Fantasy Sports App Development- Cost, Features, Technology

Thrill, risk, and rewards: Fantasy sports has all the ingredients that make for an irresistible digital product. The popularity of fantasy sports has surged exponentially in recent times, so much so that the industry is expected to hit $48.6 billion by 2027- a CAGR of 13.9% over the next 6 years.

If you ever wanted to build a fantasy sports app of your own, there could never have been a better time. With over three billion smartphone users worldwide, the market for fantasy sports apps is not just huge but also ever-expanding. So what does it take to build an engrossing Fantasy Sports App, what are its development costs, keep reading to find answers to all these and more. You can read a complete guide on fantasy cricket app development for upcoming word cup or IPL 2021.

Why are Fantasy Sports so Popular?

The Internet and more specifically the smartphone, have transformed the way we consume sports. Fantasy sports is another big leap forward in this transformation.

To put it simply, fantasy sports is an escape from the mundane into a digital space that promises intense competition, the thrill of victory, and the chance to connect and engage with other sports fans. The best part is that the contests require only a small investment while promising huge rewards against wins.

Must-have Features for a Fantasy Sports App

There is no point in guessing that your fantasy sports app must be mobile-friendly. A big reason for the surge in the popularity of fantasy sports has been the advancement in mobile technology. So, mobile-friendliness must be the first thing on your checklist for Fantasy Sports App features.

Other than this, there are several other hard to ignore features as well. Let’s have a look over some of the essential features for a fantasy sports app in the below section.

1. Ability to Socialize

Even if fantasy sports participants are pitted against one another, there is no good reason why they won’t prefer to engage, interact, and connect. If we look at some of the most popular online games in recent times, a common feature among all of them is that they have chatbot API integration, allowing participants to communicate with one another.

In addition to this, social media integrations must not be ignored as well. Not only does it allow participants to share their achievements and wins on their social feeds, but also creates great publicity for the app among friends and peers of participants.

2. Intelligent Analytics

Fantasy sports are a game of skills. Participants select their teams and players based on several factors such as recent form, playing conditions, previous records, etc. Hence, decisions are primarily data-driven.

So it is paramount that the app offers top of the line data analytics and stats, helping participants make an informed choice.

Moreover, the app should also offer insights on user-behavior which must include data points on most popular games, most liked features, etc. These insights play a vital role in continuous optimization for improved app likeability and usability.

3. Invite and Earn

Referral programs and bonuses not only boosts user engagement but saves a considerable investment in marketing and branding. Especially for fantasy sports apps, where the competition is getting increasingly fierce, a well-designed referral program gives the much-needed push to the virality of the app.

4. Contests For All

The games must cater to all categories of fantasy sports fans ranging from amateur to pro. Plus, participants must be able to enter any contest with just a single tap. Above all, you should ensure that the app design makes navigation through all the contests as well as other features easy and frictionless.

5. Multiple Payment Modes

Multiple payment modes are a crucial factor for increasing conversion rates. By integrating all potential ways your users might want to pay, you can gain a maximum number of participants as well as increase revenue.

6. Other Features

While the above are must-have features for any fantasy sports app, there are other features too that deserve due considerations. Some of these include: Live Game Feeds, winning and playing history, easy to use and intuitive dashboards, Home screen with the list of upcoming matches, one-tap team selection, match dates, contest selection, etc.

The Technology For Fantasy Sports App

The technology stack for fantasy sports app development will include frameworks and programming languages like Java, React Native, PHP, Flutter, C, Swift, or Kotlin.

To take care of database management needs, you will have to use any one of the popular database solutions like Cassandra, MySQL, Postgres, and MongoDB.

While the above technology stack is good enough to create a fully functional fantasy sports app, it is not a guarantee of success. To get an edge or to outshine your competitors, it is a must that you invest in sophisticated AI and ML-based algorithms.

AI and ML-based algorithms consistently analyze your app to get a better understanding of your target audience as well as identify innovative ways to boost app user base and revenue.

The Costs For Developing a Fantasy Sports App

App development costs depend on a range of factors. The primary among these is complexity and features. For a complex and feature-rich fantasy sports app. You may have to hire a big team of UX/UI designers and developers. On top of all these, you will need a project manager to ensure seamless coordination among team members and timely execution of plans.

On average, a fantasy sports app can cost anything between $25k – $80k. Unless you have an in-house team of expert and experienced technical professionals, it is always wise to outsource app development. There are a great number of app development companies that have the right people with the right set of skills and experience to build any type of fantasy sports app within the agreed timeframe.

Final Thoughts

Unlike a few years ago, today the fantasy sports market is getting overcrowded and fiercely competitive. To succeed as a fantasy sports app, it’s important that you can stand out from the competition.

Selecting the right development partner is the first and the most important step in this regard. The right development partner helps you identify the right technology that perfectly serves all your app requirements. In addition to the technology, the best fantasy app development services also offer you insights on how to increase your app revenue with Advertising, In-app purchases, Sponsorships, and Affiliate networking.

To get an approximate idea of the cost and timeline for developing your fantasy sports app, you can contact a renowned fantasy app development company out of numerous service providers available in the market.