In sports analytics and betting, it is important to quickly obtain accurate data about matches, results, and odds. Sports APIs solve this problem by providing real-time information and allowing integration into their own applications and platforms.
Service API-sport — one of the leaders in the sports API market. It is useful for developers, analysts, sports media, and betting platforms, allowing automatic tracking of changes in odds, player lineups, match results, and other important data.
What is API-sport?
API (Application Programming Interface) is an interface that allows applications to exchange data with each other. API-sport specializes in sports information, providing data on matches, player statistics, bookmaker odds, and competition history.
The platform has been around for several years and has gained popularity due to the accuracy of data and extensive coverage of sporting events. Unlike many competitors, API-sport provides not only live data but also archived statistics, as well as advanced metrics on players, teams, and leagues.
Data available through API-sport:
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Match results in real time;
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Player and team statistics;
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Odds from leading bookmakers;
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Transfer history and lineups;
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Archived data and rankings.
The feature API-sport — high data update speed and the ability to integrate into any format, including REST and WebSocket.
Monitoring bookmaker lines using the API
Using API-sport For monitoring bookmaker lines, you gain access to a wide range of data that allows for in-depth analysis of events and the construction of your own forecasting models.
Odds on match outcomes. The API provides information on the odds of leading bookmakers for different match outcomes — win, draw, loss, as well as more complex options: exact score, handicaps, and totals. This is especially important for odds scanners and automated betting systems that track even minor changes in the line.
Live results and statistics. In real-time, you can receive information about the progress of matches: number of goals, corners, ball possession, fouls, and other key indicators. Such data allows for instant reactions to changes in the game and analysis of trends, which is particularly useful for live betting.
Team lineups and player updates. API-sport provides up-to-date information on starting lineups, player substitutions, injuries, and suspensions. This helps to adjust forecasts and bets, taking into account real changes in the team lineup and the current form of athletes.
Information on transfers and suspensions. Data on player transfers between clubs and their temporary unavailability allows for forecasting the impact of changes on the team’s performance in the future, as well as building analytical reports for long-term planning.
Historical data for betting analysis. Archive statistics of matches, odds, and results provide the opportunity to conduct retrospective analysis, identify patterns, and evaluate betting strategies based on real data from past seasons.
All this data can be integrated into analytical systems and mobile applications, create visualizations, build forecasting algorithms, and track the movement of odds in real time.. As a result, API-sport it becomes a powerful tool for betting professionals, sports analysts, and application developers who want to receive accurate and timely data without manual monitoring.
Supported sports
API-sport covers a wide range of disciplines:
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Football;
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Hockey;
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Basketball;
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Tennis;
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Volleyball;
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Esports (Dota 2, CS:GO, League of Legends, etc.);
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American football and other popular leagues.
Technologies and formats
Modern technologies are used to work with API-sport:
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REST — a classic approach for HTTP requests;
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WebSocket — for live data with minimal latency;
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JSON and XML — data transmission formats convenient for processing by any programming languages.
How to access the API?
To fully connect to API-sport it is necessary to go through several steps to ensure you receive up-to-date data and have the ability to integrate it into your applications or platforms.
- Registration on the API-sport website. First, you need to create an account on the official portal. The process is simple: you provide your name, email, create a password, and confirm your account. After that, you gain access to your personal account, where you can manage API settings and track request usage.
- Obtaining a personal API key. After registration, you can generate a unique key that is used for authentication when accessing the API. This key ensures security and allows the service to track the number of requests and access level.
- Choosing a tariff plan. API-sport offers several plans: from free to professional (PRO). The free plan allows you to test the API and receive basic data, while paid subscriptions provide full access to live odds, extended statistics, match archives, and additional integration features.
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 website, API-sport it is available through external platforms, allowing you to integrate its data into projects in a way that is convenient for you:
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RapidAPI — an API marketplace that brings together many services in one interface. Here you can connect to API-sport without the need for direct interaction with the official portal, use standard libraries for Python, JavaScript, or mobile applications, and quickly test different plans.
