How To Develop An App Like NFL Fantasy Football: A Complete Guide

In the competitive landscape of fantasy sports apps, it’s important to have a forte.

When you develop an app like NFL fantasy football, you are focusing on only one sport. Likewise, there is a vast scope for you to enter this growing industry.

Well, by focusing on football, you might create your niche within the fantasy sports industry.

Let’s evaluate the development process of a fantasy football app like the NFL in this blog.

About the NFL Fantasy Football App

It’s important to evaluate the complete information about the NFL fantasy app, before learning the development steps.

The official app of the NFL provides access to NFL+ where users can get details about the latest NFL news, highlights, stats, and scores. Over the app, users can stream live local and primetime regular season games along with postseason games over the phone and tablet.

NFL Fantasy Football offers a fun and easy experience for all fans to compete against family, friends, and co-workers to enhance the excitement of watching and playing football with their favorite players. It is an important type of season-long fantasy sports football app.

Under this app, the users can create their own game and a team of players from the national football league in real-time.

Want to know more about statistics and sports? The next section can be helpful.

Fantasy NFL Statistics

To create an app like NFL Fantasy Football, you should know a brief about the market.

• The craze of American football is continuously increasing. In 2023, there were 32 teams in the NFL with a total revenue of 20.2 billion U.S. dollars.

• When it comes to fantasy sports, as of May 2024, the market size of the sector was evaluated as 10.3 billion USD.
• As per the fantasy sports statistics, 23% of Americans aged 18+ participated in sports betting, and among those aged 19% of Americans were 18+. This data increased in 2022 compared to 78% in 2018.

• In 2022, there were 29.2 million people who were estimated to have participated in fantasy football, with the number of players was expected to rise from 42 million in the year 2015 to 50.4 million in the year 2022 (Among which 62.5 million belong to North America).

This data can be a reason to continue developing an app like NFL fantasy football.

If you want to explore more about “Why develop an app like NFL Fantasy Football?”

We’ll evaluate it in the next section.

Why Develop An App Like NFL Fantasy Football?

There are many reasons to continue developing an app like NFL fantasy football.

Learn about them all in this section.

► Growing Market

Based on a survey conducted in August 2022 in the United States, the most popular fantasy sports platforms were ESPN, DraftKings, and Yahoo. However, another 15% of respondents in the survey stated that they played on the Sleeper app, which comprises fantasy football, basketball, and eSports.

The growing interest in NFL fantasy sports is a major reason to continue building an app like NFL Fantasy Football.

► User Engagement

Do you know that as of 2022, there were 29.2 million players within the United States who participated in fantasy football making it the most-played U.S fantasy sport?

Well, this represents the growing number of interest of users towards fantasy football. When you develop an app like NFL fantasy football, it will lead you to enhance overall business performance.

► Global Reach

By developing an app like NFL Fantasy Football, you will be able to reach a wide audience within the domestic and international landscape. People around the world are interested and attracted to football.

The application works effectively for users within geographical locations via using localization and customization features. However, when it comes to the site, it often is not accessible via all devices and platforms.

► Enhances Brand’s Visibility

Developing an app like NFL Fantasy Football helps enhance the brand’s visibility by promoting the software to a large audience and helping them boost their overall business image.

The apps provide a chance for exposure and publicity to potential users who are playing fantasy sports apps. By enhancing the brand’s visibility, the increased exposure allows the apps as well as its user base to experience steady growth.

► Provides Competitive Advantage

If you create an app like NFL Fantasy Football, it will automatically keep you ahead of the competitors.

Here, you can stand out within the expanding market of fantasy sports apps by taking an early-mover advantage or by including a unique feature.

This will help reach out to potential users and enhance the overall app performance by incorporating essential features.

Now, are you ready to make an app like NFL Fantasy Football?

Well, before we jump into the steps to develop an app like NFL Fantasy Football, let’s learn about the working process and features below.

How Does a Fantasy Football App Like NFL Work?

To create a clone app like NFL Football, learning about the working process can be helpful to picture the type of steps needed to be implemented within the procedure.

Here are the steps to proceed with:

1: Download and Registration

The foremost step within the working process of a fantasy football app like the NFL is downloading and registration.

Here the user mentions all the details related to their name, address, location, and other important details. Within the new account, the user can get an option to customize it according to their preferences.

2: Browse Updates and Other Elements

Now, the users need to browse for further updates that are relevant to the application. The app may provide effective tools and techniques for thoroughly evaluating the real-time updates helping to make strategic decisions.

The users can examine the complete app along with its useful elements and features. Identifying all the features will be useful in making important decisions while playing fantasy football.

3: Create or Join Leagues

Users can create their own leagues by selecting their favorite team players or may join such leagues as per their preferences. Under this step, they will be asked to become a manager or commission for managing the fantasy sports teams.

When developing an app like NFL fantasy football, you should keep in mind building effective features that might simplify the process of creating and joining leagues.

4: Play and Win

Now, users can start playing their own game based on real-time leagues in the National Football League. With the use and implementation of the latest features, the users will be able to play and win according to their strategy, performance in the league, and overall gameplay.

