From the blog
Tutorials, guides, and comparisons to help you build with Highlightly.
Tutorial
Build a World Cup 2026 Live Tracker
Real time scores, lineups, match events, and video highlights from a single API.
Comparison
Best Sport APIs in 2026
Compare features, pricing, and coverage across the most popular providers.
General
Dive into Football Player Stats
Explore how football player stats reveal performance insights across positions.
Frequently asked questions
What sports does the Sport API cover?
The Sport API covers football (950+ leagues), basketball (340+ leagues), hockey (170+ leagues), baseball (MLB, NCAA), American football (NFL, NCAA FBS), cricket (900+ tournaments), rugby (100+ competitions), handball (180+ leagues), volleyball (230+ leagues), plus dedicated NBA/NCAAB and NHL/NCAAH modules. Everything under a single API key.
How is the Sport API different from the individual sport APIs?
The Sport API bundles every sport into a single subscription with one API key and one shared request quota. Individual sport APIs (like the Football API or NBA API) are standalone products with separate subscriptions. If you need more than one sport, the Sport API is typically more cost-effective.
Is there a free plan?
Yes. The Basic plan is completely free with 100 requests per day across all sports. It includes live scores, highlight clips, match data, standings, lineups, and player data. No credit card required.
Do all sports share the same endpoint structure?
Yes. All sports use the same endpoint naming and JSON response format. The only difference is the sport prefix in the URL. For example /football/highlights, /basketball/highlights, /cricket/highlights all work identically.
What types of highlights are available?
Highlights include goals, cards, touchdowns, wickets, home runs, game recaps, press conferences, and interviews depending on the sport. Video sources are verified and typically added within 0 to 48 hours after a game.
What data format does the API return?
All responses are standard JSON over REST. The API works with any programming language including JavaScript, Python, PHP, Ruby, Java, C#, and Go. No proprietary SDK is required.
What is the difference between Highlightly and RapidAPI?
Both platforms offer identical API features. Highlightly provides up to 40% annual discounts and cryptocurrency payments. RapidAPI offers credit card billing and a familiar developer dashboard. Accounts are not synchronised between platforms.