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SportRadar — one of the competitors with deeper analytics and advanced metrics. It is suitable for projects where maximum accuracy of statistics is critical, although the cost of such subscriptions is usually higher than that of API-sport. Using third-party providers is convenient for companies that are already working with aggregated APIs and want to minimize integration efforts.
12. Free plans usually include limited access to historical data and basic statistics. Paid subscriptions unlock:
API-sport offers a flexible pricing system to meet different user needs:
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Free plans. They provide limited access to data: basic match statistics, several live odds, a limit on the number of requests. A great option for testing or small projects.
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Paid plans. These subscriptions provide full access to data: all odds from leading bookmakers, archived statistics, detailed player information, transfers, disqualifications, advanced metrics, and the ability to integrate into professional analytical systems. Paid plans ensure stable real-time data updates and priority access to the API.
17. Number of requests per minute/hour
Any API has its technical limitations, and API-sport is no exception:
Number of requests. Each plan corresponds to a limit on requests per minute, hour, or day. This prevents server overload and ensures equal access for all users.
Data update speed. Free plans may have a delay of several minutes, while paid subscriptions provide almost instant updates of live data.
Access to certain types of information. Some data, such as archived matches, advanced player statistics, or specific odds, are only available on paid plans.
Understanding these limitations is important for proper planning of API integration into projects and preventing disruptions in the operation of applications or analytical systems.
API Integration
Connection examples (Python, JavaScript)
Python:
import requests
url = «https://api-sport.pro/v1/matches»
headers = {«X-API-Key»: «YOUR_API_KEY»}
response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)
print(response.json())
JavaScript:
fetch(«https://api-sport.pro/v1/matches», {
headers: { «X-API-Key»: «YOUR_API_KEY» }
})
.then(response => response.json())
.then(data => console.log(data));
Integration into CMS and mobile applications
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WordPress — through plugins or custom modules;
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Android/iOS — through SDKs and HTTP requests, data is conveniently used in mobile applications and widgets.
Using live data via WebSocket
Live data via WebSocket allows for real-time updates without constant polling of the server. This is critical for tracking odds movements and match dynamics.
Where is it used?
API-sport used in:
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Betting and odds scanners — for automatic line tracking;
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Sports analytics and forecasts — creating predictive models;
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Media and fan applications — updates on results, news, and statistics;
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Fantasy Sports and esports — team lineups, transfers, live statistics;
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BI systems and Big Data projects — analysis of team and player performance.
Alternatives to API-sport.
Popular alternatives:
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SportRadar — deep analytics and advanced metrics;
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RapidAPI — access to multiple APIs through a single interface;
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TheSportsDB — free API with limited data;
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Betfair API — specialized in bookmaker odds.
The choice depends on the goals: for live betting, API-sport or SportRadar is better, for media projects, RapidAPI and TheSportsDB will do.
In summary
Monitoring bookmaker lines using APIs is a modern tool for application development, analytics, and betting. API-sport provides extensive coverage of sporting events, live data, historical statistics, and odds, making it indispensable for developers, analysts, and betting platforms.
Registration: https://app.api-sport.ru/register
Our TG channel with updates: https://t.me/apisportru.
FAQ
Is there free access?
Yes, API-sport offers a basic free plan with a limited number of requests.
What sports are supported?
Football, hockey, basketball, tennis, esports, and many others.
Is the API suitable for betting?
Yes, data on odds and results allows for building analytical models for betting.
How to connect the API to the application?
Through HTTP requests (REST) or WebSocket for live data, in Python, JavaScript, and mobile SDKs.
Can the API be used for predictions?
Yes, predictive models can be created using player, team, and odds statistics.
Are there any limits on requests?
Yes, the limits depend on the plan: free versions have a lower limit, paid ones provide full access.
