How Much Does It Cost To Build A Fantasy Sports App 2025?

With the explosive rise in online gaming and sports entertainment, fantasy sports apps have taken the market by storm. In 2025, the fantasy sports industry continues to grow at a record pace, thanks to mobile-first audiences and increasing digital participation. Whether it's cricket, football, basketball, or even niche sports, millions of users are engaging on platforms like Dream11, MyTeam11, and ESPN Fantasy. This growing trend presents a golden opportunity for startups and entrepreneurs to build fantasy sports apps tailored to their audiences.

But the most common question that arises is: How much does it cost to build a fantasy sports app? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. The fantasy sports app development cost varies depending on numerous factors like features, platform, technology stack, design, and third-party integrations. In this blog, we’ll provide a comprehensive breakdown of the development cost, key features, advanced technologies like AI & NFT integration, and how you can partner with a top fantasy sports app development company to launch a winning platform.

What is a Fantasy Sports App?

A fantasy sports app is a digital platform that allows users to create virtual teams composed of real-world athletes. Users participate in real-time matches based on the actual performance of these players in live games. The points scored by users’ fantasy teams are directly influenced by real-world data, making the experience competitive, engaging, and rewarding.

Some of the top fantasy cricket apps include Dream11, MyTeam11, and FanFight, which are especially popular in India during major cricket tournaments like the IPL and ICC events. Globally, platforms like FanDuel and ESPN Fantasy also dominate in sports such as football (soccer), basketball, and American football. These platforms support a wide range of sports, including cricket, kabaddi, and more—catering to millions of active users across different regions.

Users join contests by selecting players from upcoming matches, form teams within budget constraints, and earn points based on the performance of their chosen players. 

Leaderboards and rewards fuel user engagement, while entry fees, in-app purchases, and advertisements serve as monetization channels for businesses.

Fantasy sports apps are backed by a powerful combination of real-time APIs, intuitive user interfaces, secure payment systems, and data analytics. With the increasing popularity of sports leagues worldwide and legal approval in various countries, building a fantasy sports platform has become a profitable venture. Among the smartest approaches to entering this market quickly is leveraging the benefits of white label fantasy app solutions — which allow businesses to launch fully functional, customizable apps at a fraction of the time and cost compared to developing from scratch.

If you're planning to develop a fantasy app, understanding how much it costs to create a fantasy sports app like Dream11 and what features to include—is the first step.

Key Factors That Affect the Fantasy Sports App Development Cost

1. App Complexity

The complexity of your app significantly impacts development cost. A basic fantasy sports app with minimal features like user registration, match selection, and leaderboard tracking may cost between ₹1.5 – ₹5 Lakhs. However, a mid-level app with payment gateway integration, push notifications, and real-time score APIs can cost between ₹2.5 – ₹8 Lakhs.

For a high-end fantasy sports platform with AI-driven player recommendations, multilingual support, cryptocurrency wallet integration, and real-time video streaming, the cost may rise to ₹10 Lakhs or more. The more features and third-party APIs you integrate, the higher your cost and timeline.

2. Platform Choice (Android, iOS, Web)

Are you targeting a single platform (e.g., Android only) or planning a cross-platform release? Building a fantasy sports app for Android costs slightly less due to the open-source nature, while iOS development is stricter and costlier. Developing a web platform alongside mobile apps adds to the total budget.

• Single platform (Android/iOS): ₹1 – ₹3 Lakhs (per platform)

• Cross-platform app: ₹5 – ₹10 Lakhs

• Android + iOS + Web Admin Panel: ₹6 – ₹10+ Lakhs

Using frameworks like Flutter or React Native for cross-platform development can reduce cost and time to market.

3. Features & Functionality

The number and complexity of features you include directly influence development cost. Core features like user login, team creation, contest joining, and leaderboard are standard. However, integrating real-time scores, AI suggestions, NFT rewards, and cryptocurrency wallets will increase costs.

For example:

• Basic features: ₹2 – ₹4 Lakhs

• Mid-level features: ₹3 – ₹6 Lakhs

• Advanced features: ₹5 – ₹8 Lakhs

Each feature requires backend infrastructure, frontend logic, and testing—which increases the time and cost of development.

4. Design & User Experience

The UI/UX design of a fantasy sports app greatly impacts both user retention and overall cost. A well-crafted design ensures intuitive navigation, minimal learning curve, and better user engagement during high-pressure times like live matches.

• Basic designs with standard layouts and components are relatively affordable.

• Custom UI/UX, micro-animations, seamless onboarding, and visual engagement features like animated transitions, gamification elements, or dark mode can raise design costs significantly.

• Expect to invest ₹1 – ₹2 Lakhs depending on the complexity and originality of the UI.

An interactive and responsive UI is especially crucial in fantasy sports where users are constantly switching between screens (teams, stats, contests, rewards, etc.).

5. Development Team Location & Expertise

The geographic location and expertise of your development team also affect cost:

• India: ₹2.5 – ₹8 Lakhs
   

Hiring a skilled fantasy cricket app development company in India, like IMG Global Infotech, offers high-quality development at a more affordable rate. Outsourcing to a cost-effective region can reduce total costs by up to 50% without compromising quality—especially with teams experienced in sports APIs, fantasy logic, and real-time data sync.

