Apple is rolling out a major update to its Sports app to prepare for the upcoming U.S. football season. The new update will bring live scores and live game information for NFL and college football games to users’ iPhone lock screens. The feature also includes support for Live Events with iOS 18 and watchOS 11. Live information for all teams and leagues in the app can now be viewed directly on the lock screen. This update is designed to help sports fans keep up-to-date with their team’s performance.
The Apple Sports app isn’t just limited to North American football, it also has European football fans in mind. Next month, UEFA Champions League and Europa League matches will also be added to the app. This move could be seen as part of Apple’s effort to appeal to a global sports audience.
Dynamic Drive Tracker and new navigation menu
For fans of professional and college football in the United States, the Apple Sports app is adding a new “dynamic drive tracker” visual that shows the current position of the ball on the field. This feature will allow users to follow the game more closely. The drive tracker will dynamically display which team has the ball, where the ball is on the field, and the current game situation. This will make the game-watching experience more interactive and will be especially beneficial during busy football seasons.
Later in the year, Apple Sports is set to add a new drop-down navigation menu to the app, which will allow users to more easily navigate between main scorecard views. An improved search feature is also in the works to make it easier to find games from leagues they don’t follow.
Apple has been steadily adding new leagues, teams, and tournaments to the Sports app since it launched in February. Major sporting events like Major League Baseball and March Madness were also integrated into the app earlier this year.
The Apple Sports app is gearing up for football season with a number of new features and improvements that will allow users to follow the games more closely. NFL and college football fans will now be able to watch their teams perform right from their lock screen, while European football enthusiasts will have access to UEFA Champions League and Europa League matches. The app’s evolving features aim to meet the expectations of sports fans and are part of Apple’s strategic moves in the sports space.