What is the Cost to Build an App like DraftKings?

Picture this: you're sitting on your couch, watching Sunday Night Football, and suddenly you remember you forgot to set your DraftKings lineup. 

Sound familiar?

Fantasy sports apps have completely transformed how millions of people engage with sports. What started as friendly office pools has exploded into a multi-billion dollar industry that shows no signs of slowing down. 

And DraftKings? They're leading the charge.

If you've been thinking about building your own fantasy sports platform, you're probably wondering about the investment required. 

The truth is, the cost to develop an app like DraftKings isn't just a single number; it's influenced by dozens of factors that we'll explore in depth throughout this guide.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down everything you need to know about creating a fantasy sports app that can compete in today's market. 

We'll cover the cost to create a fantasy sports app like DraftKings, timelines, monetization strategies, and the technical considerations that separate successful apps from failed attempts. 

Let's dive in.

Overview of DraftKings

Before we talk numbers, let's understand what makes DraftKings tick.

Founded in 2012 by Jason Robins, Matt Kalish, and Paul Liberman, DraftKings started as a daily fantasy sports platform and has grown into a sports betting powerhouse. 

Today, it serves millions of users across multiple states and countries, with a market capitalization in the billions.

But what exactly does DraftKings offer?

At its core, DraftKings provides users with the ability to create fantasy sports lineups for various sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, soccer, MMA, golf, NASCAR, and more. 

Users compete against each other for real money prizes based on how their chosen players perform in actual games. 

The beauty of daily fantasy sports? You're not locked into season-long commitments. 

You can play one day, skip the next, and jump back in whenever you want. This flexibility is what made DraftKings revolutionary when it launched.

The platform combines several key features that work together seamlessly:

Step 1: Users can join short-term fantasy contests without season-long commitments, requiring flexible contest logic that directly impacts the cost to create a fantasy sports app like DraftKings.

Step 2: Player performance, scores, and rankings update instantly during matches using live data feeds and real-time processing systems.

Step 3: The platform supports head-to-head games, leagues, and large tournaments, each needing different rules, payouts, and backend logic.

Step 4: Deposits, withdrawals, and prize distributions are handled through secure payment gateways with fraud protection and compliance layers.

Step 5: Integrated sports betting adds odds management, real-time betting engines, and strict regulatory requirements to the platform.

Step 6: During live matches, thousands of users access the app simultaneously, requiring high-performance servers and cloud scalability.

Step 7: Smart algorithms manage salary caps, lineup validation, contest matching, and automated prize distribution.

Step 8: Lineup optimizers, live chat, push notifications, and private leagues improve user retention but increase development complexity.

If you’re an investor looking to build a fantasy sports app, DraftKings offers a winning model worth replicating.

How Much Does It Cost to Build an App Like DraftKings?

Here's the million-dollar question: literally.

The cost to develop a fantasy sports app like DraftKings typically ranges from $20,000 to $150,000+ for an MVP (Minimum Viable Product). But that's just the starting point for serious ventures.

But hold on, that's quite a range, right?

The variation comes down to your specific requirements, the features you want to include, the platforms you want to support, and the quality level you're aiming for. 

App Type / Scope	Estimated Cost Range	What’s Included
Basic MVP Fantasy App	$20,000 – $40,000	Core fantasy contests, user registration, basic wallet, limited sports support, simple UI, and third-party sports data APIs.
Standard Fantasy Sports App	$40,000 – $80,000	Multiple contest types, real-time scoring, secure payments, admin panel, push notifications, and improved UI/UX.
Advanced DraftKings-Like App	$80,000 – $120,000	Live stats, scalable cloud infrastructure, advanced algorithms, multi-sport support, analytics, and performance optimization.
Full-Scale Platform (DraftKings Level)	$120,000 – $150,000+	Live betting, compliance management, high traffic handling, real-time data feeds, fraud prevention, and enterprise-grade security.

Let me break this down into realistic scenarios that'll help you understand where your project might fall.

Factors Affecting the Overall Cost to Make an App like DraftKings

Moving further, let's get into the nitty-gritty of what actually drives costs in fantasy sports app development.

