Best Sports Series of All Time : 10 Must-Watch Titles and Where to Stream Them

Sports fans know that the thrill of the game doesn’t stop when the whistle blows. The best sports TV series capture that excitement and drama, bringing locker-room stories and epic comebacks straight to your screen. From inspiring underdog tales to eye-opening documentaries, we’ve rounded up the 10 greatest sports series of all time – complete with the platforms where you can watch them. Get ready to add these to your binge list (and maybe even learn a thing or two about your favorite sports) 😊.

1. Friday Night Lights (NBC, 2006–2011) –

Streaming on Netflix

A tense sideline moment in Friday Night Lights, one of the most acclaimed sports dramas ever. The gold standard of sports dramas, Friday Night Lights follows a high school football team in small-town Texas and the coach who inspires them. It’s heartfelt, gritty, and authentic – so much so that it earned a 97% average critical score on Rotten Tomatoes . Critics and fans alike praise its realistic portrayal of community and teamwork. Originally airing on NBC, all five seasons (each filled with emotional wins and losses) are now available on Netflix for a new generation of viewers to discover. Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose!

2. Ted Lasso (Apple TV+, 2020–2023) –

Streaming on Apple TV+

It’s not often a sports comedy wins over the world, but Ted Lasso managed to do just that. Jason Sudeikis stars as the endlessly optimistic American coach who takes over a struggling English Premier League ⚽ club. The show’s wholesome humor and uplifting messages scored big: Ted Lasso set an Emmy record with 20 nominations for its first season (the most ever for a freshman comedy) and won back-to-back Outstanding Comedy Series Emmys. With a 95% Rotten Tomatoes rating and millions of devoted fans, this feel-good series proves that kindness and team spirit can triumph both on and off the field. Believe it!

3. The Last Dance (ESPN/Netflix, 2020) –

Streaming on Netflix

Michael Jordan and the 1990s Chicago Bulls are at the heart of The Last Dance, an electrifying 10-part documentary series. Even if you know how the games ended, this docuseries will give you goosebumps with its behind-the-scenes footage and interviews. It became a cultural phenomenon during 2020 – the series averaged about 5.6 million viewers on ESPN during its run and was sampled by 23.8 million viewers on Netflix in its first month . Those numbers made it one of the most-watched sports docs ever, and for good reason: The Last Dance delivers an unprecedented look at the determination and talent behind one of the greatest sports dynasties of all time. Stream it on Netflix and witness history in the making.

4. Formula 1: Drive to Survive (Netflix, 2019–present) –

Streaming on Netflix

You don’t have to be a motorsport fan to get hooked on Formula 1: Drive to Survive. This high-octane docuseries pulls back the curtain on the glamorous and cutthroat world of Formula One racing 🏎️. Each season follows drivers and teams through championship battles, fierce rivalries, and perilous tracks around the globe. The show’s gripping storytelling is often credited with turbocharging F1’s popularity – in fact, Formula One’s TV audience in the U.S. surged to over 1.2 million viewers per race in 2022, the first time it ever broke the 1 million mark . Whether you’re into racing or just love great documentaries, Drive to Survive is an adrenaline-fueled ride that’s hard to resist.

5. Cobra Kai (Netflix, 2018–present) –

Streaming on Netflix

A sequel to the Karate Kid films that no one saw coming, Cobra Kai delivers a knockout blend of nostalgia, martial arts action, and heartfelt storytelling. Set decades after the original movie, it reignites the rivalry between Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso – and introduces a new generation of karate kids. Originally launched on YouTube and later picked up by Netflix, the series became a smash hit and was even 2018’s best-reviewed TV drama on Rotten Tomatoes . (Season 1 holds a perfect 100% on the Tomatometer!) With its deft mix of humor, character development, and thrilling fight choreography, Cobra Kai wins over both old fans and newcomers. Sweep the leg and start streaming it now.

