By Dacast Editorial Team | Reviewed by Jon Whitehead, COO at Dacast | Updated June 2026<\/em><\/p>\n In today\u2019s increasingly digital world,\u00a0broadcasting sports online<\/u><\/a>\u00a0is becoming more popular. Companies like DAZN, for example, have moved from filming in the stands to making billion-dollar deals with sports leagues.<\/p>\n Fans increasingly expect broadcast-quality coverage from local and community sports<\/a>, and a live scoreboard overlay is one of the fastest ways to close the gap between amateur and professional production.<\/span><\/p>\n According to David Jurenka, the NFL\u2019s senior vice president for digital media, \u201cFans aren\u2019t differentiating between a TV, tablet or phone.\u201d Instead, they\u2019re using all internet-connected devices for\u00a0online sports streaming<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n This blog is geared toward sports broadcasters who want to\u00a0stream live video<\/u><\/a>\u00a0or broadcast recordings of their league or team. Specifically, we\u2019ll review how to set up professional-grade scoreboards with the support of\u00a0streaming solutions<\/u><\/a>. That way, your live stream will look as professional as possible when viewed on a mobile device.<\/p>\n With that focus in mind, let\u2019s dive into the world of live streaming sports online!<\/p>\n Want to stream online sports and support your favorite team?\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Did you know that 80% of sports fans today use a \u201cmulti-screen<\/u><\/a>\u201d approach while watching sports? That lets viewers look up stats or chat with friends while watching the game live.<\/p>\n Since this is so popular, offering online coverage of sports events makes good fiscal sense. In particular, one-time events like\u00a0sports are perfect for pay-per-view monetization<\/u><\/a>. In 2017, for example,\u00a081%<\/u><\/a>\u00a0of sports fans subscribed to pay-TV services.<\/p>\n However, most reported that they\u2019d cut the cord on cable if they could access their favorite games and events in real time over the internet from an\u00a0OTT<\/u><\/a>\u00a0streaming provider.<\/p>\n Are you ready to join this cord-cutting, streaming video trend? If you want to stream sports online, you first need to learn\u00a0how to stream sports<\/u><\/a>\u00a0effectively.<\/p>\n A live stream scoreboard overlay is a graphic that goes on top of your video content to provide the score and time for a game or match. Typically, the overlay takes up just a tiny corner of the screen. Sometimes, this can be part of the ribbon at the bottom of the screen.<\/p>\n Most come with manual scoreboard control options. That\u2019s designed to keep fans at home up to date on the score since the camera will be focused on the athletes and not the physical scoreboard.<\/p>\n Wirecast offers three ways to create scoreboard overlays.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Wirecast<\/u><\/a>\u00a0is one tool that sports broadcasters can use to add a scoreboard to their live streams. Wirecast is a\u00a0live stream software encoder<\/u><\/a>\u00a0and production mixer for video.<\/p>\n Available for both Mac and Windows, Wirecast offers complete control via a broad range of features for streaming sports online, as well as other types of broadcasts.<\/p>\n Wirecast is an RTMP stream ingest software encoder that integrates directly with Dacast and other video hosting platforms. As a result, it is fast and easy to set up your live channel and live streams. It\u2019s equally straightforward to start a live stream over the Dacast\u00a0OVP<\/u><\/a>.<\/u><\/p>\n When streaming any game or sports online, some of the applications of the Wirecast software include:<\/p>\n There are three main ways to add scoreboards to a live stream with Wirecast. These include using lower thirds, the built-in live scoreboard title, and the extension NewBlueFX Titler Live.<\/p>\n Wirecast makes adding \u201clower thirds\u201d to your\u00a0live stream sports event<\/u><\/a>\u00a0easy. With a built-in clock tool and simple text manipulation, you can convey essential information like score, time remaining, team names, timeouts, etc.<\/p>\n If you want an editor like Photoshop to create a scoreboard template, you can overlay this template with other add-ons. For example, you can float the score and time numbers on top.<\/p>\n According to\u00a0Telestream<\/u><\/a>, \u201cIf you have a second Wirecast Pro system, you can have a \u201cscoreboard and graphics station. A second Wirecast user could more easily manage all the scores, text, and clocks and then output it to your main Wirecast system via NDI. Just ensure they overlay it on top of a green background so you can chroma-key out the background \u2013 Wirecast Pro does not yet support alpha channel output over NDI.