Tiếng Việt 
ภาษาไทย Introduction
Reliable sports data APIs are essential for building live score websites, betting analytics tools, fantasy sports applications, and data-driven fan engagement products. In practice, however, truly free sports APIs are constrained by rate limits, delayed updates, restricted league coverage, or limited data depth—making provider selection a strategic decision.
This article reviews six widely used free or freemium sports data APIs in 2025, including iSports API, with a consistent evaluation of:
- Sports and league coverage
- Available data types and update characteristics
- Free-tier or trial limitations
- Typical developer use cases
The goal is to help developers, startups, and product teams select an API that aligns with their technical requirements and growth stage.
1. iSports API — The Choice for Betting & Historical Analysis
Overview
iSports API is a sports data provider particularly strong in Asia-Pacific markets, which founder team has over 20 years of industry experience. Its core focus is on high-reliability football and basketball data, with a strong emphasis on betting odds data, historical datasets, and structured match information.
The platform is widely used for:
- Odds comparison and aggregation
- Sports betting databases
- Match-fixing and integrity analysis
- Long-term statistical modeling and research projects
Core Sports & League Coverage
- Football (2000+ leagues & cups)
- Basketball(800+ leagues & cups)
Key Sports Data Types
- Fixtures and results
- Live scores
- Team and player statistics
- League standings
- Betting odds (e.g., Asian handicap, over/under, win probability)
- Historical football data (2000–2020)
Odds data is aggregated from multiple licensed bookmakers, including Bet365, SBObet, and 188Bet, with minute-level snapshots during matches.
Technical Details
- Authentication: API key (no credit card required)
- Free tier limit: ～200 requests/day
- Format: RESTful JSON API
- Support: 24/7 system maintenance and technical response
Sample endpoint
GET https://api.isportsapi.com/sport/football/odds/main?apikey=YOUR_API_KEY
Limitations
- Free tier is not designed for high-traffic or latency-sensitive production systems
- Sports coverage is currently focused on football and basketball
- No built-in visualization or widgets
- Live update intervals are not specified at sub-second precision
Suitable Use Cases
- Betting analytic platforms
E.g. A Southeast Asian betting startup used iSports API’s historical football data to build a match-fixing detection tool with 92% accuracy. - Historical sports data research
- Compliance and integrity monitoring
- Sports data startups requiring structured, trustworthy datasets
2. API-SPORTS — Real-Time Multi-Sport Coverage
Overview
API-SPORTS is a large-scale sports data platform offering real-time data across 30+ sports and 2,000+ competitions. It is primarily recognized for frequent live data updates and broad international league support.
Data Coverage
- Football, basketball, baseball, hockey, MMA, rugby, and more
Key Features
- Live scores and events
- Lineups, injuries, substitutions
- Player and team statistics
- Standings and head-to-head data
Free Tier Limitations
- Approximately 100 requests/day
- Advanced metrics (e.g., xG) require paid plans
- Support for free users is limited
Suitable Use Cases
- Live score and match-tracking applications
- Fantasy sports platforms in early stages
- Multi-sport dashboards with moderate traffic
3. TheSportsDB — Media-Rich Sports Metadata API
Overview
TheSportsDB is a community-maintained sports database designed primarily for content-focused or educational projects. It emphasizes media assets rather than real-time performance.
Strengths
- Coverage of 50+ sports
- Team logos, player photos, stadium images
- Historical results and event listings
- Code examples in multiple languages
Free Tier Characteristics
- Roughly 100 requests per minute
- Live data delayed by approximately 5–10 minutes
- Optional $1/month Patreon removes image watermarks
Limitations
- Not suitable for real-time applications
- Limited analytical or advanced statistical data
- Inconsistent depth for small or regional leagues
Suitable Use Cases
- Sports blogs and content platforms
- Educational or hobby projects
- Apps requiring rich visual assets
4. SportsDataIO — North American Sports Specialist
Overview
SportsDataIO focuses on professional North American leagues and offers some of the most detailed advanced metrics available via API.
Sports Coverage
- NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL
Key Capabilities
- Advanced statistics (WAR, true shooting %)
- Team and player projections
- High data accuracy with professional validation
Access Model
- 7-day free trial (credit card required)
- Paid plans starting at approximately USD 99 per month
Limitations
- Minimal international football coverage
- Not suitable for long-term use without paid subscription
- High cost relative to startup budgets
Suitable Use Cases
- U.S. sports analytics
- Media and editorial analysis
- Professional or semi-professional research
5. Sportmonks — Football & Cricket Focus
Overview
Sportmonks provides a "free forever" tier for selected football and cricket competitions, making it attractive for niche or regional platforms.
Coverage Highlights
- European mid-tier football leagues
- IPL and international cricket
Free Tier Details
- Approximately 180 requests per hour
- Fixtures, results, standings, and basic statistics
- Live data delays of up to 30 minutes
Limitations
- Top-tier leagues require paid plans
- No WebSocket or push updates
- Limited depth on the free plan
Suitable Use Cases
- Cricket fan communities
- Regional football apps
- Low-budget projects needing structured data
6. SportSRC — Frontend-Friendly Sports API
Overview
SportSRC is designed for frontend-first development, eliminating traditional API friction. It is a modern, developer-focused sports data platform that provides free, real-time sports information via a JSON-based API.
Key Advantages
- No API key required
- CORS enabled (browser-safe)
- JSON responses optimized for UI rendering
- Covers 15+ sports
Free Tier Characteristics
- Around 20 requests per second per IP
- CDN-cached responses (approximately 30 seconds)
- Ad-supported embedded components
Limitations
- No WebSocket (polling required)
- Some niche leagues unavailable
- Minor latency due to caching
Suitable Use Cases
- React / Next.js sports sites
- Programmatic SEO pages
- Lightweight live score and streaming portals
Comparative Summary
| API | Access Model | Free Tier Limit | Strength | Key Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iSports API | Free tier | ～200/day | Odds & historical data | Narrow sport focus |
| API-SPORTS | Free tier | ～100/day | Live updates, coverage | Low free quota |
| TheSportsDB | Free tier | ～100 RPM | Media assets | Delayed data |
| SportsDataIO | Trial | 7-day trial | Advanced US metrics | Paid after trial |
| Sportmonks | Free tier | ～180/hr | Football & cricket niches | Data latency |
| SportSRC | Free tier | 20 req/sec | Frontend simplicity | Cached updates |
