How Much Does it Cost to Build a Fantasy Sports App?

Sudeep Srivastava July 12, 2023

The popularity of fantasy sports has grown exponentially in recent years. Be it basketball, cricket, or hockey; it has captured the attention of millions of users worldwide, participating in online leagues and tournaments on gaming platforms like Dream 11, Yahoo Sports Fantasy, CBS Sports Fantasy, DraftKings, FanDuel etc.

It is due to the fact that these apps provide users with an exciting gaming experience, as well as the potential to win prizes. The growing demand for fantasy sports apps has created a lucrative business opportunity for businesses, making them consider how much it costs to build a fantasy sports app.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Fantasy Sports App?

When considering fantasy sports app development, the first thing that comes to mind is the cost to build a fantasy sports app. Well, finding the fantasy sports app development cost isn’t all that easy because it varies depending on various factors, including the number and complexity of features, the tech stack used, and the platform chosen. For instance, the cost to develop an android app differs from an iOS one.

These are just a few of the many factors that determine the total fantasy sports app development cost. We will discuss these factors later down the line. Meanwhile, for now, it is safe to say that the cost to build a fantasy sports app can range somewhere between $35,000-$80,000 for an MVP version and $80,000-$200,000 for an advanced version.

It is now time to look at the various factors that affect the total development cost of a fantasy sports app. Let’s get right into it:

Factors that Affect Fantasy Sports App Development Cost

Building a fantasy sports app is a complex process with hundreds of elements and many steps involved in the development process. These elements can significantly affect the cost to build a fantasy sports app. Understanding these factors can help provide perspective on how they affect the total cost to build a fantasy sports app. Let’s discuss each factor in detail below.

Factors that Affect Fantasy Sports App Development Cost

App Platform

Before you begin the development of a mobile app, make sure to decide which platform to use. Android app development and iOS app development are two of the most popular platforms for app development. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so the platform choice depends on the project’s preferences and specifications.

If the goal is to create an app that works on both platforms without developing two separate applications, cross-platform or hybrid app development is the best option. So, when determining the custom fantasy sports app development cost, this factor should be taken into consideration.

Tech Stack

There is a set of technologies integrated into an application as per the needs of the project. Metaverse, IoT, AR/VR, and AI in sports are some of the most common examples of such technologies that can highly affect an app’s performance and the total development cost.

Besides, the kind of app programming languages used also affect the total cost of development.

Tools and Technologies We Use for Fantasy Sports App Development

Type of Sports App

Another significant factor affecting the development cost is the type of fantasy sports app you want to build. The price of every sports application is different. You cannot expect your fantasy sports app development company to charge you the same for a fantasy football app development and fantasy cricket app development because the features that you want to in-build in specific sports are totally different from another.

Like these, many other sports, such as basketball, baseball, golf, soccer, rugby, etc. will have different requirements and features to in-build. So, the cost may differ according to the sports app you choose.

Also Read: How much it costs to develop a sports betting app like FanDuel

Location of Developers

The location of your chosen development company is also a significant factor that affects the total fantasy sports app development cost. For instance, app developers in countries like the US or Canada charge approx $30-$40 hourly basis whereas the developers in Asian countries in India work on around $15-$20 per hour.

App Maintenance

App maintenance is another important aspect that can have a significant impact on the cost of developing a fantasy sports app. Maintaining a fantasy sports app involves regular bug fixes, server maintenance, technical support, new feature development, and security updates. So, it is important to budget for app maintenance from the start of development to ensure that the app remains up-to-date, secure, and continues to provide a seamless user experience for its users.

App Features

It is one of the most influential factors affecting the fantasy app development cost. There are several features and functionalities that add to the complexity of app development.

Think of it like this, the more features your app has, the more complex it will be and the more development time and effort it will take; accordingly, the higher it will cost to build a fantasy sports app.

Also Read: How Mobile Apps Are Changing Sports Betting?

Must-Have Features to Include in the Fantasy Sports App

It is often said that features are the soul and driving force of a fantasy sports app. It is why when you want to build a market-leading platform, you need to fill it with features that will attract users and keep them engaged. So, it is crucial to consider the fantasy sports app features carefully. In this section, we will discuss the must-have features to include in a fantasy sports app.

Must-Have Features for the Participants

1. User Registration

The one thing that is common in almost all applications is the user registration facility. What you need to be careful of at this step is to ask for only that information that is necessary. In the case of the fantasy sports app, it is details like the personal number, email ID, and a unique username, etc.

2. Landing Page

Once the registration is complete, the users land at the landing page where they come across sports that are being played. Here the users are given a filter for searching elements according to their choice. Some of those filters include sport, date, type of matches, tournament, etc.

3. Contest Details

Here, the users are able to view details of contests they participate in the sports fantasy app. In this section, they are given multiple pieces of information that can be filtered according to – winning amount, entry fee range, winners count, contest type, winning range, and contest size, etc.

4. Join Contest

As the name goes, this feature integration is essential to make users join the contest. Here, users have to pay fixed entry fees to participate in the fantasy sports game.

5. Profile Settings

It is also an equally important feature of the sports app that gives a unique identification to gamers. It allows users to customize their profiles with their photos, names, etc. Along with the profile update, users can also check their reward points, account details, transaction history, bonus, referral, etc in this section.