6. Last Chance U (Netflix, 2016–2020) –

Streaming on Netflix

For a dose of raw, real-life inspiration, Last Chance U is a must-watch. This Netflix original docuseries profiles junior college sports programs – from underdog football teams to a compelling basketball spin-off – where talented but troubled athletes get one final shot at making it to the big leagues. Each season is filled with intense games, academic struggles, and emotional stories of redemption. Last Chance U has earned critical acclaim for its unvarnished look at the challenges these student-athletes face. In 2020, the series even took home a Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Serialized Sports Documentary , cementing its status as one of the best sports documentaries ever made. It’s an eye-opening journey that will leave you cheering (and maybe tearing up) for these young players.

7. All or Nothing (Amazon Prime Video, 2016–present) –

Streaming on Prime Video

If you’ve ever wondered what happens in the locker room and front office of your favorite team, Amazon’s All or Nothing delivers the goods. This documentary franchise goes behind the scenes for an entire season with teams from the NFL, college football, soccer, rugby and more. The very first installment, featuring the Arizona Cardinals, was groundbreaking – it was the first show to embed with an NFL team for a full year and won a Sports Emmy for its unfiltered look at the season . Since then, All or Nothing has covered teams like the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, the University of Michigan Wolverines, the English Premier League’s Manchester City, and even the New Zealand All Blacks rugby squad. With its unprecedented access and high production quality, this series offers sports fans a candid look at victory, defeat, and everything in between.

8. Hard Knocks (HBO, 2001–present) –

Streaming on HBO Max

Long before behind-the-scenes sports docs were in vogue, Hard Knocks set the bar. This HBO series, which debuted back in 2001, follows one NFL team each preseason through training camp — from grueling practice sessions to gut-wrenching player cuts. Hard Knocks has been dubbed the “first sports-based reality series” in television history , and it remains an annual tradition for football fans eager to get an inside look at their teams. Over two decades, it has featured franchises like the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams, and many more, capturing breakout rookie moments and coach pep talks that will fire you up. If you love football 🏈, Hard Knocks is the ultimate fly-on-the-wall experience that’s both informative and entertaining.

9. Sports Night (ABC, 1998–2000) –

Available on Digital (Amazon/Apple)

Long before Ted Lasso or The West Wing, writer Aaron Sorkin gave us Sports Night – a smart, fast-paced dramedy set behind the scenes of a sports news TV show. Think of it as a blend of sports and media, following the producers and anchors who scramble to put on a nightly highlight show while juggling personal and professional dilemmas. Sports Night didn’t attract a huge audience in its late-90s network run, but it became a critical darling noted for its sharp dialogue and ensemble cast. In fact, the series holds an impressive 90% Rotten Tomatoes score even years after its finale. While it only lasted two seasons, its influence on TV storytelling looms large. You can find Sports Night for purchase on services like Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV – a worthwhile investment for those who appreciate witty writing and a behind-the-curtain look at sports broadcasting.

10. Ballers (HBO, 2015–2019) –

Streaming on HBO Max

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson brings star power to Ballers, a flashy dramedy about the business side of pro sports. Johnson plays a retired NFL player turned financial manager for current athletes, navigating the high-stakes world of contracts, endorsements, and locker-room politics in Miami. With its mix of Entourage-style lifestyle glamour and real sports issues, Ballers became a big hit for HBO – its first season averaged 1.7 million weekly viewers, making it HBO’s most-watched half-hour show in six years . The show offers a fun peek into how athletes really live when they’re off the field (cameos from NFL stars and debates about finances included). It’s an easy, bingeable watch on HBO Max that scores high on entertainment, even if you’re not a hardcore football fan.

Conclusion

From heart-pounding dramas to revealing documentaries, these sports series prove that the passion of the game translates brilliantly to television. Each show on this list offers something special – whether it’s a dose of inspiration, a behind-the-scenes scoop, or just good old-fashioned competitive spirit. So grab your favorite game-day snack and start streaming. With these best-of-the-best sports series, you’ll be cheering (or crying) along in no time.