Apple Sports is a new free app for iPhones that delivers real-time scores, stats and more via a GUI designed by Apple. Available to download from the App Store in the U.S., Canada and UK, the app currently tracks Major League Soccer, Premier League soccer, the National Basketball Association, men’s and women’s NCAA basketball, and the National Hockey League, among others. More sports will be added over time, Apple said, mentioning Major League Baseball and the National Football League. The concept is designed to keep fans continuously connected to their favorite teams while driving Apple TV tune-in.

In 2022 Apple TV+ struck a 10-year global deal for Major League Soccer matches, accessible beginning last year via an add-on subscription called MLS Season Pass. Apple TV has also since 2022 been streaming one to two MLB game replays each week.

“Apple Sports includes a ‘Watch on Apple TV’ button for each game (if applicable), which kicks open the Apple TV app to the service that’s livestreaming the event and where you can subscribe, if you don’t already,” Variety explains.

In addition to game scores, Apple Sports displays live betting odds for each game (that can be toggled off, if the user prefers), in addition to  “current game clock, play-by-play information, team stats and lineup details,” reports Variety, noting “users can customize their scoreboards on Apple Sports by following their favorite teams, tournaments and leagues, and Apple Sports will sync users’ favorites with the Apple TV app and Apple News. “

Live scores can be added to the iPhone’s lock screen via the Live Activities tab. “Apple services chief Eddy Cue said the company designed the app to be fast and simple for multiple quick checks per day,” CNBC writes, adding that “it will stand out from other sports scores apps because Apple doesn’t represent a team or league and isn’t incentivized to engage users for long sessions,” according to Cue.

Apple has added sports journalism to its News app and has made sports-themed documentaries (about teams including the Golden State Warriors and the New England Patriots) part of the program lineup on Apple TV+.

“Apple, like Google and Amazon , sees major live sports events as a potential anchor for its streaming services,” CNBC reports.