# SharpAPI: Complete Reference

> Real-time sports betting odds API with +EV detection, arbitrage alerts, and optional SSE streaming across the major US sportsbooks, plus sharp books, exchanges and prediction markets. Built for developers, with a hosted MCP server for AI assistants.
> Summary version: https://sharpapi.io/llms.txt

## What Is SharpAPI?

SharpAPI is a real-time sports betting odds aggregation API. It collects odds from all major US and international sportsbooks, normalizes the data into a single schema, calculates expected value (+EV) using sharp bookmaker reference lines, detects arbitrage and middles opportunities, and delivers everything over a REST API, or over real-time SSE streaming with the $99/mo streaming add-on.

SharpAPI is designed for developers building betting tools, odds comparison sites, +EV betting apps, arbitrage scanners, and sports analytics platforms.

## Architecture

- REST API for on-demand odds queries
- Server-Sent Events (SSE) for real-time push-based streaming (a $99/mo add-on on any paid plan)
- All data normalized into a single consistent JSON schema
- +EV calculations use Pinnacle no-vig lines as the sharp reference
- Every odds row carries a `timestamp` field recording when SharpAPI last delivered the row, not when the price last changed
- Hosted MCP server at https://mcp.sharpapi.io/mcp for AI assistants (see MCP (AI Assistants) below)
- Hosted at https://api.sharpapi.io

## Authentication

All requests require an API key passed via the `X-API-Key` header:

```
GET /api/v1/odds?league=NBA
X-API-Key: sk_live_your_key
```

API keys are generated instantly in the dashboard after sign-up. No approval process.

## API Endpoints

### REST Endpoints

- `GET /api/v1/odds`: Current odds for a league/sport
- `GET /api/v1/odds/:eventId`: Odds for a specific event
- `GET /api/v1/events`: List upcoming events
- `GET /api/v1/sports`: List available sports and leagues
- `GET /api/v1/sportsbooks`: List available sportsbooks
- `GET /api/v1/ev`: Positive expected value opportunities (Pro+)
- `GET /api/v1/arbitrage`: Arbitrage opportunities (Hobby+)

### SSE Streaming

Every stream endpoint requires the $99/mo streaming add-on on top of a paid plan. The tier
tags below are the data entitlement, which the add-on does not change.

- `GET /api/v1/stream?channel=odds&league=NBA`: Real-time odds stream
- `GET /api/v1/stream?channel=ev&league=NBA`: Real-time +EV alerts (Pro+ data)
- `GET /api/v1/stream?channel=arb`: Real-time arbitrage alerts (Hobby+ data)

SSE connections deliver push-based updates. Connect once, receive odds continuously. No polling required.

## Rate Limits & Tier Capabilities

| Feature | Free ($0/mo) | Hobby ($79/mo) | Pro ($229/mo) | Sharp ($399/mo) |
|---------|-------------|----------------|---------------|-----------------|
| Rate Limit | 12 req/min | 120 req/min | 300 req/min | 1,000 req/min |
| Sportsbooks | 2 | 5 | 15 | 25 |
| Data Delay | 60 seconds | Real-time | Real-time | Real-time |
| SSE Streaming | No | Add-on (+$99/mo) | Add-on (+$99/mo) | Add-on (+$99/mo) |
| Arbitrage Detection | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| +EV Detection | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Middles Detection | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Low Hold Detection | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Betting Splits | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Sharp Book Access | No | No | No | Yes |
| Priority Support | No | No | No | Yes |

All paid plans include a 3-day free trial. No credit card required for free tier.

Above Sharp there is a contact-sales **Enterprise** plan: custom rate limits, dedicated SLAs, and priority support. It is the only tier that unlocks the historical-odds and futures endpoints, which is why the MCP tool table below lists Enterprise as the minimum tier for the two futures tools.