6. Post-Launch Maintenance & Scalability

Once your fantasy sports app goes live, ongoing maintenance becomes a recurring cost. This includes:

• Bug fixes

• Feature upgrades

• Server scaling

• Security patches

• Compatibility updates with iOS/Android
   

A scalable architecture from the start can save significant rework later. Depending on user volume and update frequency, monthly maintenance costs may range from ₹1 – ₹3 Lakhs. Neglecting this part may result in poor user retention or platform crashes during peak match hours.

Cost Breakdown for Fantasy Sports App Development

Here’s a simplified cost breakdown by major components:

1. UI/UX Design

A good user experience can make or break your fantasy app. Custom UI/UX design with intuitive flows, engaging animations, and attractive color schemes may cost around ₹1 – ₹2 Lakhs.

Design costs include:

• Wireframes and Prototyping

• User Journey Mapping

• Branding (Logo, Themes, Icons)

2. Backend & Frontend Development

This is where the bulk of the cost lies. Backend development involves server-side logic, database management, and API integrations, while frontend handles UI interactions. Combined, this can cost anywhere between ₹2.5 – ₹6+ Lakhs.

Key backend elements:

• User management

• Real-time data syncing

• Payment systems

• Security protocols (2FA, encryption)

Frontend development varies based on animations, responsiveness, and platform.

3. API Integration (Scores, Payments, Social Login)

APIs bring your app to life. Integrating live score feeds, third-party payment gateways (PayPal, Razorpay), and social login (Google, Facebook) can cost ₹1 – ₹2 Lakhs depending on the number of integrations.

Some APIs may have monthly or per-request costs, which adds to ongoing operational expenses.

4. Admin Panel Development

An intuitive and secure admin panel allows you to manage users, leagues, earnings, and match data efficiently. Admin panel development may cost ₹1 – ₹3 Lakhs depending on its complexity and modules such as:

• User management

• Contest monitoring

• Revenue analytics

• Notification control

5. Third-Party Services & Licenses

You may need to pay for licensed data feeds (e.g., live score providers), cloud hosting (AWS, Google Cloud), and payment gateways (per transaction fee). These external services may add ₹1 – ₹2 Lakhs annually.
 

6. Quality Assurance & Testing

QA is essential to ensure bug-free experiences across devices. QA & testing costs can range from ₹50,000 – ₹1 Lakhs, covering:

• Manual and automated testing

• Load testing

• Security audits

• UI/UX consistency

7. Deployment & App Store Launch

Launching your app to the Play Store and App Store involves registration fees, compliance, testing, and publishing. This phase may cost ₹50,000 – ₹1 Lakhs, including:

• App Store/Play Store account setup

• Version control

• Beta testing & debugging

Top Features of a Successful Fantasy Sports App

1. User Registration & Authentication

Allows users to securely sign up or log in via email, phone number, or social media with OTP or multi-factor authentication.
 

2. Match & League Selection

Enables users to browse and choose from ongoing or upcoming matches, leagues, and tournaments across various sports.
 

3. Team Creation & Player Stats

Users can create their dream team within a budget and view real-time stats of players to make informed decisions.
 

4. Real-Time Score Updates

Delivers live match scores, player points, and leaderboard changes to keep users actively engaged during the game.
 

5. Contest Participation & Leaderboards

Users can join free or paid contests and view their rankings based on the real-time performance of selected players.
 

6. Payment Gateway Integration

Supports secure transactions for contest entries, withdrawals, and in-app purchases using multiple payment methods.
 

7. Push Notifications & Alerts

Keeps users updated on match schedules, team status, contest results, and promotions via timely notifications.
 

8. Reward Points & Wallet System

Provides in-app wallet management and loyalty programs that reward users with points, bonuses, or cashback.
 

How IMG Global Infotech Can Help You Build a Winning Fantasy Sports App

IMG Global Infotech is a leading fantasy sports app development company in India, specializing in delivering robust, scalable, and user-friendly platforms. Whether you're looking to build a fantasy app like Dream11 or create a custom solution for a niche sport, our team has the experience and expertise to guide you through every step of the process. If you're planning to enter the fantasy gaming industry before the next IPL season, don’t miss our Complete Guide To Build Fantasy Cricket App—designed to help you understand features, tech stack, timeline, and development cost for maximum ROI.

We provide:

• End-to-End App Development

• Cross-Platform & Native App Solutions

• Real-Time API Integration (scores, payments, login)

• AI-Powered Features and Advanced Analytics

• Post-Launch Maintenance & Feature Upgrades

Our team of dedicated fantasy app developers has helped numerous startups turn their sports business ideas into successful apps with millions of downloads. With a strong focus on user experience, performance, and security, we deliver apps that not only meet your budget but also exceed user expectations.

Ready to hire fantasy app developers or develop your fantasy sports platform? Connect with IMG Global Infotech today.

Conclusion

Fantasy sports is not just a trend—it’s a billion-dollar industry growing rapidly in 2025. With leagues becoming global and fans demanding more engaging experiences, now is the best time to invest in fantasy sports app development.

However, the cost to develop a fantasy sports app depends on several factors including your desired features, platform, integrations, and team. Whether you're planning a basic MVP or a full-fledged app like Dream11 with AI and NFT capabilities, understanding the fantasy app development pricing is crucial for budgeting.

Partnering with a trusted fantasy sports app development company like IMG Global Infotech ensures your project stays on track, on budget, and aligned with market trends. From feature planning to launch and maintenance, our team is here to support your vision.