If you’re one of the 127 million or so users of Android in the US, you will no doubt be aware of the huge range of apps available in the Google Play Store.
Whatever you need, there is probably an app for it – and if you are a sports fan, you are in luck, given that the category is full of tempting downloads. Narrowing down the list of apps to download, however, can be hard – and some expert guidance could be needed.
Sports fans who enjoy betting have the luxury of sites such as BestBettingSites.uk, which reviews and identifies the best Android betting apps. For those who are looking for general sports apps, however, we have taken the time to provide you with a list of what we think are your best options.
ESPN
For years, ESPN has been known as a major television-based provider of sports news and live footage of games of all varieties. And it’s still going strong, with many sports fans across the country tuning in to get the latest or to catch up on the action from their preferred sport.
But as is the case with many legacy providers in the media space, ESPN has made a successful partial transition to digital, and now offers an excellent app that complements its output on its television channels and website. The app has a number of great features and even offers the opportunity for you to design your own dream teams.
But these are just its higher-end features: it also comes with the sort of core content that you’d expect from one of America’s premier sports providers, such as lists of scores and the latest news stories on all your favorite teams.
Sport is, of course, known for its love of pundits and gossip, and the app comes with all kinds of articles on the latest transfer rumors and more. In terms of pricing, downloading the app itself is free of charge, but if you want to enjoy the ESPN+ streaming service, it will cost $4.99 per month.
Bleacher Report
If you’re looking for the chance to customize the information you receive about your preferred sports teams, the Bleacher Report app is an excellent choice.
The app comes with several opportunities to build your user experience around particular players or sides, and filter out information that you know you won’t be interested in.
The information environment of the internet is becoming increasingly dense, and the world of sports is no exception – and by choosing an app that can be customized to your own needs, you can rest assured that you’ll see only the content you want.
The Bleacher Report app has a sophisticated notification system that works on an instantaneous basis, so you won’t miss a thing when it comes to hearing the latest about your favorite team. This will be great for Android 11 users, who will have the option to prioritize these notifications over others.
Breaking headlines are a key part of the Bleacher Report app’s offer, so you won’t have to fiddle around with a Google search whenever you want to know the latest. The breadth of other content offered by the makers of this app is amazing – from video content to images, there’s something for everyone, no matter how you prefer to consume your sports content.
Yahoo! Sports
The Yahoo! Sports app is also a common choice for those who need sporting news delivered to their smartphone instantaneously. Like ESPN, it’s a portal for all things sporty – with content types on offer including news, live-streamed games, and statistics about your favorite teams.
The list of domestic sports on the list is extensive and includes everything from major disciplines, such as the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Football League (NFL), all the way down to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Major League Soccer (MLS). Whatever sport you’re into, you’re likely to find some representation of it on this app.
The app is free to download from the Google Play Store and it comes with a choice of in-app purchases. There’s plenty to get out of the free side of this application, though. It’s possible to participate in competitions with monetary prizes, for example – and it doesn’t cost anything to enter. You can do this from the comfort of the app, too, so there’s no need to switch over to a desktop or different device in order to participate.
SofaScore
The US – and North America more generally – is full of interesting and exciting sports teams and leagues. But there’s a whole world of sporting activity out there, and if you’re interested in following the likes of association football then you might find apps like ESPN a little restrictive.
Step forward SofaScore, an app that brings together information from a wide variety of leagues and teams across the globe. Whether it’s international tennis or something a little more esoteric, such as polo, SofaScore has it all.
One potential downside to SofaScore for some people, however, is that it is entirely anchored around scores and score data.
Those who want something a little more comprehensive relating to the wider sporting world, such as in-depth articles exploring the mechanics of a particular golfer’s swing or the latest odds on who will be named Most Valuable Player, may find it to be somewhat lacking. But for those who simply want to get the latest data, this app is a useful way to cut out the noise and to go straight to the sort of content that is required.
Sport is one of the key areas of focus for the Google Play Store, and it’s easy to see why. With so many different sporting disciplines, leagues, and games to keep track of, it makes sense that the sporting app market is so dense.
And as this article has shown, as a user it pays off to be judicious when it comes to downloads. Rather than surging ahead and downloading the first app you find, following the advice above is a great way to make sure you get maximum value for your time and money.