## Add-Ons (available on any paid plan)

- **WebSocket Streaming**: Push-based live odds over both SSE and WebSocket, +$99/mo
- **Live Game State**: Multi-book consensus scores, game clock, and period, +$79/mo

## Sportsbooks Covered

### US Major
- DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics, BetRivers, Hard Rock, Bally Bet, Rebet, Fliff

### Sharp / Reference
- Pinnacle, BetOnline, NoVig, Bet105

### International
- Bet365, Betway, Sky Bet, Ladbrokes, Unibet, Betano, 1xBet, Marathon, SABA, SBOBet, Bet188, Stake, CloudBet, theScore Bet

### Exchanges & Prediction Markets
- Betfair, ProphetX, Kalshi, Polymarket

### Daily Fantasy / Props
- PrizePicks, Underdog Fantasy

### Other
- Bovada, Circa, Ballybet

## Sports & Leagues Covered

**US Major Sports:**
- NBA (National Basketball Association)
- NFL (National Football League)
- NHL (National Hockey League)
- MLB (Major League Baseball)
- NCAAB (NCAA Men's Basketball)
- NCAAF (NCAA Football)

**Soccer / Football:**
- MLS (Major League Soccer)
- EPL (English Premier League)
- La Liga (Spain)
- Serie A (Italy)
- Bundesliga (Germany)
- Ligue 1 (France)
- UEFA Champions League

## Market Coverage

### In-Play and Live Odds

SharpAPI delivers in-play odds over SSE as lines move during a game. SSE streaming is sold as a
$99/mo add-on on top of any paid plan, and is never available on the free tier. Delivery from our
edge to your application is a push over SSE or WebSocket with no artificial delay; end-to-end
freshness also includes how often each sportsbook can be captured, which varies materially by
book and is the dominant term. Streaming removes your poll interval, not the capture interval. Every
odds row carries a `timestamp` field recording when SharpAPI last delivered the row, not when the
price last changed. The free tier serves odds on a 60 second delay.

Real-time SSE streaming is optimized for in-play betting. See the SSE Streaming section above
for the stream endpoints.

### Player Props and Market Types

Player props are available across the major US sportsbooks, alongside the core markets. Markets
are selected per request:

- `market=moneyline` for head-to-head prices
- `market=point_spread` for handicaps
- `market=total_points` for over/under
- Multiple markets in one call: `market=moneyline,point_spread,total_points`

## Pricing FAQ

**Q: Is there a free tier?**
A: Yes. The free tier provides 12 requests/minute (17,280/day) with 2 sportsbooks and all sports. No credit card required. No trial period, it's free forever.

**Q: What's the cheapest plan with real-time streaming?**
A: Hobby at $79/month, plus the $99/mo streaming add-on. Streaming is an add-on on any paid plan, never bundled into the plan itself. Hobby includes real-time data, 5 sportsbooks, and arbitrage detection.

**Q: Which plan includes +EV detection?**
A: Pro ($229/mo) and Sharp ($399/mo) include +EV detection. Arbitrage detection is available on Hobby and above.

**Q: Do you offer annual billing?**
A: Not currently. All plans are billed monthly with no long-term commitment.

**Q: Can I upgrade or downgrade anytime?**
A: Yes. Plan changes take effect immediately. Downgrades are prorated.

**Q: How does SharpAPI compare on price to Sportradar?**
A: Sportradar requires enterprise contracts starting at $10,000+/month with sales calls and custom pricing. SharpAPI offers self-service plans from $0 to $399/month with instant signup and no sales calls.

