Fantasy sports is a game where players create virtual teams of real-life players and compete based on those players’ performance in real-world matches. This game is often played online. Fantasy games are very popular in the Cricket industry. 

In Fantasy cricket  each player can make a team of 11 players. As the game starts, the users get points for the fantasy teams they have selected based on their performance in the real match. The points are given on the basis of runs, wickets and catches, among others. The fantasy sports industry is expected to grow in India, with some predicting a 30% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) until 2027.

Fantasy sports apps like Dream11 have changed the way sports fans interact with their favorite games. These apps allow users to create virtual teams and compete in fantasy leagues, and win rewards based on the actual performance of players in real-life matches 

What is Dream11?

Dream11 is a fantasy sports platform that lets the users create virtual teams of real-life players to compete in contests for a variety of sports like Cricket, Football, Kabaddi, Basketball, Hockey, among others 

It lets users create a team of real players from an upcoming match. Once the match begins, the performance of the real players in the live game directly influences the points scored by the users’ fantasy teams. Once a match is live, you can follow your contests leaderboards to see how you’re performing against your competition.

Dream11 was one of the first platforms in India to offer fantasy cricket, and it became a game-changer by combining sports enthusiasm with rewards. Today, it has millions of users and partnerships with major sports leagues.

How Does the Dream11 App Work?

The Dream11 app works by allowing users to participate in fantasy leagues. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Registration and Login:

New users sign up on the app through their mobile number, email, or social media accounts. Old users can log in using their credentials.

Step 2: Choosing a Match:

Once logged in, users select a match from the upcoming real-life sports events available on the platform.

Step 3: Creating a Fantasy Team: 

Users pick players to form a team of 11 (in the case of cricket) from both sides playing the match. Each player is assigned points based on their past performance, and users have to build a team within a set budget.

Step 4. Participating in Contests: 

After forming a team, users can enter various contests, which have different entry fees and prizes. These contests can be public, where users compete with strangers, or private, where they play against friends.

Step 5.Earning Points: 

As the real match unrolls, users earn points based on the performance of their selected players. The final rankings and rewards are based on the total points scored by the team.

Step 6. Winning and Withdrawing:

Depending on their team’s performance, users can win cash prizes. They can withdraw their winnings to their bank accounts after KYC verification.

Key Features of an App like Dream11

To develop an app like Dream11, certain key features must be included to ensure it functions smoothly and offers a user-friendly experience:

User Registration & Profile Management: 

It should offer easy options for sign-up using email, mobile number, or social media accounts. It should offer an easy sign-up process and profile customizing. Users should be able to manage their profile information, view past contests, and track their winnings.

Fantasy Sports Selection: 

There should be a variety of sports to choose from, such as cricket, football, basketball, etc. Users can create teams by selecting real players within their budget.

Contests & Leagues: 

There should be various types of Public, private, and custom leagues with different entry fees and prizes for the users.

Live Match Tracking: 

It offers Real-time tracking and display of points as the live match progresses, with updated player statistics

Security Features:

Enforce Robust measures to ensure the protection of user data and secure transactions to join contests and withdraw their winnings using payment gateways securely and without any difficulty.

Push Notifications: 

The app should send alert Notifications to inform users about upcoming matches, contest results, and promotions, so they can make informed decisions.

Referral programs:

A referral program where users can earn bonuses for inviting friends to join the platform and get incentives for the same.

How to Develop an App like Dream11?

To Develop an app like Dream11 it involves several key steps, including planning, designing, and implementing the necessary features:

Step 1: Research and Planning

Before development begins, thorough research is needed to understand your target audience, competition, and specific goals. It should involve identifying the core features of the app, sports offerings, and deciding on a business model.

Step 2: Design the User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX)

The UI and UX are crucial for an app like Dream11, as users need an intuitive interface that’s easy to navigate. Focus on designing an engaging, simple, user friendly and responsive interface that works seamlessly across all devices.

Step 3: Backend Development

The backend is the engine of the app. It handles the database, server, APIs, and all the background processes that users don’t see. For an app like Dream11, the backend should be robust enough to manage real-time data from live matches, user interactions, payments, and notifications.

Step 4: Frontend Development

The frontend involves creating the parts of the app that users interact with. This includes the user registration screen, team selection interface, contest participation, and real-time match tracking.

