Apple is expanding its sports and subscriptions business with the introduction of Apple Sports, a new app for iPhone users. The app will provide real-time scores, stats, and other information about users’ favorite teams and leagues, as well as introduce competition to other sports score aggregators on the App Store.
Initially available in the U.S., U.K. and Canada, the app will cover MLS, NBA, NCAA, NHL, Bundesliga, LaLiga, Liga MX, Ligue 1, Premier League, and Serie A. More leagues, including MLB, NFL, NCASF, NWSL and WNBA, will be added over time for their upcoming seasons.
Image Credits: Apple
Apple Sports allows users to customize their scoreboards, follow favorite teams, leagues, and tournaments, and access various sections such as play-by-play information, team stats, lineup details, and live betting odds. Users can choose to turn off the betting odds in the settings. The app does not support live betting and the odds are provided by Draft Kings with no revenue share agreement with Apple.
Image Credits: Apple
The app is free to use and integrates with Apple TV for live sports, where users can watch live games from Apple and other apps. Apple has been building its sports business through partnerships with major leagues and offerings like the MLS Season Pass and multiview feature for sports viewing on Apple TV.
Sporting events can help Apple boost its services revenue, which hit a record of $22.3 billion in the fourth quarter. Apple may consider expanding Apple Sports with paid features in the future, but no plans have been announced yet.
Users’ sports interests are associated with their Apple ID and sync across other apps to personalize experiences in Apple TV and Apple News. Users can opt to turn off syncing, and the data may be used for personalized advertising.
Apple Sports is available in English, French, and Spanish and requires iOS 17.2 or later to download and run.
