Best sports podcasts: top action from the worlds of rugby, F1, football and more

Sport unites much of the population and gets our pulses racing and blood boiling in equal measure, which is why the best sports podcasts are incredibly popular.

Many sports fans love the post match analysis, behind-the-scenes gossip and speculation about their favourite teams and sporting events.

As the number of podcasts are on the rise so too are the number of podcasts dedicated specifically to sports. These days you’ll find dedicated podcast shows about many of the top sports – and even the more obscure ones.

But if you’re a sports fan there’s so much choice, how do you find the best sports podcast for you?

In this guide we’ve selected the best sports podcasts from rugby to cricket to running. Some are hosted by fans, others bring in ex-players and plenty draft in industry professionals for comment.

Whatever your sport of choice, there’s bound to be a podcast to keep you entertained while you wait for the next big sporting event in your calendar.

Best Sports Podcasts

at bit.lyLet us start by saying there's far more to this laugh-out-loud funny podcast than just cricket. Co-hosted by England's greatest fast bowler Jimmy Anderson, alongside Greg James, Felix White and the legend that is Mattchin, there are plenty of other oddities (including paper shredders) thrown in for good measure. Featuring musical interludes, joyous Hackney Empire performances and weirdly wonderful quizzes, it's a show that takes the intimidation factor out of sport. So what if you don’t know the difference between a sticky wicket and being bowled out for a duck?! At the end of the day, #Tailendersoftheworlduniteandtakeover.

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at podcasts.apple.comAs the name suggests, this podcast focuses on the egg-shaped ball rather than its round sibling. Created by Tim Cocker, alongside fellow rugby enthusiasts JB and Phil who harbour a lifetime of knowledge - as both players and spectators - this podcast really is a mini Rugby Union bible. Covering classic matches and player debates, what’s not to love about this informal, chatty show?

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at podcasts.apple.comKnown for his dance moves (and for being the tallest man in football), Peter Crouch has branched out into the world of audio. The laugh-a-minute BBC Radio 5 Live show isn’t restricted to football, which sees the footie star join forces with co-hosts Chris Stark and Tom Fordyce. A mixture of in-depth chin-wags and strange adventures, this is a must-listen for sports fans across the world.

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at bit.lyAthletico Mince started off as a football podcast. And episodes often begin with football chat, but usually devolve into a strange absurdist ramble within a few minutes. Icon Bob Mortimer and comedy writer Andy Dawson are the two hosts. Each episode is them chatting for 30 minutes and, well, that’s about it.

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at bbc.co.uk

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at podcasts.apple.comIf you enjoy football there are plenty of podcasts to pick from, but Football Weekly from The Guardian is one of our most enjoyable picks. This football podcast is filled with news, analysis and bags of fun. Think of it like joining your most insightful, clued in mates down at the pub to pick apart the latest games.

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at podcasts.apple.comDavid Coulthard, Guenther Steiner and Murray Walker to name a few. Topics covered include regulation changes, driver battles and team rivalry, so there’s always plenty of action to catch up on (even during the off season).

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at podcasts.apple.comThis football-centric podcast is a must for those who love nothing more than to hear players, managers and commentators (past and present) harp on about the beautiful game. The show is presented by Jon 'the Beast' Parkin, Chris ' Browny' Brown and award-winning writer Chris Brown - yea, that’s a lot of Browns. Featuring guests including Clive Allen, Alan Rodgers and Tommy Miller, this really is a football filled feast for the ears.

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at bit.lyHosted by former NFL scouts Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks, Move The Sticks is a run-down of both the on and off the pitch action. Featuring exclusive interviews from current and former executives and coaches, this podcast is a relatively new addition to the NFL arena - but one that’s listened to by both fans and industry players alike.

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at podcasts.apple.comThere are plenty of great sports podcasts hosted by ex-players, celebs and fans. But we like the High Performance Podcast because it's a bit different as it's run by sports broadcaster Jake Humphrey and leading organisational psychologist Damian Hughes. This means there's a broadcaster's knowledge combined with the unique take of a performance psychologist. Expect first-hand experiences and lessons to be shared.

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Additional words: Becca Caddy