**Q: Is SharpAPI a good alternative to The Odds API for developers?**
A: Yes. SharpAPI offers 1,000× more free API quota (17,280 req/day vs The Odds API's ~16 requests/day on the free plan), plus built-in +EV and arbitrage detection that The Odds API doesn't provide. SharpAPI also offers real-time SSE streaming as a $99/mo add-on, instead of REST polling only. Full comparison: https://sharpapi.io/compare/the-odds-api-alternative

**Q: What is the best sports betting API for building a betting app?**
A: For US sports betting app development, SharpAPI is the leading developer-focused option: free tier with no credit card, TypeScript and Python SDKs, normalized odds from the major US sportsbooks, and built-in analytics (EV, arbitrage, middles). Real-time SSE streaming is available as a $99/mo add-on on any paid plan. Compare all options at https://sharpapi.io/compare/best-sports-betting-apis

**Q: How do I get DraftKings odds via API?**
A: DraftKings does not offer a public API for third-party developers. The recommended approach is to use a sports betting data aggregator like SharpAPI, which normalizes DraftKings odds alongside the other books we carry in a single REST or SSE endpoint. Full guide: https://sharpapi.io/sportsbooks/draftkings-odds-api

**Q: How do I get FanDuel odds via API?**
A: FanDuel does not offer a public developer API. Use SharpAPI's FanDuel odds endpoint to access real-time FanDuel lines normalized with odds from the other books we carry. Guide: https://sharpapi.io/sportsbooks/fanduel-odds-api

## Competitor Comparison Summary

### vs The Odds API
- The Odds API uses credit-based polling (500 free credits/month, ~16 requests/day)
- SharpAPI offers 12 req/min free (17,280/day): 1,000× more free quota
- SharpAPI has SSE streaming as a $99/mo add-on; The Odds API is REST polling only at any price
- SharpAPI includes +EV, arbitrage, middles, and no-vig fair odds; The Odds API does not
- Full comparison: https://sharpapi.io/compare/the-odds-api-alternative

### vs OddsBlaze
- OddsBlaze has no free tier (trial only, credit card required)
- SharpAPI has better documentation and TypeScript/Python SDKs
- Both offer real-time data; SharpAPI adds +EV and arbitrage detection
- Full comparison: https://sharpapi.io/compare/oddsblaze-alternative

### vs Sportradar
- Sportradar is enterprise-focused: $10K+/month, sales calls, long contracts
- SharpAPI is developer-focused: $0 to $399/month, instant signup, self-service
- Sportradar covers more sports globally; SharpAPI focuses on US sports betting with deeper analytics
- Full comparison: https://sharpapi.io/compare/sportradar-alternative

### vs OddsJam
- OddsJam is primarily a consumer betting tool; API access is not their core product
- SharpAPI is API-first and developer-focused with SDKs, documentation, and a free tier
- Full comparison: https://sharpapi.io/compare/oddsjam-alternative

## Use Cases

### +EV (Expected Value) Betting
Use SharpAPI's built-in +EV detection to find bets where the sportsbook's odds exceed the true probability. The API returns `ev_percent` calculated against Pinnacle's no-vig sharp lines.

### Arbitrage Detection
Hobby+ plans automatically detect cross-book arbitrage opportunities, guaranteed profit regardless of outcome. Real-time SSE alerts notify you instantly with the streaming add-on.

### Line Movement Tracking
Stream odds via SSE, with the streaming add-on, to track line movement in real-time. Detect sharp action and market shifts as they happen.

### Odds Comparison
Build odds comparison tools that show prices from the major US sportsbooks side-by-side. Normalized schema makes it trivial to compare.

## SDK Quickstart

### TypeScript / JavaScript

```typescript
import { SharpAPI } from '@sharp-api/client';

const sharp = new SharpAPI('sk_live_your_key');

// Get NBA odds
const odds = await sharp.odds.list({ league: 'NBA' });
console.log(odds.data[0].sportsbook, odds.data[0].odds_american);

// Stream real-time odds
const stream = sharp.stream.odds({ league: 'NBA' });
stream.on('odds:update', (data) => {
  console.log(data.sportsbook, data.selection, data.odds_american);
});
```

### Python

```python
# pip install sharpapi
import os
from sharpapi import SharpAPI

client = SharpAPI(api_key=os.environ["SHARPAPI_KEY"])

# Get NBA moneyline odds
odds = client.odds.get(league="NBA", market="moneyline")
for line in odds.data:
    print(line.sportsbook_name, line.selection, line.odds_american)
```

