One of the most popular ways to follow up on your favorite team is through sports applications.
Interestingly, it is estimated that the transnational sports app market size was $3.66 billion in 2022, and it is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.9% from 2023 to 2030.
This tremendous growth can be attributed to a variety of factors such as growth in video streaming, the adoption of cloud-based technology solutions, and a high demand for smartphones.
Probably the most popular sub-genre of sports apps is fantasy sports apps. For example, in India—the most populated country in the world—this division accounted for over 143 million downloads of all sports applications in 2023.
Yearly downloads of sports apps in India, Statista
It has surged ahead of the sports news category, which, until 2022, led the downloads, and even the sports betting apps.
What Is Fantasy Sports?
A fantasy sport is a type of game wherein a participant chooses a team out of players competing in a professional sporting league. Success within the fantasy game accrues from points collected based on how well a fantasy sports team’s real athletes perform in events.
Since their inception in the United States in the 1950s, the rules of play have expanded to include a range of new formats and configurations.
The two most common formats of fantasy sports in the last couple of years have been season-long fantasy sports and daily fantasy sports (DFS).
In season-long fantasy sports, the rosters are only changeable during limited time windows and through player trades. The DFS format permits players to pick new rosters each time a new game is about to begin.
What Is a Fantasy Sports App?
A fantasy sports app is a platform that takes traditional fantasy sports games and puts them online. These applications offer a 360-degree environment with a combination of competition, strategy, and official tournaments.
Market Overview of Fantasy Sports Apps
The fantasy sports market has grown very fast, particularly in the US. From 2015 through 2022, fantasy sports users increased gradually to amount to 50.4 million players in the US alone.
When looking at player demographics, the largest share of US fantasy sports players falls in the 18 to 39 age range, accounting for 71% of all participants. Data also reveals a significant gender disparity, with most fantasy sports players in the US identifying as male.
Most popular sports apps in the US as of September 2023, Statista
If looking deeper into ethnic group consumption, Latinos are most likely to participate in fantasy sports, with 52% of respondents indicating they have participated in the activity at some point. This compares to 33% for whites.
Of all fantasy sports, fantasy football is leading in the US, hosting 29.2 million players in 2022, while other fantasy sports were far behind this number.
The growth has been contributed majorly by online fantasy sports platforms such as ESPN, DraftKings, and Yahoo. In 2022, their market capitalization overstepped an unbelievable amount of $9.48 billion.
How Does a Fantasy Sports App Work?
In simpler terms, a fantasy app lets any sports enthusiast create his or her virtual teams and compete against others based on the performances of real players in real games. But how does it all work?
First, users sign up on the app, either by creating an account or using social media. When they get inside, they create a profile where they can administer their teams, join contests, or monitor scores.
Next comes building a team. Users pick athletes to form their virtual lineup within a set budget or via a draft system. Most applications also allow users to create rules on how scores and games should be gained, thus making such an experience more personal.
Players can join public leagues with strangers or create private ones to compete with friends. Leagues can be season-long for the dedicated fan or last just one game for a quick dose of excitement.
As real-life games go on, player performances are tracked in real time through live data taken from sports events. Points may be granted on certain acts such as goals scored or assists made during a game, depending on the type of game.
When the game or league is over, scores are added up, and the platform declares a winner. Depending on the app, rewards could be in the form of virtual points, prizes, or real cash. Meanwhile, the app makes money on entry fees, subscriptions for premium features, or ads.
Benefits of Developing a Fantasy Sports App
Despite the prevalence of some sports app platforms, the sector remains friendly to newcomers. For example, the number of US operators of the fantasy sports market grew from 244 in 2013 to 651 in 2023.
This growth indeed proves that there is still immense scope for new entrants to thrive, especially with advancements in Android app development services and iOS app development services.
Another benefit is the chance to earn real money. The revenue models of fantasy sports apps include entry fees for contests, subscriptions, upgrades within the app, and advertisements. And as more people play, there’s more room to make a profit.
The third compelling reason to build your own software is flexibility: you can develop an app for one sport, such as football or cricket, or you can include multiple types.
Also, you can let users play daily contests for fast fun or take them into season-long leagues for a far greater in-depth engagement. As your application increases in popularity, it becomes easy to include other new features, more sports, and game formats.
