The 20 Best Sports Podcasts of 2026: Ranked by Real Chart Data
Sports is the most crowded talk category on Apple Podcasts, and the most self-referential: the same dozen names appear on every best sports podcasts 2026 list because the people writing those lists listen to the same shows. This list is built differently. It comes from CastFox's daily Apple Podcasts chart data across 78 countries, and the 20 shows below are the ones that held a US Sports top-100 position in every one of 23 chart snapshots between February and September 2026, weighted by average rank and by how many countries they reach. A show that spiked for one playoff run does not make the cut. A show that has quietly charted every week since February does.
Sports podcasting in 2026 has split into recognizable formats. The general-interest talk shows built around one personality and a rotating cast (The Bill Simmons Podcast, Pardon My Take, The Ryen Russillo Show, The Dan Le Batard Show, The Tony Kornheiser Show). Daily radio and television shows repackaged as podcasts (The Dan Patrick Show, The Herd with Colin Cowherd, First Things First). NBA insider shows that move the news cycle (Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective, The Zach Lowe Show) and a former player telling stories about it (Club 520). NFL shows spanning two active Super Bowl champions (New Heights), a creator-led debut (DOUBLE COVERAGE PODCAST), a film-room breakdown (The Athletic Football Show), and the fantasy show that owns the preseason (Fantasy Footballers). Single-sport communities in hockey (Spittin Chiclets), golf (No Laying Up), and hunting and fishing (The MeatEater Podcast). And a reported storytelling show (Pablo Torre Finds Out) plus one regional radio show (KSR) that charts on the strength of a single fan base.
Each card shows the real cover art, the host, what the show is, why it earned its place in 2026, and who it is best for, plus the chart numbers behind the ranking: how many of the 23 US chart snapshots it appeared in, its average US rank, its best US rank, and how many countries it charted in on the most recent scrape. Click through to CastFox for the full profile with audience estimates, chart history in every country, reviews, and contact details.
Jump to a Show
- #1. The Bill Simmons Podcast
- #2. Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective
- #3. The Zach Lowe Show
- #4. Pablo Torre Finds Out
- #5. Pardon My Take
- #6. The Ryen Russillo Show
- #7. The Dan Le Batard Show
- #8. New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
- #9. DOUBLE COVERAGE PODCAST
- #10. The MeatEater Podcast
- #11. Spittin Chiclets
- #12. The Dan Patrick Show
- #13. The Herd with Colin Cowherd
- #14. Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast
- #15. First Things First
- #16. The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL
- #17. KSR
- #18. No Laying Up - Golf Podcast
- #19. Club 520 Podcast
- #20. The Tony Kornheiser Show
The 20 Best Sports Podcasts to Listen To in 2026
General Sports Talk Built Around a Personality
#1. The Bill Simmons Podcast
Hosted by The Ringer
About this show: Bill Simmons of HBO and The Ringer hosts what the show itself bills as the most downloaded sports podcast of all time, with a rotating crew of celebrities, athletes, and media figures alongside mainstays like Cousin Sal and Joe House. Game analysis sits next to pop culture, and the conversation stays informal.
Why it made the list in 2026: The #1 sports podcast of 2026 by CastFox's data: a US average rank near the very top for the whole year and a footprint in nearly every country we track, which no other sports show comes close to. Chart record: 23 of 23 US snapshots, average US rank 2.2, best #1, charting in 72 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Anyone who wants one show that covers the NBA, the NFL, and everything adjacent without ever feeling like homework.
#5. Pardon My Take
Hosted by Barstool Sports
About this show: Barstool Sports' flagship, hosted by Big Cat and PFT Commenter, delivers what it calls the loudest and most correct sports takes in the history of the spoken word. Daily topics, big-name guests, and a running refusal to take itself seriously.
Why it made the list in 2026: The most consistently top-ranked sports show in the US in 2026, with the best average rank of any show on this list; its footprint is more domestic than global, which is the only reason it is not #1. Chart record: 23 of 23 US snapshots, average US rank 1.2, best #1, charting in 18 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want their sports talk loud, funny, and every single day.
