Introducing the Sports App Market Landscape

The sports app industry has transformed dramatically over the past decade, reshaping how fans follow, interact with and participate in sport. The explosion of data, streaming access and fan engagement tools has created one of the most dynamic ecosystems in mobile.

Fantasy sports and sports betting apps have fuelled an appetite for detailed player and team statistics, pushing score and news apps to go far beyond simple results. The legalisation of betting across much of the United States has created new billion dollar companies, and an industry worth tens of billions.

At the same time, OTT platforms and league-owned services have made live sport more accessible than ever, with highlights and behind-the-scenes content available within minutes of each match. In most leagues, all of the live games are available to watch on one platform, rather than having to sign up to several different cable networks.

In our Sports App Market Map, we have covered all of the main categories in the sports app ecosystem:

Live sports OTT – ESPN, NBC Sports and Sky Sports remain major cable and satellite broadcasters, while streaming-only services such as DAZN, FuboTV and Prime Video cater to cord-cutters worldwide.

Leagues – Many major leagues run their own apps, offering highlights, stats, and exclusive content. NFL Network, F1 TV and UFC stream events directly, while others, like the Champions League app, focus on video and data hubs.

Score trackers – Sofascore, Flashscore and LiveScore have become essential companions for fans, combining live data, historical stats and player insights. Single-sport specialists like FotMob, CricBuzz and OneFootball deliver similar depth within their niche.

Sports news – The Athletic, Bleacher Report and Barstool Sports integrate stats, analysis and fan engagement tools into their coverage, while BBC Sport, Marca and L’Équipe remain key sources for breaking news and rumours.

Fantasy sports – Apps like Underdog, Chalkboard and Fantasy Premier League let users build and manage teams, while PrizePicks, Dabble and Sleeper add real-money contests to the mix.

Professional teams – Clubs are increasingly turning their apps into fan ecosystems, combining behind-the-scenes access with ticketing and merchandise sales. Real Madrid and FC Barcelona lead globally, with Manchester United and Manchester City strong in the UK.

Sports betting – Betting remains a defining segment, long established in the UK through bet365, Paddy Power and Betfred, and rapidly expanding in the US through FanDuel and DraftKings.

Merchandise – Fanatics dominates global sports merchandise with exclusive drops and partnerships, while Topps and Panini lead in collectibles and trading cards.

Coaching – GameChanger and Hudl provide analysis and communication tools for coaches and players, while sportsYou, TeamReach and Heja help teams coordinate training and match schedules.

Specialist apps – Niche audiences are thriving through platforms like Fishbrain for fishing, KAYA for climbing, Slopes for skiing, Surfline for surfing, and 18Birdies or DartCounter for precision sports.

Ticketing – While many clubs are bringing ticketing in-house, third-party marketplaces like Ticketmaster, SeatGeek and StubHub remain central. MLB Ballpark and Wimbledon show how leagues are integrating ticketing with fan experiences.

Sports games – Digital gaming continues to blur with real-world fandom. EA Sports FC, Madden NFL and NBA 2K dominate across consoles and mobile, while eFootball and Football Manager offer deeper competitive or management-focused experiences.

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