Step 5: Integration of APIs

To develop a fantasy sports app, you’ll need data from real-life sports events, such as player statistics, analysis and match schedules. APIs are also necessary for payment gateways, user authentication, and notifications.

Step 6: Testing

Once the app is built, thorough testing is essential to identify and fix bugs. Ensure the app performs well under heavy load, especially during popular sports events when user activity peaks and gather feedback from beta users.

Step 7: Launch and Maintenance

After the app is tested and ready to go, it can be launched on app stores. Post-launch maintenance and updates necessary to ensure smooth function of the app.

Technology Stack Needed to Develop the App

To build a high-performance and scalable fantasy sports app like Dream11, here’s the recommended technology stack:

Frontend: 

  – HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript

  – Frameworks like React or Angular for web apps

  – React Native or Flutter for mobile apps (cross-platform development)

Backend:

  – Node.js, Python (Django/Flask), or Java (Spring Boot)

  – Real-time database management using Firebase or MongoDB

  – RESTful APIs or GraphQL for data communication

Database

  – MongoDB or MySQL 

Payment Gateway

  – Integration with secure payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, Razorpay, or Paytm

Third-party APIs:

  – Sports data APIs for live match data, player stats, and scores

  – Push notification services like Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) or OneSignal

Hosting and Servers:

  – AWS (Amazon Web Services), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud for hosting and scalable server infrastructure

Security:

  – SSL certificates, data encryption, and robust authentication protocols to ensure user data is protected

How Much Does It Cost to Develop an App like Dream11?

The cost of developing a fantasy sports app like Dream11 can vary depending on various factors, such as the features included, the complexity of the app, the development team’s location, and the technology stack used. On average, the cost to develop such an app can range from $30,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on the scale and customization.

Here’s a rough breakdown of costs:

UI/UX Design: $5,000 – $15,000

Backend Development: $10,000 – $30,000

Frontend Development: $15,000 – $25,000

API Integration: $5,000 – $10,000

Testing and Deployment: $5,000 – $10,000

Additional costs can also include ongoing maintenance, marketing, and server hosting fees.

How Much Time Does It Take to Develop an App like Dream11?

The time required to develop a fantasy sports app like Dream11 depends on the complexity of the app and the features being implemented. On average, it can take anywhere from 4 to 9 months for full development, including design, frontend and backend development, API integration, testing, and deployment.

A more basic version of the app with less features may take less time, while a fully-featured app with functionalities, like real-time data updates and multiple sports, could take closer to a year.

How Does Entity Sport Help in Powering Data?

Entity Sports is a leading sports data provider that offers real-time data for various sports, including cricket, football, basketball, and more. For a fantasy sports app like Dream11, accurate and up-to-the-second data is crucial for tracking live matches, player performances, and updating users’ fantasy points in real time. With the Cricket API, Football API, and Basketball API, Entity Sports ensures seamless data delivery, enabling users to stay updated on every aspect of their fantasy leagues, from live scores to player statistics and match insights.

Data Collection and Analysis: 

Entity Sport aggregates data from various sources, including player statistics, match performance, and historical records. This comprehensive data collection allows for in-depth analysis.

Real-Time Insights: 

The platform provides real-time data processing, enabling users to access live statistics and updates during matches. This immediacy boosts user engagement and decision-making.

Customizable Dashboards: 

Entity Sport offers customizable dashboards that present data in visually appealing formats, making it easier for users to interpret trends and insights relevant to their needs.

Predictive Analytics: 

Using advanced algorithms, Entity Sport can forecast player performances and match outcomes, providing valuable insights for fantasy sports enthusiasts and teams.

User Experience Enhancement: 

By leveraging data effectively, the platform improves user engagement through personalized content and recommendations which are based on user preferences and behaviors.

By integrating Entity Sports API, you can ensure your app delivers accurate, real-time information to users, enhancing their experience and improving app engagement.

Conclusion

A cricket fantasy platform is an interactive online space where fans can create virtual teams composed of real-life players participating in ongoing cricket matches

Building a fantasy sports app like Dream11 involves careful planning, selecting the right technology stack, and incorporating essential features that users expect. From team selection to real-time scoring and secure payments, every detail must be carefully executed to provide a smooth and seamless user experience.