#6. The Ryen Russillo Show
Hosted by Barstool Sports
About this show: Ryen Russillo moved his show to Barstool Sports in 2026 and kept the format intact: sports talk, long tangents, guests, and the Life Advice segment with Kyle and Ceruti. New episodes Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Why it made the list in 2026: A US top-five peak and a top-10 average in its first year at a new home, which is rare for a show that changed networks mid-run. Chart record: 23 of 23 US snapshots, average US rank 11, best #4, charting in 20 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Fans who want thoughtful sports conversation with room for stories and the occasional detour.
#7. The Dan Le Batard Show
Hosted by Dan Le Batard, Stugotz
About this show: From the Elser Hotel in downtown Miami, Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and company share their take on sports, pop culture, and more, including the daily Local Hour focused on South Florida and the Big Suey.
Why it made the list in 2026: One of the strongest US averages on the list, holding a top-three position for most of 2026 on the strength of a fiercely loyal audience. Chart record: 23 of 23 US snapshots, average US rank 3, best #2, charting in 8 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who like their sports show to wander off topic and come back with something better.
#20. The Tony Kornheiser Show
Hosted by This Show Stinks Productions, LLC
About this show: Tony Kornheiser, longtime Washington, DC radio host and co-host of ESPN's PTI, runs a daily talk show that starts with sports and quickly moves to politics, current events, and whatever is on his mind, with regular sit-in guests and familiar segments. Now on-demand only.
Why it made the list in 2026: A weekday show that has held a US top-100 position in every 2026 snapshot despite spending as much time off sports as on it. Chart record: 23 of 23 US snapshots, average US rank 22.7, best #14, charting in 4 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Longtime listeners of sports radio who value personality and routine over breaking news.
Daily Radio and TV Debate Shows
#12. The Dan Patrick Show
Hosted by iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network
About this show: Dan Patrick's daily radio show, distributed by iHeartPodcasts and the Dan Patrick Podcast Network, brings A-list guests from sports and entertainment, insider access, and Patrick's dry humor to a weekday audience.
Why it made the list in 2026: A US top-10 peak and a steady top-15 average across 2026, plus a thousand-episode archive that keeps new listeners discovering it. Chart record: 23 of 23 US snapshots, average US rank 12.6, best #7, charting in 9 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: People who want a classic sports-radio morning with the best guest list in the format.
#13. The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Hosted by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
About this show: Colin Cowherd's daily show, from iHeartPodcasts and The Volume, is a topic-driven, opinionated run through the biggest sports stories of the day, with a heavy football emphasis.
Why it made the list in 2026: Charted in the US top 100 in every 2026 snapshot with a top-15 peak, one of only a handful of daily radio shows to do so. Chart record: 23 of 23 US snapshots, average US rank 18, best #11, charting in 10 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want strong opinions on the day's biggest stories, delivered fast.
#15. First Things First
Hosted by FOX Sports
About this show: The FS1 weekday show, hosted by Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, and Kevin Wildes, debates the biggest stories in sports, from LeBron James to Patrick Mahomes, in the classic television debate format.
Why it made the list in 2026: A television show that charts as a podcast in nearly 30 countries, the widest international footprint of any daily debate show on this list. Chart record: 23 of 23 US snapshots, average US rank 37.5, best #24, charting in 29 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Fans who enjoy the debate format and want it on demand rather than at 3 PM ET.
NBA Insiders and Basketball
#2. Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective
Hosted by ESPN, Omaha Productions, Brian Windhorst
About this show: Brian Windhorst and a team of ESPN's insiders sort out life in and around the NBA world, produced with Omaha Productions. It is the show that turns front-office reporting into conversation.
Why it made the list in 2026: The #2 sports podcast of 2026 and the highest-ranked basketball show, driven by a top-10 US peak and a footprint in more than 50 countries. Chart record: 23 of 23 US snapshots, average US rank 16.9, best #6, charting in 56 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: NBA fans who want to know what the league's decision-makers are actually thinking.
