# Realtime Sports API

> REST, WebSocket and webhook API for live scores, play-by-play, schedules and odds across NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA and soccer; free tier plus monthly plans. Data runs about 20-30 seconds behind broadcast.

Canonical page: https://sportdex.net/providers/realtime-sports-api/  
Last checked: 2026-11-03  
SportDex Score: 46/100 (rank 75; popularity 21, community n/a, transparency 80, developer experience 57)

## Facts
- Type: Sports data API
- Website: https://realtimesportsapi.com
- Documentation: https://www.realtimesportsapi.com/api-docs
- Pricing page: https://www.realtimesportsapi.com/pricing
- Sports: American football, Basketball, Baseball, Ice hockey, College sports, Football (soccer)
- Data types: Fixtures, Odds, Play-by-play, Live scores
- Protocols: REST, WebSocket, Webhooks
- Delivery: Streaming (WebSocket)
- Live / in-play: not disclosed
- Free tier: yes; 7-day trial
- Cheapest public paid plan: $29/mo
- Redistribution: Not allowed
- Authentication: api key

## Plans
| Plan | Price | Requests | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | 125 / month | 1 req/s; 1,000 calls in first month; WebSocket preview |
| Starter | $29/mo | 10,000 / month | 5 req/s, webhooks, 2 WebSocket connections |
| Growth | $49/mo | 25,000 / month | 10 req/s, 3 WebSocket connections |
| Pro | $99/mo | 50,000 / month | 20 req/s, 5 WebSocket connections |
| Scale | $299/mo | 500,000 / month | 100 req/s, 25 WebSocket connections |
| Enterprise | Contact sales | — | Over 500k calls/month or betting data; contact |

## Who it is for

Best for: Developers of score trackers, fantasy tools and dashboards who want live scores and play-by-play for US leagues and soccer through REST, WebSocket or webhooks, starting free.

Not ideal for: In-play betting or trading, since data runs 20-30 seconds behind the broadcast and there is no SLA; also anyone needing resale rights.

Use cases: Live score apps; Play-by-play trackers; Fantasy dashboards

Limitations:
- Data runs about 20-30 seconds behind broadcast
- Free plan allows 125 calls per month
- Webhooks start at the Starter plan
- Betting data and over 500k calls per month need a sales contact
- Not an official league data provider and no SLA

## Quick answers

**What is Realtime Sports API best for?** Developers of score trackers, fantasy tools and dashboards who want live scores and play-by-play for US leagues and soccer through REST, WebSocket or webhooks, starting free. Not ideal for: In-play betting or trading, since data runs 20-30 seconds behind the broadcast and there is no SLA; also anyone needing resale rights.

**How much does Realtime Sports API cost?** The cheapest public paid plan of Realtime Sports API is $29/mo. Listed plans: Starter $29/mo; Growth $49/mo; Pro $99/mo; Scale $299/mo.

**Does Realtime Sports API have a free tier?** Yes. Realtime Sports API lists a free plan called "Free" (125 requests per month).

**What does Realtime Sports API cover?** Realtime Sports API is a sports data api. Its sports: American football, Basketball, Baseball, Ice hockey, College sports, Football (soccer); data: Fixtures, Odds, Play-by-play, Live scores.

**Does Realtime Sports API have a WebSocket or streaming API?** Yes. Realtime Sports API pushes data continuously: WebSocket.

**Can I use Realtime Sports API data commercially or for betting?** According to the public terms of Realtime Sports API — redistribution: not allowed.

**What do developers say about Realtime Sports API?** New live-scores API (REST, WebSocket, webhooks) with free tier and official Python and JS clients. Only directory submissions and the vendor's own example repos turned up, with no independent user feedback. Its documented 20-30 second lag behind broadcast matters for latency-sensitive use. Older forum threads are generic requests for sports APIs.

**What are the alternatives to Realtime Sports API?** Close alternatives in the SportDex catalog: Entity Sport, Sportrix, API-Sports / API-Football, MySportsFeeds, Highlightly.

## What developers say

New live-scores API (REST, WebSocket, webhooks) with free tier and official Python and JS clients. Only directory submissions and the vendor's own example repos turned up, with no independent user feedback. Its documented 20-30 second lag behind broadcast matters for latency-sensitive use. Older forum threads are generic requests for sports APIs.

Praised for: Official clients and MCP examples

Complaints: About 20-30 seconds behind broadcast

## Method
Facts were read from the provider's own pages on 2026-11-03. Empty fields mean the provider does not say, not that a feature is missing. Method: https://sportdex.net/methodology/