The points earned within the game are collected and calculated at the end. These points will decide the complete game and the end score of the player in the fantasy American football app.

5: Review and Feedback

Users are asked to provide reviews and feedback about their experience with the game. These reviews in the game can be useful in enhancing the complete performance of the app along with the user experience.

Feedback within the app can be useful in creating engagement among the users. Here the users will be asked to put their opinions effectively for the other users to decide the game.

These are some of the useful steps to be considered for creating the complete app.

Now, along with the working process, another element to build an app like NFL Fantasy Football is its features.

Features to Include in an NFL Fantasy App

Identifying important fantasy sports app features will be useful in creating a dream app because, without the right elements, you cannot imagine your NFL application.

Here is the list of features that should be considered to create an app like NFL Fantasy Football.

♦ User Registration

It is the prime feature of the NFL fantasy football app, where the users will be asked to state their name and location along with preferences of the leagues. The registration process is the primary step undertaken for creating a customized profile.

♦ Real-time Match Updates

Another crucial feature of building an app like NFL Fantasy Football is real-time updates. With the implementation of the latest technologies, the users will be able to identify the present-day updates of the league.

♦ Third-Party App Integration

It assists the users in keeping engaged with real-time match updates. This feature can be achieved by implementing the third-party API for fetching essential updates and details about the timely data gathered from the sports events.

♦ Push Notifications

Under push notifications, the users will get current updates about the live performances of the users through the notifications, without even checking the scores over televisions. This will assist them in making crucial strategic decisions based on such crucial updates.

♦ Comprehensive Data Analytics

For creating an app like NFL fantasy football, the users will be required to know the current updates related to the matches. Here the users will be able to analyze the complete data by using effective tools and technologies.

♦ Match History

Users will be able to access the match history through this application. They can identify the pattern of bookings and registration. This feature will be useful in identifying the team that they have drafted or funded last.

♦ GPS Location Tracking

Implementing the GPS location tracking feature while creating an app like NFL fantasy football can be useful in identifying the location of the users and then providing them recommendations accordingly.

For example, if the user belongs to the United States, the real-time player’s recommendations will be according to the place.

♦ Dashboard

You can include the feature of a dashboard or leaderboard which can be customized based on user’s demand and as per their profile. Here, users will be able to evaluate their current rank position based on their gameplay.

♦ Gamification

Gamification in football fantasy sports acts as bait to attract and retain the users within the app. This feature involves developing a game-like experience by incorporating the elements of competition, user status, and rewards.

♦ Social Sharing

Implementing Social Media Integration within a fantasy football app like the NFL can help users share information and data via effective channels such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, and various other platforms. It will help the user to express their game to others.

These were some of the crucial features to be included while creating an app like NFL Fantasy Football.

Well, as you are ready to proceed with the steps, let’s find out “ how to create an app like NFL fantasy football.

Steps To Develop An App Like NFL Fantasy Football

How to build an app like NFL Fantasy Football?

To create a fantasy sports app, you will be required to research and implement important steps.

Well, let’s evaluate the important steps in the following section.

Step 1: Conceptualization

You should have a mobile app idea for your fantasy football business. Well, it all starts with an idea, after all.

It’s important to identify whether your fantasy football idea or building a business is sound enough to make a change.

Well, under this, step, you will plan the complete app, its aim, and target audience along with the type of development services you might require. Here you will build a blueprint for your fantasy football app business.

Step 2: Market Analysis

You should perform market research before launching your app among the competitors. This step will help identify the type of audience to reach, and how to attract them.

Under this step, it is essential to analyze the market competition and how they can attract valuable users.

Here they can conduct surveys, SWOT, or may perform successful evaluations to identify the value of your idea in the competitive market.

Step 3: Develop an MVP

Before launching the complete app in the market, you should create an MVP (minimal valuable product). It can be defined as a product with minimum features and able to attract early adopters.

It is an important step to undertake to save the complete cost of developing an app like NFL fantasy football. In this step, you are required to select the important features to build at first and then later in the app.

Well, once you launch the MVP in the market, you will be able to identify the value of your product. This will help adopt changes and feedback from the users.

Step 4: Create the Design of the App

You should consider fantasy sports app design according to the aim of developing it. Here it’s important to select the color, pattern, theme, and appearance of your app.

UI/UX app design will help you to visualize the overall app and its multiple screens. It’s the first interaction of the user with your idea, thus, this should be attractive, simple, and engaging.

Here, you need to opt for when creating a wireframe and prototype for building an app like NFL Fantasy Football.

Step 5: Select the Tech Stack

Now, it’s important to select the technology stack useful for building an app like NFL Fantasy Football. Here you will be able to implement advanced technologies for successfully creating the backend of your dream app.

Under the tech stack selection, you should identify the databases, programming languages, libraries, frameworks, and other tools for processing the backend process to make an app like NFL Fantasy Football.

The technology should be selected for handling real-time updates, especially during live sports events.