#3. The Zach Lowe Show
Hosted by The Ringer
About this show: Zach Lowe's NBA show found a new home at The Ringer, with game breakdowns, conversations about the Association, and guests including the reporters covering the league and the people shaping it. Episodes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Why it made the list in 2026: A US top-five peak in its first full year at a new network and one of the widest international footprints on the list, which is unusual for a single-league show. Chart record: 23 of 23 US snapshots, average US rank 22.6, best #4, charting in 62 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Basketball obsessives who want the deepest game-by-game analysis on the chart.
#19. Club 520 Podcast
Hosted by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
About this show: Former NBA All-Star Jeff Teague, who went viral for stories from his playing career, gets together each week with DJ Wells and Bishop B Henn for laugh-out-loud conversations about the biggest topics in sports and culture. From iHeartPodcasts and The Volume.
Why it made the list in 2026: A player-hosted show that held a US top-100 position in every 2026 snapshot with a top-20 peak, showing that the locker-room storytelling format has staying power beyond the viral clips. Chart record: 23 of 23 US snapshots, average US rank 22.1, best #16, charting in 4 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Fans who want the NBA from someone who was in the huddle, told as comedy.
NFL and Fantasy Football
#8. New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Hosted by Wondery
About this show: Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, both Super Bowl champions, share weekly insights on the slate of games, trending NFL news, and pop culture, while ragging on each other as brothers do. Produced by Wondery, new episodes on Wednesdays.
Why it made the list in 2026: The highest-ranked football show on the list, with a US top-five peak and a footprint in more than 25 countries, which is exceptional for a show about an American league. Chart record: 23 of 23 US snapshots, average US rank 19, best #4, charting in 26 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: NFL fans who want the inside view from active players and everyone who found the show through the headlines and stayed.
#9. DOUBLE COVERAGE PODCAST
Hosted by N3on & Mystic Zach
About this show: A football podcast hosted by N3on and Mystic Zach. The show's own description is a single line, and its catalog is short, so we can say less about it than about the other shows here.
Why it made the list in 2026: A creator-led debut that charted in the US top 100 in every 2026 snapshot and peaked inside the top three, one of the strongest launches in the category this year. Chart record: 23 of 23 US snapshots, average US rank 5.7, best #3, charting in 5 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Younger fans who already follow the hosts and want football talk in the creator style.
#14. Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast
Hosted by Fantasy Football
About this show: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright break down fantasy football with analysis, strong opinions, and matchup advice, positioned as the alternative to the talking heads of the fantasy world.
Why it made the list in 2026: The highest-ranked fantasy show of 2026, with a US top-three peak during the season and a top-100 position in every snapshot, including the offseason months when fantasy shows usually disappear. Chart record: 23 of 23 US snapshots, average US rank 28.4, best #2, charting in 19 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Anyone who has a lineup to set on Sunday morning.
#16. The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL
Hosted by The Athletic
About this show: The Athletic's flagship NFL podcast, hosted by Robert Mays with Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman, breaks down the Xs and Os, roster building, and the biggest stories in the league, with year-round draft coverage from Dane Brugler.
Why it made the list in 2026: The best pure-analysis football show on the chart, holding a US top-100 position in every 2026 snapshot and charting in more than 20 countries. Chart record: 23 of 23 US snapshots, average US rank 32.7, best #17, charting in 23 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Fans who want to understand why a play worked, not just that it did.
Hockey, Golf, and the Outdoors
#10. The MeatEater Podcast
Hosted by MeatEater
About this show: Steven Rinella hosts an in-depth look at hunting, fishing, nature, conservation, and wild foods, with a rotating group of expert guests and a good deal of humor. Part of The MeatEater Podcast Network.
Why it made the list in 2026: The only outdoors show in the US Sports top 20, with a top-10 average across 2026, a reminder that Apple's Sports category is broader than ball sports. Chart record: 23 of 23 US snapshots, average US rank 10, best #6, charting in 9 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Hunters, anglers, and anyone curious about where their food comes from.
#11. Spittin Chiclets
Hosted by Barstool Sports
About this show: Former NHL players Ryan Whitney and Paul Bissonnette, with Barstool writer Rear Admiral and producer Mike Grinnell, bring outspoken and irreverent opinions on the NHL and everything else. New episodes every Tuesday.