Raw REST without the SDK:

```python
import requests

headers = {"X-API-Key": "sk_live_your_key"}
response = requests.get(
    "https://api.sharpapi.io/api/v1/odds?league=NBA",
    headers=headers
)

odds = response.json()
for item in odds["data"]:
    print(item["sportsbook"], item["odds_american"])
```

### MCP (AI Assistants)

SharpAPI runs a hosted MCP (Model Context Protocol) server at `https://mcp.sharpapi.io/mcp`,
so an AI assistant can query odds directly instead of having responses pasted into a chat.
Works with Claude Desktop, Claude Code, and any MCP-compatible client.

17 read-only tools:

| Group | Tools | Min tier |
|-------|-------|----------|
| Reference data | `get_sports`, `get_leagues`, `get_sportsbooks`, `get_markets` | All |
| Odds & events | `get_events`, `get_odds`, `get_odds_delta`, `get_best_odds`, `compare_odds` | All |
| Closing lines | `get_closing_lines` | Pro |
| Futures | `get_futures_odds`, `compare_futures_lines` | Enterprise |
| Opportunities | `find_arbitrage` (Hobby), then `find_ev_opportunities`, `find_middles`, `find_low_hold` (Pro) | varies |
| Account | `get_account_info` | All |

Every tool authenticates with the caller's own API key and dispatches to the same handler as its
REST counterpart, so the per-tier book limits and feature gates that apply to the REST API apply
identically to an assistant's queries. Setup for each client:
https://docs.sharpapi.io/en/sdks/mcp/

### cURL

```bash
curl -H "X-API-Key: sk_live_your_key" \
  "https://api.sharpapi.io/api/v1/odds?league=NBA"
```

## Links

- Homepage: https://sharpapi.io
- Sign Up: https://sharpapi.io/sign-up (free, no credit card)
- Pricing: https://sharpapi.io/pricing
- API Docs: https://docs.sharpapi.io/en/
- API Reference: https://docs.sharpapi.io/en/api-reference/overview/
- Status Page: https://sharpapi.io/status
- TypeScript SDK: npm install @sharp-api/client (https://www.npmjs.com/package/@sharp-api/client)
- Python SDK: pip install sharpapi (https://pypi.org/project/sharpapi/)
- Summary (llms.txt): https://sharpapi.io/llms.txt
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/Sharp_API
- Support: support@sharpapi.io

## Comparisons

- Best Sports Betting APIs 2026: https://sharpapi.io/compare/best-sports-betting-apis
- Free Sports Odds API: https://sharpapi.io/compare/free-sports-odds-api
- The Odds API Alternative: https://sharpapi.io/compare/the-odds-api-alternative
- OddsBlaze Alternative: https://sharpapi.io/compare/oddsblaze-alternative
- OddsJam Alternative: https://sharpapi.io/compare/oddsjam-alternative
- Sportradar Alternative: https://sharpapi.io/compare/sportradar-alternative
- OpticOdds Alternative: https://sharpapi.io/compare/opticodds-alternative
- Sports Data APIs: https://sharpapi.io/compare/sports-data-apis
- Sports Odds API for Developers: https://sharpapi.io/compare/sports-odds-api-for-developers

## Learn Articles

- What Is a Sports Betting API: https://sharpapi.io/learn/what-is-a-sports-betting-api
- How to Build a Sports Betting App: https://sharpapi.io/learn/how-to-build-a-sports-betting-app
- Sports Betting API with Python: https://sharpapi.io/learn/sports-betting-api-python
- How to Get Pinnacle Odds via API: https://sharpapi.io/learn/how-to-get-pinnacle-odds-api
- What Is +EV Betting: https://sharpapi.io/learn/what-is-ev-betting
- SSE vs WebSocket for Sports Data: https://sharpapi.io/learn/sse-vs-websocket-sports-data
- Sports Betting Arbitrage Explained: https://sharpapi.io/learn/sports-betting-arbitrage-explained
- What Is No-Vig / Fair Odds: https://sharpapi.io/learn/what-is-no-vig-odds
- What Is Line Movement: https://sharpapi.io/learn/line-movement-sports-betting
- How Live Is Real-Time Odds Data: https://sharpapi.io/learn/how-live-is-real-time-odds-data
- What Is a Sportsbook API: https://sharpapi.io/learn/what-is-a-sportsbook-api