Finally, fantasy sports apps are future-proof. With AI, blockchain, VR, and other new tech-advanced capabilities built upon basic features, your application can become even more appealing and competition-resistant.
Types of Fantasy Sports Apps
In fact, despite the apparent simplicity and uniformity of fantasy sports, these apps come in different formats, suiting every taste and style of play:
Daily Fantasy Sports Apps
This type primarily targets those users who seek instant results. Instead of creating teams and competing in an entire season, users create teams that compete in contests lasting just one day or a single match.
Season-Long Fantasy Sports Apps
Season-long apps, vice versa, appeal to serious players with a taste for lasting competition. Per this type, players draft their teams at the beginning of a season and direct them over months or even weeks. These apps require strategic thought over an extended period and great knowledge of the sport.
Custom Fantasy Sports Apps
With custom apps, users can assemble leagues with their own rules, a different scoring system, and draft settings. These solutions are perfect for groups of friends or communities looking for something more specific to match their style.
Draft-Based Fantasy Sports Apps
In draft-based applications, users select players one at a time during a draft session so that no two teams have the same players. This adds a layer of strategy to it because participants need to choose players intelligently based on availability and fit for their team.
Must-Have Features in Fantasy Sports App Development
If you’re going into sports app development services, first of all, you’ll need a lineup of features to make it fun, convenient, and super engaging for your players. Here’s an approximate list of components you can pay attention to:
Live Game Stats
Whatever the type of app you choose, it should provide live updates of the game and player statistics. A user has to be on top of their game during a match—be it checking scores or swapping players.
Team Management
Team management involves picking, editing, swapping out, and administering their fantasy teams. This feature is, in essence, the heart of the entire application, as it gives users complete control and keeps them interested in the game.
Leagues: Join or Create
This feature enables users to either join public leagues and compete with other people or create private ones in which they can play with friends. Options usually range from season-long battles to quick daily contests, so there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Up-to-the-Minute Scoring and Rankings
Thanks to live scores and leaderboards during matches, users can track their progress in real time. This functionality is great primarily for maintaining excitement because users always know exactly where they are.
Pop-up Alerts
Push notifications and alerts send reminders of upcoming contest deadlines, live score updates, and any alerts regarding rewards or special promotions. All in all, they make sure that contestants are always in the know and never miss any action.
Payments
For apps with paid contests, payments must be quick and stress-free. By having credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers, players trust the mobile app with their money and are more willing to invest.
Social Features and Chat
What’s better than trash-talking your friends or asking for tips? In-app chat and social sharing make the game more interactive. Moreover, users publishing their achievements online is free marketing for your app.
Custom Leagues and Rules
People always want to try new things. Custom elements, in turn, allow users to create and tweak leagues with their own scoring system, draft rules, or player limits. This can be a major draw for players who want something really different.
Insights and Analytics
Advanced statistics, trends in performance, and matchup predictions make users feel like true professionals. It is especially useful for players who enjoy geeking out over strategy.
Multi-Sport Options
Many options are essential to appeal to a mass audience by providing games for multiple sports, whether football, cricket, basketball, or hockey. Multi-sport support will keep users busy all year round as users can jump from one sport to another depending on the season or personal interest.
Rewards and Referrals
Gamification of the fantasy sports app through loyalty points, NFTs, badges, or even in-app credits retains players’ motives for regular comebacks. Referral bonuses, on the other hand, will encourage people to invite friends, thus making your user base grow literally on its own.
Admin Panel
Behind the scenes, you will need an incredibly powerful admin panel for managing users, contests, payments, and security. A good admin panel helps you get everything right and deal with issues as soon as possible.
How to Monetize a Fantasy Sports App?
If you’re planning to create a fantasy sports application, considering monetization strategies is as important as outlining the game logic itself. The good thing? There are plenty of ways to monetize and still keep the mobile app interactive and fun.
Probably the most popular method would be through collecting entry fees for paid contests. Users pay to join daily games or season-long leagues, and you take a cut of the prize pool. It is simple, equitable, and functions well because individuals enjoy competing-especially when there is money on the line.
Another applicable model is subscriptions: giving players a chance to play with premium in-game features for either a monthly or yearly fee. Subscriptions bring in consistent money because they cater to high-loyalty players who want more from their gameplay.