Why it made the list in 2026: The only hockey show in the US Sports top 20 in 2026, with a top-five peak that shows how deep the hockey audience runs even on a general chart. Chart record: 23 of 23 US snapshots, average US rank 13.8, best #4, charting in 12 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Hockey fans who want the game talked about by people who played it, without a filter.
#18. No Laying Up - Golf Podcast
Hosted by NoLayingUp.com
About this show: Founded in 2014 as a group text among college friends, No Laying Up grew into one of the most popular podcasts in golf, with appearances from the biggest names in the sport, plus video travel series and PGA Tour and LPGA writing. The community is known as The Nest.
Why it made the list in 2026: The only golf show on the list and a US top-10 peak in 2026, proving a single-sport community can hold its own against national talk brands. Chart record: 23 of 23 US snapshots, average US rank 25.8, best #6, charting in 9 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Avid golfers who want an insider's conversation about the pro game and the culture around it.
Reported Storytelling and Regional Fandom
#4. Pablo Torre Finds Out
Hosted by The Athletic
About this show: Pablo Torre's award-winning video podcast, now part of The Athletic Podcast Network, reports one urgent question per episode in a deep-dive format the show calls a talkumentary, with contributors including Wyatt Cenac and Ezra Edelman. Honored by the Edward R. Murrow and Peabody Awards.
Why it made the list in 2026: The #4 sports podcast of 2026 and the highest-ranked storytelling show, with a US top-five peak and a footprint in more than 40 countries. Chart record: 23 of 23 US snapshots, average US rank 12.1, best #5, charting in 41 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want sports journalism with a reporter's curiosity rather than a pundit's take.
#17. KSR
Hosted by iHeartPodcasts and Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM)
About this show: Matt Jones and the KSR crew bring the latest UK news and views weekdays from 10 to noon on Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM), distributed by iHeartPodcasts. The UK here is the University of Kentucky, not the United Kingdom.
Why it made the list in 2026: A regional radio show that held a US top-100 position in every 2026 snapshot with a top-10 peak, on the strength of one fan base. Chart record: 23 of 23 US snapshots, average US rank 14.9, best #10, charting in 1 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Kentucky fans, and anyone interested in how a local show can out-chart national brands.
How This List Is Ranked
CastFox scrapes the Apple Podcasts charts every day in 78 countries and stores every position in the top 200 of every genre. For this list we took the 23 2026 snapshots of the US Sports chart between 2026-02-24 and 2026-09-04, and scored every show that appeared in the top 100 of any of them.
- Consistency (50% of the score): the number of snapshots in which the show appeared in the US top 100. Every show on this list scored 23 out of 23, which is the filter that removes one-week spikes.
- Average US rank (30%): the mean of the show's US chart positions across those snapshots. Lower is better.
- Global reach (20%): the number of tracked countries in which the show was in the genre top 100 on the most recent snapshot. This is what separates a show with a large US following from a show with a global one.
There are no paid placements and no editorial overrides. A few shows on this list would not be our personal picks; they are here because the chart data put them here, and we would rather show you what people are actually listening to than what we think they should be. Chart position is not the same as audience size, so treat the ranking as a measure of sustained popularity rather than a download count. For a deeper look at what chart data can and cannot tell you, read how podcast audience demographics are calculated.
How to Pick the Right Sports Podcast for You
You want one show that covers everything
The Bill Simmons Podcast is the #1 show on this list and the widest tent: NBA, NFL, movies, and whoever happens to be in the studio. Pardon My Take is the same breadth with the volume turned up. The Ryen Russillo Show is the calmer version with a life-advice segment.
You want a daily habit that follows the news cycle
The Dan Patrick Show and The Herd with Colin Cowherd are radio shows you can start any weekday. First Things First is the television debate format. The Dan Le Batard Show and The Tony Kornheiser Show are daily too, but they wander off sports on purpose, which is why their fans love them.
You want to actually understand the NBA
Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective is where ESPN's insiders sort out the league. The Zach Lowe Show is the deepest game-by-game analysis on the chart. Club 520 is what the league looks like from inside the locker room, told by a former All-Star.
