The 10 Best Sports Podcasts in 2026

The sports podcasts people actually listen to, ranked by audience, with what listeners praise and criticise about each one. All of them play free on The Pods.

Updated 2026-11-06 · 621 sports pods on The Pods

1. 1

   Club Shay Shay

   Shannon Sharpe · 4.3M subscribers · English

   Big sit-down interviews with athletes and entertainers.

   What listeners sayShannon Sharpe's interviews with athletes and entertainers. Known for viral moments (Katt Williams); criticised for lenient questions.

   • Big moments and emotional stories.
   • Guests from sport and culture.

   Sources →

   Watch free on The Pods →
2. 2

   New Heights

   Jason & Travis Kelce · 3.2M subscribers · English

   Two NFL brothers on football, life and family.

   What listeners sayJason and Travis Kelce talk football and life. Enormous audience; fans love the brotherly chemistry, critics say it has become more celebrity than football.

   • Warm, funny brothers who played at the top.
   • Insight into the NFL week.

   Sources →

   Watch free on The Pods →
3. 3

   The Pat McAfee Show

   Pat McAfee · 3M subscribers · English · #17 on the Apple Podcasts Sports chart

   Daily sports talk, loud and funny.

   What listeners sayDaily sports talk with Pat McAfee and crew. Loud, fun and fast; criticised for hot takes, feuds and the ESPN influence.

   • High energy; feels live.
   • Guests from across sport.

   Sources →

   Watch free on The Pods →
4. 4

   Nightcap

   Shannon Sharpe & Chad Johnson · 2.2M subscribers · English · #22 on the Apple Podcasts Sports chart

   Late-night sports talk with two NFL legends.

   What listeners sayShannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson on sport and culture. Fans enjoy the banter; it is loose and the takes are unfiltered.

   • Funny, relaxed chemistry.
   • Former players' perspective.

   Sources →

   Watch free on The Pods →
5. 5

   The Overlap

   Gary Neville · 1.8M subscribers · English

   Football (soccer) talk with big names from the game.

   What listeners sayGary Neville and ex-footballers on the Premier League and stories from their careers. Highly praised in the UK; strongest when telling stories, weakest when forcing hot takes.

   • Elite ex-players telling real stories.
   • Good production.

   Sources →

   Watch free on The Pods →
6. 6

   Gil's Arena

   Gilbert Arenas · 1.3M subscribers · English

   Unfiltered basketball talk with former players.

   What listeners sayGilbert Arenas and former NBA players on basketball. Entertaining and candid; criticised for wild claims and feuds.

   • Unfiltered NBA stories.
   • Funny panel.

   Sources →

   Watch free on The Pods →
7. 7

   The Old Man and the Three

   JJ Redick · 1.1M subscribers · English

   Deep basketball conversations with NBA players.

   What listeners sayJJ Redick's basketball interviews, before he became a coach. Praised for real basketball IQ; the show changed after his move to coaching.

   • Serious tactical talk with players.
   • Thoughtful interviewer.

   Sources →

   Watch free on The Pods →
8. 8

   Mind the Game

   LeBron James & Steve Nash · 919K subscribers · English

   Two NBA greats break down how basketball is really played.

   What listeners sayLeBron James and JJ Redick, later Steve Nash, talk basketball in depth. Praised as the most intelligent NBA show; episodes are rare.

   • Real X-and-O discussion from greats.
   • Rare access.

   Sources →

   Watch free on The Pods →
9. 9

   Podcast P

   Paul George · 800K subscribers · English

   An NBA star talks with players about life in the league.

   What listeners sayPaul George and friends on NBA life. Fans like the active-player perspective; critics note controversies about comments on teammates.

   • Current player's view.
   • Relaxed.

   Sources →

   Watch free on The Pods →
10. 10

    Bussin' With The Boys

    Will Compton & Taylor Lewan · 744K subscribers · English

    Two former NFL players, sports and good times.

    What listeners sayTwo ex-NFL players, Will Compton and Taylor Lewan, on football and fun. Popular with younger fans; crude and loose.

    • Fun locker-room energy.
    • Good player guests.

    Sources →

    Watch free on The Pods →

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