ESPN Takes #1 Spot as DAZN Climbs in US Sports App Charts

Overview

As of September 21, 2026, the United States App Store for the Sports category has witnessed some notable movements in the Top Free Apps chart. This week, ESPN: Live Sports & Scores has reclaimed the top spot, showcasing its enduring popularity among sports enthusiasts.

Top Climbers

This week, several apps have made impressive gains in the chart rankings:

• IRONMAN Tracker jumped to #21 from #48, a remarkable increase of 27 positions.
• Real - Sports climbed to #28, up 19 positions from #47.
• DAZN: Stream Live Sports surged to #5, gaining 18 positions from #23.
• ESPN: Live Sports & Scores moved to #1, climbing 17 spots from #18.
• Apple Sports reached #15, up 17 positions from #32.

New Entries

Interestingly, there were no new chart entries in the Top Free Apps this week. This indicates a competitive landscape where existing apps are vying for position rather than new entrants making their mark.

Top Performers

The top performers maintaining their positions in the Top Free Apps chart are:

• ESPN: Live Sports & Scores - #1
• DraftKings: Sports & Casino - #2
• FanDuel Sportsbook & Casino - #3
• PrizePicks - Sports Picks - #4
• DAZN: Stream Live Sports - #5

Notable Drops

Several apps experienced significant drops this week:

• NFHS Network fell to #23 from #7, a decrease of 16 positions.
• Tailgate: Call the Shots dropped to #29 from #13, down 16 positions.
• GoFan: Buy Tickets to Events fell to #17 from #2, a significant drop of 15 positions.
• MaxPreps: High School Sports dropped to #20 from #9, down 11 positions.
• Hudl fell to #11 from #5, losing 6 positions.

The current dynamics of the US App Store illustrate a competitive environment where established players like ESPN and emerging favorites like IRONMAN Tracker are shaping consumer preferences. Keeping an eye on these trends can help developers strategize effectively in the evolving market of iOS apps.