Then comes in-app purchases. Bonus trades, custom avatars, and league enhancements are just a few extras users can buy to personalize their experience. Yet, those little things add up and result in significant amounts.
For creatives who love making their own leagues, you can always provide premium options. You can have them pay for jumbo leagues, custom scoring rules, or fancy themes that make their competitions stand out.
Another incredible direction to earn is through affiliate marketing. For example, recommend sports gear, tickets, or live-streaming services and earn a commission for every sale made through your app.
You can also monetize the data: fantasy sports yield a tremendous amount of very valuable statistics and insights you could license to media outlets, analytics firms, or other platforms.
During major sporting events—the Super Bowl, for example, or the FIFA World Cup—run special high-stakes contests. Players will show a very keen willingness to pay an entry fee in order to have a chance at massive prize pools at such times.
And don’t forget about merchandise. Branded T-shirts, caps, and mugs can bring in extra cash while promoting your app.
Things to Make Fantasy Sports Apps a Hit
Though the market of fantasy sports isn’t oversaturated yet, you might wonder how to make it a crowd favorite. Here are the things that will make people stick around:
- Simple and Easy to Use: Nobody likes confusing software. A minimalistic design lets players join leagues, gather teams, and govern every part of the process without any hassle. Make it easy, and you’ll see people coming back.
- Live Scores and Updates: Fantasy sports are synonymous with dynamics because it makes users truly feel like they are on the field. Plus, who doesn’t love checking the ranking as it changes during the game?
- Let People Customize: Customization makes an impact. From altering league conditions to creating unique avatars, players love adding their personal touch. It makes the game look more like theirs.
- Lots of Contest Types: Some people are in it for the long haul. Others just want a quick daily contest. Having different formats, from season-long to daily, head-to-head, or private leagues, proves everyone finds what they love.
- Easy Payments and Fast Cashouts: When money is involved, then it needs to go without complications. Ease depositing funds and withdrawing earnings. The speedier and safer it will be, the more your application will be trusted.
- AI-Powered Suggestions: AI-powered suggestions offer players personalized recommendations on everything from contests they may want to join to trade ideas, and in many ways, this acts like their own personal assistant/coach for their fantasy league.
- Access from Anywhere: Be it a phone, a tablet, or a laptop—the user can pick up exactly where they may have left off. By making your application accessible across various devices, the user will never miss a moment.
Trends in Fantasy Sports Mobile App Development
Fantasy sports will never go out of trend, but their enhancement means continuous updating so that your application could be ahead one step.
Be attentive to data. Players nowadays expect live updates of scores, statistics, and player performance during a game. The quicker the information is, the longer users stay engaged. By offering real-time updates, your mobile app will urge players to make quick decisions, which will keep them hooked.
Another exciting trend to stick to is the integration of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). With these technologies, users can view teams in a virtual arena or review the statistics of players in an interactive manner.
Besides, AR and VR can add that immersive element to fantasy sports that was earlier unimaginable, which makes the game more intriguing.
Alongside AR and VR, people use more Artificial Intelligence and machine learning to enrich user impressions. Through ML and AI development services, apps can offer personalized insights, predict player performances, and suggest optimal strategies.
An equally interesting trend concerns wearable devices. Many apps nowadays allow users to track the performance of athletes by using fitness trackers, showing real-time player statistics.
As fantasy sports continue to be more global in nature, localization of the experience becomes no less important.
You can make it more accessible and friendly for people from other regions by customizing the app to fit their local preferences, such as adding sports specific to the region, like cricket in India, or even offering options for different languages.
Last but not least is eSports. Fantasy leagues based on eSports games such as League of Legends or Fortnite let apps offer their services to the gaming crowd, generally a young and tech-savvy audience. This trend is indicative of how fantasy sports are broadening their appeal.
Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Fantasy Sports App
Developing a fantasy sports application is a fun and rewarding project in the current boom within the market. If you want to develop your own application, here are the basic steps toward making it happen.
1. Clarify Your Wants
Before moving on to actual coding, dedicate a bit of time to deciding what actually your fantasy sports mobile app is. Ask yourself the next few questions:
- Which sports are you covering? (Football, basketball, eSports, or more?)
- Will you offer season-long leagues or daily fantasy sports, or both?
