How to Create a Fantasy Football App | Create a Football Game App

With five billion fans worldwide, football remains the most popular sport across the globe, according to the FIFA Vision Report 2021¹. And where there’s viewership, there’s revenue: according to Statista, the global football market is projected to reach $59.10 billion by 2025². But how can marketers push this number even higher?

The Grand View Research Sports App Market Report estimates the global sports app market at $3.66 billion in 2022, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 10.9% from 2023 to 2030³.

This growth is driven by the increasing demand for sports apps with video streaming capabilities, especially in markets like the UK, as well as the rising adoption of cloud-based technologies and smartphones worldwide.

Most football clubs — particularly the top-tier ones in Europe — already offer official mobile apps. However, these typically provide only standard features such as live scores, ticket and schedule information, stats, and media content.

Ideal football app

To engage more football fans and explore new revenue opportunities, clubs need to know how to create a football app with advanced in-app functionality to ensure a smooth user experience and the app’s success. Read on to learn what we mean by “advanced features” — and what business value they bring.

You can create a football game app with a wealth of revenue opportunities

Partnering with experts in mobile app development to create a fantasy football app for iOS or Android might seem like a costly endeavor, but it opens up numerous revenue opportunities. Here are some features to consider integrating:

Online store

Estimates indicate that revenue from mobile commerce will reach approximately $2.5 trillion in 2025, and is expected to nearly double over the following four years, accounting for 63% of total retail e-commerce, according to Statista⁴.

Why not take advantage of this growing trend and let football fans shop online for what they love — from team kits and branded gear to collectibles and biography books?

If you don’t want to lose this revenue opportunity, don’t redirect users to eBay or Amazon stores. Create your own e-shop and integrate it with the app to obtain valuable customer analytics: locations, lifestyle preferences, payment methods, and more.

With this data at your fingertips, you’ll be able to better target audiences, accurately predict buying behaviors, deliver relevant offerings, drive customer loyalty, increase response rates, attract new clients, and maximize ROI.

If you want to raise the stakes, think image recognition solution so that users could snap any item they noticed on mobile or web streaming and find it in your store.

Fan shop

Video on Demand (VoD)

Fans want to know literally everything about their favorite team. Satiate their appetite by giving access to an extensive library of video material. It could be training session footage, finished matches and highlights, press conferences, marketing campaigns, and drawing procedures.

To derive the benefits from this video venture, use various content monetization opportunities, including subscriptions (SVOD), transactions (TVOD), advertising (AVOD), and premium content.

Furthermore, don’t forget to please those who can’t take a trip to the city where the team resides and to offer virtual tours around the club stadium or museum. Take it up another notch with 360-degree videos or the club’s TV channel.

Branded games

Have you ever thought about how many people around the world play online games? According to Statista, the number of users in the global online games market is expected to reach 1.3 billion by 2029, with user penetration projected at 15.3% in 2025, rising to 16.2% by 2029⁵.

Immersing users into an outstanding gaming experience is not something a savvy marketer would pass on. Allow football fans to be closer to their favorite team with branded mobile games. Such apps will not just engage them, but also bring you additional revenue streams (via paid apps or in-app purchases). Create a football game app to tap into this massive potential.

Branded games

Bonus: Sponsorship and ad placement

As app traffic grows, so does its advertising potential. Monetize with sponsored content, in-app banners, or native ads aligned with fan interests — all of which can be tailored for higher engagement and conversions. Strategic ad partnerships with sports brands or media companies can further boost your app’s profitability.

Expanding the football experience: Diverse game types

A football app doesn’t have to limit itself to one type. By integrating features based on different formats of the sport, your app can attract a broader audience and engage users in unique ways. Let’s explore these often-overlooked types of football games:

Interactive coaching simulations
Football fans often dream of stepping into the shoes of their favorite managers. Incorporate coaching simulations where users make tactical decisions, manage budgets, and handle player transfers. Real-time challenges could include in-app leaderboards or the ability to compete against AI or friends.
Player career mode games
Give users the chance to experience the life of a footballer. These games simulate a player’s journey from amateur leagues to professional stardom, featuring decisions about training, transfers, and career milestones.
Fantasy football
Fantasy football games allow fans to create their dream teams and compete based on real-world player performances. A football app with integrated fantasy football leagues offers both entertainment and opportunities for monetization via in-app purchases, premium leagues, or ad partnerships.
Crossbar сhallenge
Casual yet addictive games like crossbar challenges or trick shots allow users to test their precision and creativity. These games appeal to all age groups and are ideal for short play sessions, making them perfect for mobile platforms.
Time-limited challenges
Create time-limited, themed games tied to real-world events like World Cup finals or team anniversaries. For example, users could solve trivia, complete tasks, or play mini-games themed around legendary matches or players.
Street football campaigns
Develop a mode inspired by the raw creativity of street football. Let users build teams, compete in unconventional environments like rooftops or urban parks, and unlock customizable characters or environments.
Goalkeeper challenge
While most football games focus on scoring goals, a goalkeeper challenge shifts the spotlight to defending them. Users can control a keeper in progressively harder scenarios, with global leaderboards and rewards for performance.
Football strategy puzzles
Introduce puzzle-based gameplay where users solve scenarios like setting up a defensive wall, predicting passes, or breaking through a formation. These games test fans’ tactical understanding and can have increasing levels of difficulty.
Augmented Reality (AR) game modes
Bring football into users’ real-world surroundings with AR — imagine penalty shootouts on the kitchen floor or dribble drills in the backyard. This immersive format adds huge value when exploring how to create football app features that stand out.
AI-enhanced opponents and coaching
Add AI-powered gameplay where opponents adapt to each user’s tactics. Perfect for elevating training modes or coaching simulations — especially if you’re planning to create a football game app that feels smart and competitive.
Voice-controlled game commands
Let users control parts of the game hands-free — from substitutions to strategy shifts — using voice commands. This functionality adds innovation and accessibility for fans of all ages.
Live match companion games
Offer prediction games synced with real-time broadcasts. Let users earn points for guessing scorers or key moments. Ideal for engagement-focused apps and worth considering if you’re researching how to create a fantasy football app with live elements.
Web3 integration and NFT collectibles
Allow users to unlock and trade verified digital items — from exclusive kits to rare player cards. These collectibles can boost retention and create a new monetization layer within your football app.
Social mini-leagues and group challenges
Encourage friendly competition with weekly challenges, private leagues, and live group chats. These features foster community — a core aspect when building apps with strong user retention.
Interactive match replays with tactical editing
Let fans replay moments, switch camera angles, and analyze tactics. A great addition for strategy-focused users and a valuable component of a next-level football experience.
Wearable device integration
Reward real-world activity by connecting the app with fitness wearables. Track movement and give perks based on football-related challenges — bridging the physical and digital game worlds.