\u201d<\/p>\n The second Wirecast scoreboard overlay method uses the software\u2019s built-in Live Scoreboard tool. This feature comes with the Pro version and is unavailable in Wirecast Studio.<\/p>\n This built-in Live Scoreboard tool makes it easier and faster to update the score. However, users still need to select \u201cmanual\u201d and add a clock using Wirecast\u2019s clock tool. This method also provides a professional appearance and allows you to add a custom background image.<\/p>\n Lastly,\u00a0NewBlueFX Titler Live Sport<\/u><\/a>\u00a0is a professional-grade title tool that integrates with Wirecast and other broadcasting tools. It\u2019s a true professional-grade solution that automatically updates scores when streaming sports online.<\/p>\n Additionally, it plugs directly into in-stadium scoreboards for data syncing, which provides automatic updating. It provides a highly professional appearance and includes 3D animated graphics. NewBlueFX Titler Live Sport also supports NDI or SDI and custom colors.<\/p>\n This tool costs $449, worth it for sports broadcasters who want to use its advanced tools.<\/p>\n Learn the three ways to set up scoreboard overlays with vMix.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Like Wirecast,\u00a0vMix<\/u><\/a>\u00a0is a powerful live stream encoder, production switcher, and mixing tool. This software merges support for a massive range of audio and video sources. Plus, vMix will run on any Windows PC.<\/p>\n Like Wirecast, vMix is a video encoder natively compatible with Dacast. As a result, integrating vMix with your Dacast account is straightforward. Since it supports graphics acceleration, a mid-level computer running vMix can more than mix multi-camera HD productions.<\/p>\n As with Wirecast, there are three main ways to use vMix for streaming sports online with live scoreboards.<\/p>\n The simplest way to set up scoreboards with vMix is via custom text. Manual scoreboard overlays require an operator to manually update the score and time during the game or match. This approach is similar to that of Wirecast. Users create a custom template image in Photoshop or another graphic design tool, and the manual scoreboard is updated with the scores and times as they change.<\/p>\n However, vMix makes this process easier than Wirecast by providing keyboard shortcuts that allow you to update the score instantly.<\/p>\n The second scoreboard option with vMix is the\u00a0Title Designer<\/u><\/a>, which uses the vMix software by default. Beyond basic image editing and manipulation in vMix, it supports custom dynamic text overlays through the standalone embed code option that you can use to update as the score and timing change.<\/p>\n vMix also supports the NewBlueFX Titler Live Sport tool that we discussed above. This option makes it easy to use professional-grade scoreboards on your vMix broadcasts. Automatic updating of the score, time, timeouts, fouls, and other metrics is also available via Daktronics or Scorebot.<\/p>\n OBS Studio is the most widely used free encoder for sports streaming \u2014 and it supports scoreboard overlays through two main approaches: browser-based overlays and dedicated plugins.<\/span><\/p>\n Option 1: Browser Source Overlay (free, manual scoring)<\/b><\/p>\n The simplest approach uses OBS\u2019s built-in Browser Source to load a web-based scoreboard overlay from a tool like Singular.live, StreamElements, or Scoreboard Fox. Here\u2019s how:<\/span><\/p>\n Option 2: Score Freedom Plugin (free, sports-specific)<\/b><\/p>\n Score Freedom is a free OBS plugin designed specifically for sports scoreboard overlays. It supports a range of sports (soccer, basketball, hockey, American football) and allows you to control scores via a simple interface without leaving OBS. Install it from the OBS Plugin Repository, then access it via Tools > Score Freedom after installation.<\/span><\/p>\n OBS Limitation: OBS overlays require manual score updates during the game. For automated real-time score feeds from a data provider, Wirecast or vMix with a Singular.live integration is the more capable solution.<\/span><\/p>\n Encoders are simply one tool required for online sports broadcasting.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Of course,\u00a0vMix<\/u><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Wirecast<\/u><\/a>\u00a0aren\u2019t the only live stream and production mixers available. In addition, there is a range of\u00a0software and hardware<\/u><\/a>\u00a0tools out there that can help you add scoreboard overlays.<\/p>\n Many of the methods we\u2019ve described above also apply to a variety of these systems. Hardware encoders require NDI-based methods, such as the NewBlueFX solution.<\/p>\n In addition to your encoding software, you\u2019ll need a professional\u00a0video hosting platform<\/u><\/a>\u00a0to host your\u00a0sports broadcasts<\/u><\/a>. Dacast is an excellent option because it is fully loaded with the tools you need to broadcast sports like a pro at a reasonable price.