- What elements will make your fantasy sports app exclusive—live stats, VR embeddings, or particular social elements?
2. Design the App
No matter how complex and branchy your software will be, the user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) should be simple and fun. The idea is to make it easy to manage the app and dive straight into the game without getting stuck.
- Go for a clean, minimalistic design where users don’t have to search for things.
- Keep fonts and buttons the same throughout the screens.
- Create easy ways for users to create teams, join leagues, and make picks.
Remember, a well-planned design will make a big difference in whether users stick around or leave disappointed.
3. Choose a Software Development Partner
The technical side of building your mobile app is complex and requires expertise. Working with a trusted software development partner, like SCAND, can make all the difference. Here’s what to focus on:
- Tech Stack: SCAND’s expertise includes tools like React Native and Flutter for frontend development, which ensure your mobile app runs evenly on both iOS and Android. For the backend, the SCAND team uses Node.js or Ruby on Rails to direct live data, accounts, and other core functions.
- Key Features: SCAND builds fantasy sports apps with the following essential features: simple Google or Facebook logins, real-time sports data, customizable leagues, secure payments through PayPal or Stripe, and social sharing for brag-worthy wins.
4. Polish Performance
Fantasy sports deal with fast-moving data. You have to update the score and player statistics live, almost in real time.
- Use APIs or web sockets that can fetch real-time records.
- Brush up your app’s performance so that it doesn’t hang or crash, even with a large number of users interacting with it simultaneously.
5. Add Gamification and Social Components
Fantasy sports are games, after all, so gamifying the participation is necessary to hold people’s interest.
- Leaderboards: Watch players’ progress and make the competition more spectacular.
- Rewards & Badges: Give players remuneration for every milestone or top performance to make them hunt for more.
- Chat and Social: Let the players talk or cheer each other on by adding group chats or social sharing tools.
6. Review the App
When the application tool is ready, it’s time to assess it and prove its impeccability.
- Functional Testing: Everything should function as demanded, from updating the scores to the administration of the accounts.
- Performance Testing: Test your software for the performance when several users are on it—it mustn’t freeze or crash.
- Usability Testing: Get feedback from real people on the convenience and user-friendliness of your app.
7. Introduce and Popularize Your Software
Now it’s time for the debut. Begin with a partial release (perhaps for colleagues or early users) to see how your tool will act. If everything is fine, submit it to the App Store and Google Play.
8. Provide 360-Degree Support and Updates
When the software is fully out, don’t forget to brush it up from time to time. Add new features, fix errors, use users’ suggestions and thoughts, and observe the performance.
Best Tech Stacks for Fantasy Sports App Development
Getting the right tech stack for your fantasy app means that you gather the tools that can work well together and govern all the actions without breaking a sweat.
Frontend Development
The frontend is what the users will be in contact with, so it must look nice and work equally well on all devices. React Native, for instance, allows developers to create apps for iOS and Android with one codebase, which tangibly saves time and effort.
If you want those soft animations and slick performance, Flutter is another great choice. With Angular, in turn, you can elaborate a clean interface for desktop users in no time.
Backend Development
The backend is the engine behind your app, directing users and fetching live updates. Here, if you aspire to process lots of live data without lagging, pay attention to Node.js.
Need something that’s quick to build and works? It’s Ruby on Rails. Want excellent security? Then Django, in Python, would help to keep all the user information and payment data safe.
Database Solutions
Fantasy sports applications are usually loaded with records, such as user profiles, live scores, and team statistics. Therefore, you need the appropriate database. MongoDB is ideal if your application updates much data, such as statistics or live scores.
PostgreSQL is quite a good option for applications that involve intertwined relationships, such as players and their ranking. Firebase Realtime Database does the job if you want your users to see the score in real time.
Security Mechanisms
Implement OAuth 2.0 to provide a secure login, using Google or Facebook for example. Use JSON Web Tokens for governing user sessions. And let’s not forget to enable SSL/TLS encryption so that all the data flowing between your mobile app and the user stays out of prying eyes.
Cloud Services
Operating a fantasy sports application demands hosting, storage, and the ability to extend as more users come in. AWS is the best choice due to its reliability and enormous toolset.
If you plan on adding AI or real-time features, then definitely Google Cloud Platform will be a great choice. In the case of enterprise-focused apps, Microsoft Azure would be an excellent match.