Step 6: Build the Complete App

Well, until now, you were focusing on the different parts of the app. Now, these parts should be combined to build an app like NFL Fantasy Football.

This is a critical step, where you should evaluate the platform for building it completely. Here the platform selection can be among Android, iOS, and Hybrid.

Combining all these processes together can be useful in developing an app like NFL fantasy football. Here are the overall steps that all together might lead to developing your complete fantasy football app.

Step 7: App Testing

Building an app is not sufficient until it is tested rigorously before reaching the actual users. Hence, mobile app testing comes into focus.

Here you should evaluate the bugs and errors that might cause issues for the audience later. To identify bugs and error detection, advanced tools and techniques should be used.

For fantasy football apps like the NFL, you need to evaluate whether the app is working effectively as per the standard criteria or needs an update or evaluation.

Step 8: App Launch and Maintenance

Now, if it’s ready for launch after testing the app, let’s bring it to the market. Before launching, you should evaluate the current guidelines for different platforms such as Play Store, and App Store.

Well, your task isn’t over yet, after deciding to launch, you should opt for app maintenance. You can continue with this process, you can connect with effective app maintenance services.

It is a continuous process where you need to update, add features, or conduct regular maintenance based on updated and current technologies.

These are all important steps to build an app like NFL Fantasy Football. Well, if you want to know more about the important and key technologies to be implemented, the following section can help.

Key Technologies for Developing an App like NFL Fantasy Football

What is the suitable tech stack required for creating an app like NFL Fantasy Football?

Well, every app has its own tech stack requirements. Here is a list of details to check for the technology stack useful for building an app like NFL Fantasy Football.

Well, adopting and implementing these technologies can be useful in enhancing the app development process for creating an app like NFL fantasy football.

Till now, we have discussed the concept of the NFL, reasons to develop it, steps to build it, working process, along with features, and technologies to implement.

Cost to Develop an App like Fantasy Football

How much does it cost to develop a fantasy sports app?

The average cost to build an app like NFL Fantasy Football can vary from $20,000 to $ 100,000 depending on the type of app, complexity of features, maintenance, security, and selection of app design along with technology stack.

Hence for evaluating the mobile app development cost, you should know the different types of factors and their direct impact on the total cost.

While investing within the app, you might be wondering about the valuable techniques to cover the same, right?

Well, the following section is for you.

How to Monetize a Fantasy Football App like the NFL?

What are the top app monetization strategies to implement in creating your dream software?

Here is a list of fantasy sports app monetization strategies to be considered.

➤ In-app Purchases

If you want to earn a continuous income while developing an app like NFL fantasy football, you need to add features within the app to attract potential users. Here the users can access the useful features based on their requirements.

➤ Data Monetization

Well, if you have plenty of data and a wide amount of users are connected to your business, then monetizing their data can be a valuable asset. All you need is to get consent from the users before using their data for monetizing purposes.

➤ In-App Advertisements

You can opt for in-app advertisements as an important monetization strategy. Here you need to connect with the other brands and provide them a space to promote their products and services. In exchange for the space, you can opt to earn commissions.

➤ Subscription Plans

Here the plans will be based on the user’s demand and as per their ability to pay for the same. The plans should be valuable to the users and they can be a permanent source of earning revenue for the businesses.

➤ Entry Fees and League Fees

You can charge participation fees from the users when they start entering the business. Here the fees can be considered for the leagues too.

These are the amounts that can be collected for any popular leagues which can act as a permanent source of revenue for your fantasy business.

After considering the monetization frameworks, if you are still puzzled about the steps for your custom app, connect with an experienced mobile app development company.

Why Choose Nimble AppGenie to Develop an App Like NFL Fantasy Football?

Searching for a budget-friendly company for creating an app like Fantasy Football?

Nimble AppGenie is here to help. We are the best Fantasy App Development Company, we are focused on delivering quality along with integrity in all our projects.

Well, our team is specialized enough to evaluate the market and deliver the app as per your vision. We have already done it before.

Use Cases – Fantasy App Developed by Us

The Executioner League is one of the best fantasy sports app developed by our team, which is an advanced application able to attract target users.

Conclusion

Creating an app like NFL Fantasy Football is different from other software. Thus, its development process too varies.

We can implement adequate features for enhancing the complete performance of the app such as push notifications, user registrations, real-time match updates, push notifications, social sharing, and third-party integrations.

When considering the reasons to develop an app like NFL Fantasy Football, they are user engagement, growing market, global reach, and addressing the available competition.

Other than this, the steps to develop an app like NFL Fantasy American Football start from evaluating the value of the app, and market research, and end with launch as well as maintenance.

You can consider the cost to create it after analyzing the type of factors impacting it such as the complexity of the app, design, and team of developers.

Connecting with an experienced company can be helpful here to know more updates.

FAQs

Niketan Sharma

Niketan Sharma is the CTO of Nimble AppGenie, a prominent website and mobile app development company in the USA that is delivering excellence with a commitment to boosting business growth & maximizing customer satisfaction. He is a highly motivated individual who helps SMEs and startups grow in this dynamic market with the latest technology and innovation.