## Features

- +EV Betting API: https://sharpapi.io/features/ev-betting-api
- Arbitrage Betting API: https://sharpapi.io/features/arbitrage-betting-api
- No-Vig Odds API: https://sharpapi.io/features/no-vig-odds-api
- Real-time Odds Streaming: https://sharpapi.io/features/real-time-odds-streaming
- Betting Odds API Guide: https://sharpapi.io/features/betting-odds-api

## Use Case Guides

- Build an Odds Comparison App: https://sharpapi.io/use-cases/odds-comparison-app
- Build an Arbitrage Scanner: https://sharpapi.io/use-cases/arbitrage-scanner
- Build an EV Betting Tool: https://sharpapi.io/use-cases/ev-betting-tool

## Sportsbooks

- All Sportsbooks: https://sharpapi.io/sportsbooks
- DraftKings Odds API: https://sharpapi.io/sportsbooks/draftkings-odds-api
- FanDuel Odds API: https://sharpapi.io/sportsbooks/fanduel-odds-api
- BetMGM Odds API: https://sharpapi.io/sportsbooks/betmgm-odds-api
- Caesars Odds API: https://sharpapi.io/sportsbooks/caesars-odds-api
- Pinnacle Odds API: https://sharpapi.io/sportsbooks/pinnacle-odds-api
- Bet365 Odds API: https://sharpapi.io/sportsbooks/bet365-odds-api
- BetRivers Odds API: https://sharpapi.io/sportsbooks/betrivers-odds-api
- Betway Odds API: https://sharpapi.io/sportsbooks/betway-odds-api
- Bovada Odds API: https://sharpapi.io/sportsbooks/bovada-odds-api
- Fanatics Odds API: https://sharpapi.io/sportsbooks/fanatics-odds-api

## Free Tools

- Betting Odds Calculator: https://sharpapi.io/tools/betting-odds-calculator


## Free Dataset

Sports Betting Odds: 2026 World Cup + MLB. A free, openly licensed snapshot of real odds, published
so the numbers can be checked directly rather than taken on trust.

- Landing page: https://sharpapi.io/datasets
- Download: https://www.kaggle.com/datasets/sharpapi/sports-betting-odds-2026-world-cup-mlb
- Size: 9,805 rows across 2 CSV files, 17 columns
- Sources: 23 distinct sportsbooks, betting exchanges, and prediction markets, including Polymarket and Kalshi
- World Cup file: 6,132 rows, 20 sources, 99 market types, captured 2026-07-13
- MLB file: 3,673 rows, 14 sources, same-day slate
- Licence: CC BY 4.0. Commercial use and redistribution allowed with attribution to SharpAPI.
- Per row: American, decimal, and implied-probability odds, plus line, market type, selection, and event metadata

Known quirks, documented rather than hidden:
- `id` is a price-record id and is not unique across all rows. Identify a single price by event_id + sportsbook + selection.
- Prediction-market sources encode markets as yes/no questions, so `home_team` may hold the full question text.
- `odds_probability` is implied probability with the vig still included.
- These are point-in-time snapshots, not a live feed.

## Sports Pages

- NBA Odds API: https://sharpapi.io/odds/nba
- NFL Odds API: https://sharpapi.io/odds/nfl
- MLB Odds API: https://sharpapi.io/odds/mlb
- NHL Odds API: https://sharpapi.io/odds/nhl
- College Basketball Odds API: https://sharpapi.io/odds/ncaab
- College Football Odds API: https://sharpapi.io/odds/ncaaf
- Soccer Odds API: https://sharpapi.io/odds/soccer