Factors Influencing Fantasy App Development Costs
The cost of building a mobile app generally comes down to a few criteria, such as the complexity of the app, what constituents you include, and whether it’s for iPhones, Androids, or both.
An app that only offers basic functionality such as leaderboards and match tracking would be visibly cheaper, whereas, for real-time updates, AI-driven insights, or running contests, it’s another matter altogether.
Moreover, adding live data through APIs and securing the payment and users’ information also can be pretty expensive.
It also matters where you outsource your development team: teams in Eastern Europe or Asia can provide great work at lower rates than those in the US or Western Europe. Not to mention testing, updates, and marketing costs after the launch.
This way, a simple app might cost you around $20,000, but if you’re going all-in with advanced features, you could be looking at $100,000 or more. The key is to center around what matters most now and what things can be skipped to stay within the budget.
Potential Challenges in Fantasy Sports App Development
Building a fantasy app might sound like a great idea given the opportunities the market offers, but you can face a set of hardships.
One of the biggest obstacles is up-to-the-minute data administration. Users expect to get instant, accurate updates—especially during live games—so good APIs and tech are required to make it work.
On top of that, you’re entering a pretty competitive direction with big participants like DraftKings, so your app is obliged to possess unique parts.
And let’s not forget legal issues, since rules and regulations surrounding gambling, betting, card games, and data privacy get really confusing, depending on where the launch will be.
Popular Fantasy Sports Apps Worldwide
Though the sports industry is still open to newcomers, there are some big names that have already conquered a significant market share. However, there is no need to be afraid of competition. You may follow these platforms as references to understand what you can offer to your players.
1. DraftKings
DraftKings is the industry’s undeniable leader. The company offers content for a great deal of different sports, from football and basketball to even golf and MMA events.
Whether you like your contests daily or season-long, there is always something going down. Plus, it lets people play for real money—a favorite for those looking to add some extra oomph to their games.
2. FanDuel
Another huge player and DraftKings’ rival is FanDuel. It has gotten much praise regarding its sleek interface that’s quite user-oriented. It also makes room for lots of contest variants, from head-to-head to fantasy esports.
In particular, with a sportsbook, FanDuel has attracted much attention and favor by blending its sportsbook business with the legacy of fantasy sports.
3. ESPN Fantasy Sports
ESPN’s app covers all a novice and pro might want: options to create fantasy leagues in football, basketball, baseball, and hockey. The interface is incredibly user-open, with a great deal of useful tools such as rankings and player analysis. Plus, it is free.
4. Yahoo Fantasy Sports
Yahoo Fantasy is a pretty good platform, and that is why it is so popular with many different kinds of sports leagues.
It’s relatively easy to use, keeps followers updated with live stats, and gives access to expert advice and player news all in one place. Many users like how it is absolutely right for the casual player and just correct for the serious competitor.
Conclusion: Building a Future-Ready Fantasy App
Fantasy sports apps are an exciting venture with immense potential. By incorporating innovative features and addressing user needs, you can craft a compelling, future-ready app.
FAQs
What’s the best framework for fantasy app development?
If you’re looking to build a fantasy app that works on both iOS and Android without breaking the bank, frameworks like Flutter and React Native are great options. They let you develop cross-platform apps, saving both time and money.
How to choose a reliable fantasy sports app development company?
When you’re picking a company to build your fantasy app, look for one with enough experience, a proven portfolio, and positive feedback from past clients. The right team should know their areas, understand your vision, and deliver an app that checks all your boxes.
What factors affect the cost of developing a fantasy sports app?
The cost to build a fantasy app really depends on a few factors—like the features you want, which platforms you choose, API integrations, and, of course, what the development team charges. Each of these can swing the overall price, so be sure to plan and budget carefully.
Why is SCAND the best fantasy sports app development company?
At SCAND, we bring years of experience to the table, combining tech expertise with a passion for delivering the best user experience. We work closely with you to elaborate a custom fantasy sports app that fits your goals and the wants of your users.
Can SCAND build fantasy sports apps for multiple sports?
For sure! Whether it’s football, basketball, cricket, or a mix of sports, we can develop fantasy sports apps that support a wide range of games to keep your users engaged, no matter what sport they adore.
