The beautiful game seems to be on 24/7—and truthfully, it pretty much is. Given the fact that there are leagues on every continent, from star-studded European powerhouses to grassroots clubs worldwide, it’s not too far-fetched to say football never stops. For true football lovers, it means they can always stay connected to the sport no matter where they are. The vehicle for that connection? Our handy portable devices that give us access to every goal, penalty, and thrilling piece of news in real time.
Whether you want to follow a high-stakes match on the go or are curious about fantasy league points mid-brunch, there’s an app for that. If you want to change the way you engage with sport, why not check out some of these platforms for every type of fan?
For Live Scores and Match Updates
The most common type of app football fans have on their smartphones is one that delivers live score updates. These apps typically allow you to track the game through instant notifications and detailed statistics, sometimes even providing audio commentary for a more immersive experience. Many app designs provide a seamless line-by-line breakdown showing who got a red or yellow card and when, who scored and when, and substitutes. Almost all of them deliver these key moments as home screen notifications, so you never miss a beat. Curious about the most popular score apps?
- LiveScore: One of the oldest score apps that provides all the core information you need to keep up with international and local matches.
- SofaScore: Ideal for those who want a high level of customisation for widgets and notifications, as well as advanced statistics like player ratings, heatmaps, and momentum graphs.
- TheScore: Complete sports hub for trending news, live scores, social chat, and an incredibly clean yet detailed UI with a personalised feed and deep team and player statistics.
For Combining Football with Online Gaming
Football has always been a riveting sport with no shortage of highs and lows, but since the sports betting boom, some prefer to enhance the experience by having something on the line. Luckily, plenty of apps out there feature fantasy football experiences and interactive challenges that bolster the game with a little extra fun. And for those who enjoy pure gaming in between kickoffs, several online casino platforms let you win cash prizes when you play football-themed games. Here are the top apps that blend football with fun and a chance to take home some winnings.
- Crazy Games: For those who want to feel the action of a match first-hand or have some fun, a quick browser game like 3D Free Kick or Soccer Random could do just the trick.
- Official Premier League App: Want to build your dream team and check out some player comparisons? The Premier League app lets you manage your fantasy team and follow all the latest updates from the league.
- UFL Fantasy Soccer: The ultimate fantasy football app that lets you draft your players and use power-ups and trade for a twist on the classic experience.
For the Latest News
Keeping up with football doesn’t just mean keeping up with what happens on the pitch. The football world is full of happenings—transfers, injuries, managerial changes, and breaking news—that you won’t want to miss. While some live score apps have a built-in news section, others are wholly dedicated to football news. Let’s go over a few options.
- The Athletic: Major sports news app featuring exclusive stories, original analysis, and a newsroom of 400 sports journalists for the best football news.
- Sky Sports: One of the UK’s most beloved sports apps, it offers breaking news and worthy highlights to keep you caught up.
For Community Discussion
It’s one thing to catch up on what’s going on in football yourself, and another to share your raw thoughts and feelings with other like-minded fans. The internet has broken down walls between supporters, letting them express themselves in conversations and debates. Social media sites and forums are often the platforms of choice, as they provide accounts to follow and subforums that make people feel like they’re a part of something bigger.
- Reddit: Reddit is best known for its subreddits, which are subforums centred on certain topics, leagues, players, teams, competitions, and more. Redditors can join these forums and post or contribute to an existing conversation.
- X: X is all about the real-time discussions. You’ll find breaking news to talk about in seconds, journalists posting their opinions, and up-to-the-minute updates.
- net: A traditional internet forum site with discussion on a variety of international and UK leagues.
For Live Streaming Football
While you can track scores, read up on the latest news, and even dabble in a virtual game yourself, there’s nothing quite like watching the match you’ve been waiting days to see. Even if you’ve got other engagements at the time, like errands or travel, live streaming apps allow you to watch whenever, wherever. A handful of services are particular favourites for broadcasting football matches:
- DAZN: DAZN doesn’t have the broadcasting rights to the UK or European leagues, but they have exclusive broadcasting rights for significant events like the FIFA Club World Cup and the National League.
- BBC iPlayer: A reliable and respected app for highlights and live matches.
- Sky Go: A must-have app if you’re a big Premier League fan and want the most coverage possible.