You want the NFL from people who play or study it
New Heights gives you two active Super Bowl champions talking about their own week. The Athletic Football Show is the Xs-and-Os breakdown with year-round draft coverage. DOUBLE COVERAGE is the creator-era entry, and Fantasy Footballers is the one to open before you set your lineup.
You follow one sport that is not football or basketball
Spittin Chiclets is hockey from former NHL players. No Laying Up is the golf community's flagship. The MeatEater Podcast covers hunting, fishing, conservation, and wild food, and it is the only outdoors show in the Sports top 20.
You want a story rather than a take
Pablo Torre Finds Out reports one question per episode in what it calls a talkumentary format, with Peabody and Murrow recognition behind it. It is the closest thing this category has to narrative journalism.
You are a Kentucky fan
KSR is on this list because a single fan base keeps it in the US top 100 every week. If that is your team, you already know it; if not, it is a fascinating case study in how regional radio can out-chart national brands.
Want the next 180 sports podcasts?
This list is the top 20. The CastFox Sports chart page shows the top 50 updated daily, and PodcastGPT can find shows on any specific topic across 5M+ podcasts.
See the daily top 50 → Search by topic →Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Sports Podcasts
What is the best sports podcast in 2026?
By CastFox's chart-consistency score, The Bill Simmons Podcast is the best sports podcast of 2026: it appeared in all 23 US chart snapshots between February and September with an average US rank of 2.2, a best rank of #1, and top-100 positions in 72 of the 78 countries CastFox tracks. Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective and The Zach Lowe Show are second and third, both lifted by global reach.
How is this list ranked?
Each show's score combines three things from CastFox's daily Apple Podcasts chart data: how many of the 23 2026 US Sports chart snapshots it appeared in the top 100 of (50% of the score), its average US rank across those appearances (30%), and how many of 78 tracked countries it charted in on the latest scrape (20%). No paid placements, no editorial overrides.
Why is Pardon My Take not #1 when it has the best average rank?
Pardon My Take has the best US average rank on the list at 1.2, but it charted in 18 countries on the latest scrape, against 72 for The Bill Simmons Podcast. The reach component of the score is what separates them. If you only care about the US chart, Pardon My Take is the most consistently top-ranked sports show in America in 2026.
What are the best NBA podcasts in 2026?
Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective (ESPN) and The Zach Lowe Show (The Ringer) are the two highest-ranked basketball shows, at #2 and #3 overall, and both chart in more than 50 countries. Club 520 Podcast, hosted by former NBA All-Star Jeff Teague, is the storytelling alternative. The Bill Simmons Podcast is not a basketball-only show but covers the league heavily.
What are the best NFL and fantasy football podcasts?
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce is the highest-ranked football show on the list. The Athletic Football Show is the best pure analysis show, and Fantasy Footballers is the highest-ranked fantasy show, with a best US rank of #2 during the 2026 window. DOUBLE COVERAGE PODCAST, hosted by N3on and Mystic Zach, is the newest football entry and reached a best US rank of #3.
Are there hockey, golf, or outdoors podcasts in the top 20?
Yes. Spittin Chiclets (hockey), No Laying Up (golf), and The MeatEater Podcast (hunting, fishing, and conservation) all appeared in every one of the 23 US snapshots. Each has a US top-10 peak in 2026, which shows how far a dedicated single-sport community can carry a show on a general sports chart.
Why is a Kentucky radio show on a national list?
KSR charted in the US Sports top 100 in all 23 snapshots with an average rank of 14.9, and in only one country. It is the clearest example on this list of a show ranked by sustained popularity rather than breadth. We describe it as what it is rather than leaving it out.
How do I find sports podcasts about a specific team or topic?
Use PodcastGPT Podcast Finder and describe what you want in plain English ("podcasts about the Detroit Lions" or "marathon training podcasts"). It searches 5M+ shows and 114M+ episodes by topic rather than by category name, and topic search finds the individual episodes.
I work in sports. How do I get booked on these shows?
Most of the interview-driven shows here book outside guests, and the smaller single-sport shows are the most approachable. CastFox Guest Finder matches your expertise to active, guest-booking sports podcasts with verified host contacts, and the complete guesting playbook covers the pitch.