Several key factors will impact how much you'll invest in your fantasy sports platform. 

Understanding these helps you make informed decisions about where to allocate your budget for maximum impact.

1. Platform Choice (iOS, Android, or Both)

Want to reach iPhone users? That's one development process. Android users? That's another. Both? You're looking at nearly double the cost for native development.

Native app development means building separate apps for iOS and Android using their respective languages (Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android). 

This offers the best performance, access to all platform-specific features, and the smoothest user experience. But it costs more: sometimes 80-100% more than a single platform.

Cross-platform development using frameworks like React Native or Flutter can reduce costs by 30-40% while maintaining good quality. 

You write code once and deploy to both platforms. The tradeoff? Slightly less performance optimization and occasional platform-specific bugs.

Most successful fantasy sports apps target both platforms from day one. Your users don't care what phone their competitor has, they just want to play. Limiting yourself to one platform means cutting out roughly half your potential market.

There's also the web platform to consider. A responsive web app accessible through browsers adds another layer of development but expands your reach significantly. Many users prefer managing their lineups on desktop computers with bigger screens.

2. Feature Complexity

Not all features are created equal when it comes to development time and cost. 

Basic features like user authentication and profile management are relatively straightforward. Most developers can implement these quickly using established libraries and frameworks. These are table stakes, you need them, but they won't differentiate you.

Each advanced feature adds to your timeline and budget. 

The cost to build a fantasy sports app like DraftKings increases significantly with live user chat, social sharing using custom graphics, in-app purchases beyond contest entries, video highlights integrated into player cards, and predictive analytics for trend analysis.

The key is prioritizing features based on user value and competitive differentiation. Not every feature needs to be in version one.

3. Real-Time Data Integration

Real-time data integration is one of the most critical and expensive components of a fantasy platform. Live player stats, scores, injuries, and match updates must sync instantly to keep contests fair and engaging. 

Any delay can frustrate users and damage trust. To achieve this, apps rely on multiple third-party sports data providers, WebSocket connections, and high-performance backend systems. 

As traffic spikes during live matches, the infrastructure must scale without slowing down updates. 

This complexity directly impacts the cost to create a fantasy sports app, as developers must invest in reliable APIs, real-time processing, caching mechanisms, and constant monitoring. 

The more sports, leagues, and data points you support, the higher the development and ongoing operational costs become.

4. Payment Gateway Integration

Payment gateway integration plays a major role in both user trust and overall platform stability. A fantasy sports app must support secure deposits, withdrawals, refunds, and prize payouts without delays or errors. 

This requires integrating reliable payment gateways, setting up in-app wallets, and implementing encryption to protect sensitive financial data. 

On top of that, fraud detection, transaction monitoring, and compliance with regional financial regulations are essential to avoid legal and security risks. 

As transaction volume grows, the system must handle high concurrency without performance drops. 

All these factors significantly increase the cost to develop a fantasy sports app, especially when supporting multiple currencies, payment methods, and automated payout processes. 

Cutting corners here isn’t an option: payment reliability directly impacts user confidence and long-term retention.

5. UI/UX Design

First impressions matter more than you might think in the app economy.

In a competitive market like fantasy sports, users decide within seconds whether to stay or leave. A clean interface, intuitive navigation, and fast-loading screens are essential to keep users engaged during live matches. 

Designing dashboards that display real-time scores, lineups, and rankings without overwhelming users requires careful UX planning and multiple design iterations. 

Mobile responsiveness, accessibility, and smooth animations further enhance the experience but add to design effort. 

Consistency across mobile and web platforms is another challenge that demands extra time and testing. 

All of this directly influences the DraftKings like app development cost, as high-quality UI/UX involves user research, wireframing, prototyping, usability testing, and ongoing refinement to meet user expectations and industry standards.

6. Development Team Location

The location of your development team has a major impact on your overall budget and delivery timeline. 

Hiring a mobile app development company in regions like North America or Western Europe usually comes with higher hourly rates, but you often get strong domain expertise, smoother communication, and mature development processes. 