<\/p>\n Also, Dacast is compatible with any RTMP encoder with channel authentication, which means that you are free to use just about any encoding software that you\u2019d like.<\/p>\n In 2026, Singular.live supports real-time automated score feeds from sports data providers including Sportradar, Stats Perform, and custom JSON APIs, allowing scores to update automatically without manual input during the game, a significant advantage for organizations streaming multiple concurrent events.<\/span><\/p>\n No. OBS Studio is free and supports scoreboard overlays through browser sources or the Score Freedom plugin. Wirecast and vMix offer more automation and built-in templates, but a professional-looking scoreboard is achievable with free tools for most community and local sports productions.<\/span><\/p>\n Yes. All the tools covered in this guide support real-time score updates. With OBS and Singular.live, you update scores from a separate web interface and the overlay updates instantly in your stream without interrupting playback. With Wirecast and vMix, score updates are made directly within the encoder interface.<\/span><\/p>\n Yes. The scoreboard is burned into the encoded video feed, not added at the player level. This means it displays identically on mobile phones, tablets, desktop browsers, and smart TVs regardless of how the viewer is watching.<\/span><\/p>\n Any sport with a numerical score works well: soccer, basketball, hockey, American football, volleyball, and tennis. Tools like vMix and Singular.live include pre-built templates for the most common sports, so you do not need to build the scoreboard design from scratch.<\/span><\/p>\n Are you ready to add a live scoreboard overlay to your sports broadcast?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Online sports broadcasting<\/u><\/a>\u00a0is booming, and succeeding in this growing industry requires attention to details and special effects like scoreboard overlays. We hope this article has equipped you to try out one or more of the approaches reviewed here.<\/p>\n As we mentioned, an online video platform is another essential tool used to stream sports online. For example, a professional OVP like Dacast offers on-demand video hosting and live stream delivery.<\/p>\n Among other advantages, Dacast offers white-label streaming, low-latency HLS delivery, video monetization tools, and fast, global delivery via top-tier CDNs.<\/p>\n Want to try the platform for yourself? We offer a\u00a014-day risk-free trial<\/strong>. To get started, just create a Dacast account today. No credit card is necessary.<\/p>\nTable of Contents<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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The Growth of Online Sports Streaming<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Live](\"https:\/\/www.dacast.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Broadcast-Live-Sports-1024x681.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhat is a Scoreboard Overlay?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
How to Set Up Scoreboard Overlays with Wirecast\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"wirecast](\"https:\/\/www.dacast.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/wirecast_pro1-1024x588.png\")
<\/p>\n\n
1. Lower Thirds<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. Built-In Live Scoreboard Tool<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3. NewBlueFX Titler Live Sport<\/strong><\/h3>\n
How to Set Up Scoreboard Overlays with vMix<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"vMix](\"https:\/\/www.dacast.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/vMix-LiveProductionSoftware-1024x512.jpg\")
<\/p>\n1. Scoreboard Title Templates<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. vMix Title Designer<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3. NewBlueFX Titler Live Sport<\/strong><\/h3>\n
How to Set Up Scoreboard Overlays with OBS Studio<\/b><\/h2>\n
\n
Additional Tools for Online Sports Streaming<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Broadcast](\"https:\/\/www.dacast.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Broadcast-Sports-Ease-of-Use-1024x683.png\")
<\/p>\nFAQ<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Do I need a paid encoder to add a scoreboard overlay to my sports stream?<\/b><\/h3>\n
Can I update the scoreboard in real time during the game?<\/b><\/h3>\n
Will the scoreboard overlay display correctly on mobile viewers?<\/b><\/h3>\n
Which sports work best with scoreboard overlays?<\/b><\/h3>\n
Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"online](\"https:\/\/www.dacast.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/online-sports-streaming-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/p>\nStart for free<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n