport directly.
12. Free plans usually include limited access to historical data and basic statistics. Paid subscriptions unlock:
API-sport provides a flexible tariff system designed for different categories of users:
Free access:
- a limited number of requests per day;
- basic data (for example, match results and minimal statistics);
- access only to part of the sports disciplines.
Paid tariffs (PRO):
- extended limits on requests;
- live data and instant updates;
- bookmaker odds and advanced analytics;
- access to match archives and extended statistics of players and teams.
The free plan is suitable for testing or small projects. But if the project is related to analytics, predictions, or betting, PRO access is essential.
17. Number of requests per minute/hour
To distribute the load and ensure stable operation, the service imposes restrictions:
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Request limits — on free plans, there may be, for example, 50–100 requests per day, while paid plans allow from several thousand to unlimited requests.
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Update speed — free access receives data with a delay, while PRO plans provide live information with minimal delay.
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Number of available features — some data (for example, bookmaker odds or transfer statistics) is only available on paid plans.
It is important to consider these limits when developing an application. For example, if displaying live scores for thousands of users is planned, a premium plan will need to be budgeted to avoid blocks and errors in requests.
API Integration
Connection examples (Python, JavaScript)
Python:
import requests
url = «https://api-sport.pro/football/matches»
headers = {«x-apisports-key»: «YOUR_API_KEY»}
response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)
print(response.json())
JavaScript (fetch):
fetch(«https://api-sport.pro/football/matches», {
headers: { «x-apisports-key»: «YOUR_API_KEY» }
})
.then(response => response.json())
.then(data => console.log(data));
Integration into CMS and mobile applications
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There are plugins for WordPress that allow displaying live results and tables.
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In Android/iOS, data can be connected via REST requests and updated in real-time using WebSocket.
Using live data via WebSocket
WebSocket provides instant updates. Unlike polling (constant REST requests), it reduces server load and guarantees minimal delay in data transmission.
Where is it used?
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In betting — odds scanners and betting calculators.
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In sports analytics — predictions of match outcomes.
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In media and fan applications — broadcasts of results and statistics.
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In Fantasy Sports and esports — automatic updates of player rankings.
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In Big Data projects — analysis of player and team behavior.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
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support for multiple sports;
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high accuracy and minimal delay;
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convenient data formats;
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flexible integration options.
Cons:
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cost of PRO tariffs;
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limitations of the free version;
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basic training is required for integration.
Alternatives to API-sport.
There are also SportRadar, RapidAPI, The Odds API on the market.
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SportRadar – official licenses and maximum accuracy, but expensive.
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RapidAPI – a convenient aggregator, but with speed limitations.
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The Odds API – focus on odds, less data on statistics.
The choice of competitors is justified if local coverage or access to exclusive data is needed.
In summary
Integration of live sports API via WebSocket and REST opens up opportunities for bookmakers, analysts, media, and app developers. API-sport provides universal access to sports data, supports over 40 sports, and operates with minimal latency. It is a convenient tool for those who value speed, accuracy, and scalability.
👉 Registration: https://app.api-sport.ru/register
👉 Our TG channel with updates: https://t.me/apisportru.
FAQ
Is there free access?
Yes, but with limitations on requests and types of data.
What sports are supported?
From football and hockey to esports.
Is the API suitable for betting?
Yes, many bookmakers use data to calculate odds.
How to connect the API to the application?
Through REST requests or WebSocket connections, SDK examples are available.
Can the API be used for predictions?
Yes, player and team statistics are perfect for analytics.
Is the API suitable for media platforms?
Yes, the media uses it for live broadcasts and real-time statistics.