On the other hand, outsourcing to regions such as Asia or Eastern Europe can significantly reduce costs while still delivering high-quality results if you choose the right partner. 

Time zone differences, communication styles, and project management practices also play a role in productivity and efficiency. 

Interestingly, the same logic applies across industries; the cost to develop a fantasy sports app like DraftKings also varies widely based on where your developers are located. 

Balancing cost, quality, and collaboration is key when selecting the right development team for your project.

7. Scalability and Infrastructure

What happens when you get popular? This is where infrastructure planning becomes critical.

During major sporting events, thousands of users log in simultaneously to join contests, track scores, and monitor rankings in real time. 

To support this, the app must be built on a scalable cloud infrastructure with load balancing, auto-scaling servers, caching layers, and real-time databases. 

Performance optimization, uptime monitoring, and failover mechanisms are also essential to prevent crashes during peak usage. 

As the user base grows, infrastructure costs increase with higher data storage, bandwidth, and processing requirements. 

All these technical necessities directly influence the cost to make a fantasy sports app like DraftKings, as building for scalability from day one requires advanced architecture planning and continuous infrastructure investment.

8. Regulatory Compliance

Here's the part nobody likes talking about but it's crucial and can make or break your business.

Fantasy sports operate in a complex legal and regulatory environment, and ignoring compliance can put your entire business at risk. 

While the 2006 UIGEA allows fantasy sports at a federal level, state laws vary widely and must be handled carefully.

Your platform needs built-in compliance systems such as age verification, geolocation to block restricted states, responsible gaming controls, detailed terms of service, and KYC procedures for secure withdrawals. 

Some states prohibit paid fantasy contests entirely, while others require specific operator licenses. 

Managing these state-by-state rules demands automated legal logic within the app. Legal compliance alone can add $20,000–$50,000 to upfront development, plus ongoing legal support costs. 

All of this significantly impacts the cost to make a fantasy sports app like DraftKings, but skipping compliance can lead to fines, shutdowns, or legal action, costs far higher than doing it right from the start.

How Long Does It Take to Build an App Like DraftKings?

Time is money, especially in tech where being first to market with a new feature or approach can mean the difference between success and irrelevance.

The development timeline for a fantasy sports app typically spans 6-12 months, depending on complexity and team size. But let's be realistic most quality fantasy sports platforms take 8-10 months from concept to launch. 

Founders often want to rush this timeline. Resist that urge. Launching too early with a buggy, incomplete product is worse than launching slightly later with a polished experience. 

Let me break it down phase by phase so you understand where the time goes:

Phase	Duration	Key Activities
Phase 1: Planning & Research	4–6 weeks	Market research, competitor analysis, MVP feature prioritization, technical architecture planning, and legal consultation for state-wise compliance.
Phase 2: UI/UX Design	6–8 weeks	Wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, user flow mapping, and creation of a reusable design system.
Phase 3: Backend Development	10–14 weeks	Database architecture, API development, third-party integrations, security implementation, and admin panel creation.
Phase 4: Frontend Development	10–14 weeks	UI implementation, feature development, animations, responsive design, performance optimization, and backend integration.
Phase 5: Testing & QA	6–8 weeks	Functional testing, security audits, performance testing, user acceptance testing, and iterative bug fixing.
Phase 6: Deployment & Launch	2–4 weeks	App store submission, production server setup, final testing, marketing prep, soft launch, and public release.

How DraftKings' Like App Can Make Money?

You're spending hundreds of thousands of dollars building this app. How do you make it back, and then some?

Good news: fantasy sports apps have multiple proven revenue models. The best platforms diversify their income streams to maximize revenue and reduce risk.

Let's explore the main monetization strategies you can implement:

1] Contest Entry Fees

Contest entry fees form the backbone of fantasy sports monetization. Users pay to join contests, and the platform earns a commission, usually 10–15%, known as the rake. 

The remaining amount goes into the prize pool for winners. For example, a $10 contest with 100 users generates $1,000 in entries, leaving $100–$150 as platform revenue. 

This model scales beautifully with volume and requires minimal additional overhead as usage grows. 