Enhancing user engagement

There is no need to cite statistics to understand that mobile user engagement is the kernel of success. Boost fan involvement and increase viewership with the help of interactive content and striking app features.

Public commenting

TV sporting events are no longer a solo-screen experience. According to Marketing Dive, 45.7% of all sports fans use smartphones and 31.6% use tablets to access online sports content and video at least occasionally, while 23.8% use smartphones and 17.1% use tablets specifically to watch live sporting events⁶. These figures highlight the growing role of mobile devices as key platforms for sports content consumption — especially during major events like tournaments or championships.

As part of an outstanding second-screen experience, let the users of your football app not just find match- and team-related info, but also share thoughts and communicate with fellows thanks to a public commenting feature. This way, you will engage fans, save them the need to switch to their social pages or messengers, and get additional analytics for better audience targeting.

Contests

Team fans are usually very united and like-minded. But the idyll won’t be spoilt if you add a hint of competition with some type of deals: “Solve the puzzle”, “Answer the question about the last season”, “Create your story”, etc. Reward the most active fans with tickets for matches, locker room and museum visits, a free video subscription, or dinner with favorite players.

Moreover, allow fans to send videos and photo collages to the team or particular players. It may be messages of support, digital birthday cards, or congratulations on major achievements.

Online betting

Online betting remains a major source of revenue in the sports industry. According to Statista, revenue in the global sports betting market is projected to reach $77.87 billion in 2025, with the number of users expected to grow to 206.6 million by 2029⁷. With a projected annual growth rate of 5.09%, the market volume could reach nearly $95 billion by 2029, confirming sports betting as a highly lucrative and steadily growing segment.

Entertain your fans by introducing an online betting feature. Your mobile app will turn into the go-to second screen, and users will be able to predict shot, time, and match outcomes to get sponsored prizes.

Taking personalization to a new level

In 2025, when users are overwhelmed with content and options, personalization is no longer a nice-to-have — it’s expected. Your football app can offer fans that extra layer of comfort and familiarity by tailoring the experience around their interests.

User profile

Let users create personal accounts to keep track of their purchases, saved videos and photos, collected bonuses, and more. Enhance the experience by offering suggestions based on their activity: new content, upcoming matches, exclusive offers, or limited-edition items. Make sure the profile works across devices, so fans can switch from mobile to tablet or smart TV without losing their data.

User profile

Personalized news feed

Instead of static integrations with news outlets like The Guardian, El País, or L’Équipe, consider offering dynamic news feed. Use AI to curate updates based on the clubs, players, and leagues each user follows. Let them receive notifications when relevant mentions appear in digital media, and offer this as part of a premium subscription if needed.

Personalized calendar

Match schedules and draw results are essential, but fans don’t check them every day. Give users control over what they want to follow — whether it’s their favorite club, tournament, or even a specific player. Let them receive alerts when a match is about to start or when something notable happens — a red card, a player milestone, or even a draw announcement.

In 2025, fans also expect more than reminders. Add predictive alerts like: “If Team A wins today, they’ll qualify for the knockout stage.”

Smart bots

Many football apps still lack a basic search feature — don’t be one of them. Start with a simple in-app search to help users find what they’re looking for. Then take it further with an AI-powered chatbot that can answer football-related questions in seconds.

The bot could also show highlights, player profiles, or match stats — making the experience even more interactive. If you’re thinking about how to create football app features fans will keep coming back for, this is one to consider.

It’s not the end of the game

Let’s assume you’ve added the above-mentioned functionality to your app. As a result, you get a highly complicated system that has to be easy to use and function without glitches. What aspects should be taken into account to achieve success?

Excellent UX and UI. To prevent fans from deleting your app after just one use, ask your contractor to pay particular attention to UX and UI while ensuring perfect user flows.
Security. Fans might share their personal information (e.g. credit card details) while using your football app. Make sure your software vendor has the relevant security expertise to guarantee the safety of sensitive data.
Robustness. Before empowering your app with such features as live betting and chatting, make certain that it has successfully undergone load testing and can support a large number of concurrent users.

After addressing all these challenges, the cherry on the cake will come in the form of new revenue streams and enhanced fan engagement.

To find out what a perfect tennis app should look like, read our previous blog post.

Oxagile is a leading-edge mobile application development company with more than 50 successful mobile projects under its belt. Our engineers build mobile apps of any complexity: from award-winning B2C applications to heavy enterprise-grade solutions. If you have a mobile project in mind, don’t hesitate to drop us a line.