Must-Have Features for the Admin

fantasy app admin features

1. Dashboard

The dashboard is where the admin can access different statistical figures around the number of played matches, the total number of players, the total amount of earnings made by the users in the app, and so on

2. User Account Manager

This feature enables users to manage the entire account. Using this feature, the users can edit, initiate, delete, or deactivate their accounts.

3. Manage Contests

This functionality allows the admin to manage and coordinate the different ongoing contests. By using this feature, the admin can easily manage the contest categories, additions, editions, deletions, or even deactivation of a contest if required.

4. View Earnings

The best part of a fantasy sports app is the earning and rewards that an individual receives. Using this functionality, the admins can access the complete earnings of individuals.

5. Report Management

The report management functionality enables the admin to access all the different report types like player ranking reports, earning reports, etc. which is very essential to keep users motivated to stay connected with the application.

These are some essential features that you must consider adding to your fantasy sports app. However, the scope of feature integration isn’t limited to just that list; you can come up with some other advanced fantasy sports app features to add to the user and admin panel.

How to Make Money With a Fantasy App?

Fantasy apps are increasingly popular among sports enthusiasts, providing a platform for them to create and manage virtual teams based on real-life players and compete against other users. While creating a fantasy app is an exciting venture, monetizing it can be challenging. It’s essential to consider various strategies to generate revenue while keeping the app user-friendly and engaging. In this regard, we’ve outlined some ways to monetize a fantasy app.

Monetization Strategy for Fantasy Sports App

Subscription Fee

You can charge users a fixed amount as a subscription fee to use your fantasy app. This fee can be annual, a one-time charge or even a recurring subscription fee charged every month or so.

Participation Fee

Some fantasy sports platforms organize contests and offer users a chance at winning NFL-sized payouts, for which they charge a participation fee. They take a portion of these cash-prize contests, which can be massive in numeric values.

Advertisement is one of the most common ways to monetize the app. You can run ads on your app and earn money based on the number of views or clicks on the ads. You can assign a place in your app for brands to advertise their business through videos, banners, and other advertising models.

Premium Features

Adding premium features such as the ability to create more teams or access advanced stats is also a significant way to generate revenue. These features can be available for purchase within the app.

Partnering with Brands

You can partner with other relative brands and offer special promotions or discounts to your users. In return, the brands will pay you a commission for every sale made through your app.

Paid Contests

You can organize paid contests within your app and charge users an entry fee. The prize money can be a portion of the entry fee or sponsored by a brand.

Data Licensing

Collecting data from your app, such as user behavior and preferences, and selling it to third-party companies for market research or advertising purposes, is also a proven strategy to monetize the fantasy sports mobile app.

You may consider any one of these or combine different strategies to maximize your revenue. Here, it’s vital to choose the most appropriate monetization strategy that works best for your app and your target audience.

Develop a Next-Gen Fantasy Sports App with Appinventiv

As technology and innovation continue to progress, fantasy sports apps are becoming a paradise destination for players, compelling them to spend more time on these digital platforms. These apps facilitate users not just to play games in thrilling languages but also to win exciting prizes. It presents an excellent opportunity for investors to capitalize on the growing demand for fantasy sports apps and reap the rewards of this lucrative industry.

So, do you also feel like playing your cards in the fantasy sports mobile app industry? You must partner with a reputed sports app development services provider like Appinventiv to help you conquer the landscape.

No matter if you need a game-specific application or want a sports platform that has various leagues from different games, our experts can help you create an innovative fantasy sports mobile app with cutting-edge technologies that provides an awesome interface and engaging experience to the users. Be it football, baseball, golf, tennis, hockey, or fantasy cricket app development, we are here to give technical realization to your vision.

Let us know your requirements, and we will tell you exactly how much it will cost to build a fantasy sports app and give your idea a working reality.

FAQs

Q. How to build a fantasy sports app?

A. Building a fantasy sports app can be a complex process, but it can also be a rewarding one. The first step is to decide what type of fantasy sports app you want to create. Do you want to focus on a specific sport, or create an app that covers multiple sports? Once you have an idea of what you want to create, you can start researching the different technologies and platforms that are available to help you build your app. You’ll also need to consider the user experience and design of your app, as well as the features and functionality you want to include.

If you need help getting started, collaborating with a reputed fantasy sports app developer is the best way to build marketing-leading applications.

Also Read: How to create a successful gaming app?

Q. How much does it cost to create a fantasy sports app?

A. Developing a fantasy sports app can be a costly endeavor, depending on the complexity of the app and the features it includes. It is difficult to give an exact cost as it depends on the specific demands of the app. The cost could also increase if the app requires a lot of custom development or integration with third-party services. Ultimately, the fantasy sports app development cost can range from $35,000-$80,000 for an MVP version and $80,000-$200,000 for an advanced version.

Q. How much time does it take to build a fantasy sports app?

A. Building a fantasy sports app can take a significant amount of time, depending on the complexity of the app. Generally, it can take anywhere from several weeks to months to build a fantasy sports app. This includes the time it takes to develop the app, the testing process, and making any necessary changes before the final launch. Also, the amount of time it takes to build a fantasy sports app can vary depending on the features and functionality that are included in the app.