Which football API should I use?
Pick what you're building. Each guide says what data you need, where to start, and gives you a prompt to paste into Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor or Lovable.
Never used an API before? Start with What's an API key? (a password your app uses to get data).
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Fantasy football app
In a fantasy football game, people pick real players and score points based on what those players do in real matches.
Good places to start: API-Football (API-Sports), Sportmonks, football-data.org, Entity Sports
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Live score app
A live score app shows today’s matches and updates the score while games are being played.
Good places to start: API-Football (API-Sports), football-data.org, Highlightly, SportDevs
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Betting odds model
An odds model or odds comparison tool collects the prices bookmakers offer on matches and compares them with your own numbers.
Good places to start: SportsGameOdds, API-Football (API-Sports), Goalserve
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Stats dashboard
A stats dashboard turns match data into charts and tables — shot maps, player comparisons, team form.
Good places to start: StatsBomb Open Data (Hudl), Sportmonks, football-data.org
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Football manager game
A football manager-style game lets players run a club: pick a squad, play a season, buy and sell players.
Good places to start: TheSportsDB, API-Football (API-Sports)
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What's an API key?
A password your app uses to get data. How to get one and keep it safe.
Recommendations are based only on public data we've checked; nobody pays for placement. Always check the provider's terms (especially for commercial use and betting).