However, building a system that handles high transaction volumes, fair prize distribution, and real-time contest updates directly impacts the cost to develop an app like DraftKings. 

Success here depends on strong engagement, seamless payments, and a wide range of contest formats to keep users coming back.

2] Premium Subscriptions

Premium subscriptions introduce predictable, recurring revenue alongside contest fees. 

Users pay monthly or annually for advanced analytics, expert lineup advice, exclusive contests, early feature access, and an ad-free experience. 

Pricing typically falls between $5 and $15 per month, making it accessible while still profitable at scale. 

Subscription revenue is attractive because it’s stable, unlike contest fees that fluctuate with user activity. 

Designing premium features that clearly outperform free offerings requires thoughtful UX, data modeling, and content partnerships. 

These enhancements add depth to the product and influence the cost to create an app like DraftKings, as premium systems must feel genuinely valuable without alienating free users.

3] Advertising Revenue

Advertising allows platforms to monetize free users without requiring upfront payments. 

Common formats include banner ads, video placements, sponsored player features, and branded content. 

Fantasy sports apps attract highly desirable demographics, engaged sports fans with strong spending power, allowing platforms to command higher CPM rates than typical consumer apps.

However, ad systems must be carefully integrated to avoid disrupting gameplay or live scoring experiences. 

Balancing performance, user experience, and monetization requires smart placement logic and ad network integration. 

All of this contributes to the Cost to build an app like DraftKings, especially when supporting large-scale impressions without slowing down real-time interactions.

4] Affiliate Partnerships

Affiliate partnerships generate revenue by connecting users with relevant third-party services such as sportsbooks, sports news platforms, merchandise stores, and streaming providers. 

When users sign up or transact through these referrals, the platform earns a commission, often substantial in the case of sportsbooks. 

This model works best when partnerships feel organic and genuinely useful to users researching players or matchups. 

Poorly matched promotions can damage trust, while well-aligned ones boost lifetime value. 

Implementing tracking, attribution, and reporting systems for affiliates adds technical complexity and influences the cost to make an app like DraftKings, but it can unlock high-margin revenue with minimal ongoing effort.

5] Data and Analytics Sales

Fantasy sports platforms generate valuable insights from user behavior, contest trends, and player performance data. 

These insights can be packaged and sold to sports analysts, media companies, and research organizations. 

Data products may include trend reports, predictive insights, or anonymized performance analytics. 

Monthly pricing can range from $5,000 to $20,000 depending on depth and frequency. 

However, data monetization must be handled responsibly. 

Strict compliance with privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA is essential, and user data must be anonymized to maintain trust. 

When managed ethically, data and analytics sales provide a high-value revenue stream that complements other monetization methods.

How Can Zyneto Help You Develop an App Like DraftKings?

Building a fantasy sports app is complex. You need more than just developers; you need a partner who understands the unique challenges of this market. 

That's where Zyneto comes in. As a trusted fantasy sports app development company, we turn that idea into a powerful DraftKings-like app with real-time performance, secure transactions, and a seamless user experience.

From MVP planning to scalable architecture and post-launch growth, Zyneto focuses on building fantasy sports platforms that don’t just launch but lead the game.

Not only do we focus on performance, security, and scalability, but also our cost to build an app like DraftKings is structured to deliver maximum value without unnecessary complexity. 

With transparent pricing and a strategic development approach, Zyneto helps you launch faster, smarter, and with confidence.

Conclusion 

Building a fantasy sports platform like DraftKings is a serious investment, but it’s also a massive opportunity when done right. 

From real-time data feeds and secure payment systems to scalable infrastructure and regulatory compliance, every component plays a role in shaping both performance and cost. 

The cost to build an app like DraftKings depends on your feature depth, platform choices, team expertise, and long-term growth goals. 

Rushing development or cutting corners can lead to technical debt, compliance risks, and poor user retention. 

A well-planned approach, however, helps you launch with confidence and scale sustainably. 

With the right development partner, a clear monetization strategy, and future-ready architecture, your fantasy sports app can compete in a crowded market and grow into a profitable, long-term business.