ESPN: scrapers and the official API, compared

Route map

Each line is one way to get ESPN data; each stop is a field you probably need. Green lines are catalogue Actors, ranked by the published formula.

Which route for which job

The catalogue Actors for ESPN return different records. "Only this route" lists the published fields no other Actor in this table returns, which is usually what decides the choice. Cost is the published per-result rate; start events and platform usage are extra.

Field matrix: who returns what

Every tool with a published output schema, against the 7 fields most ESPN jobs need. A dot means the field name appears in the schema; rows can still leave it empty.

Field dictionary: the exact keys

The same core field has a different key in each Actor's output. Map these before you merge datasets; a dash means the published schema has no matching key. Need a field that is not listed here, such as email? Search every ESPN Actor by field.

Download this comparison: CSV · JSON (every tool with a published schema, matching keys per core field, price and score).

All 10 tools, scored

Catalogue Actors link to their detail pages; the score (0 to 100) is the published formula, identical for every tool. Other Store tools follow in their own table, for reference. Price is the published primary-result rate per 1,000 (the Free-plan rate where the price is tiered; higher Apify plans pay less); start events and platform usage are excluded.

Other Store tools, for reference

Scored with the same published formula and listed for comparison only; this site does not link or recommend them.

Official API route

Terms and personal data

ESPN uses the Disney Terms of Use, which prohibit extracting content with robots, spiders or scripts to build data sets. This is general information, not legal advice.

Read ESPN's terms. Keep to public data, do not bypass logins or access controls, and check whether personal data is involved before you collect it. The can-I-scrape checklist walks through it.

How to start

1. Open ESPN Live Scores, Schedules & Game Odds Scraper and start from its default input; its Actor page has the full example input and code.
2. Set the ESPN search, profile, listing or URL you need and a result limit; the required input is mode.
3. Run it and export the dataset as JSON, CSV or Excel, or call it from the Apify API.

Call ESPN Live Scores, Schedules & Game Odds Scraper from code

The example input uses the Actor's published defaults; set your own ESPN query before you run it. You need an Apify API token.

from apify_client import ApifyClient

client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN>")
run_input = {
    "mode": "scoreboard",
    "sport": "any",
    "league": "nba",
    "date": "20240115",
    "seasonType": "2",
    "eventIds": [],
    "status": "any",
    "includeDetails": False,
    "maxItems": 3,
    "timezone": "UTC"
}

run = client.actor("nimbryxo-studio/espn-live-scores-schedules-and-game-odds-scraper").call(run_input=run_input)
if run is None:
    raise RuntimeError("The Actor run was not found.")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

import { ApifyClient } from "apify-client";

const client = new ApifyClient({ token: "<YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN>" });
const input = {
    "mode": "scoreboard",
    "sport": "any",
    "league": "nba",
    "date": "20240115",
    "seasonType": "2",
    "eventIds": [],
    "status": "any",
    "includeDetails": false,
    "maxItems": 3,
    "timezone": "UTC"
};

const run = await client.actor("nimbryxo-studio/espn-live-scores-schedules-and-game-odds-scraper").call(input);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
console.log(items);

curl -X POST "https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/nimbryxo-studio~espn-live-scores-schedules-and-game-odds-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items"   -H "Authorization: Bearer $APIFY_TOKEN"   -H "Content-Type: application/json"   -d '{"mode":"scoreboard","sport":"any","league":"nba","date":"20240115","seasonType":"2","eventIds":[],"status":"any","includeDetails":false,"maxItems":3,"timezone":"UTC"}'

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "apify": {
      "url": "https://mcp.apify.com?tools=nimbryxo-studio/espn-live-scores-schedules-and-game-odds-scraper",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer <YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN>"
      }
    }
  }
}

Questions people ask

More on ESPN

• Topic groupFinance, markets and sports data: every website compared
• ToolWhich ESPN route fits your job?
• ToolESPN cost by Apify plan, rows and runs

Related websites

• SofaScore1 Actor
• MLB.com2 Actors
• Transfermarkt1 Actor

Sources

• ESPN Live Scores, Schedules & Game Odds Scraper on Apify Store
• ESPN Scores, Standings, Teams & News by League on Apify Store
• No public ESPN API documentation
• Official source, checked 2026-11-11
• ESPN terms