07 November 2023 , 07:59
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What's your favourite sports docuseries? Pictured from left are Formula 1: Drive to Survive, The Last Dance and Beckham. (Image: Netflix)
Sports docuseries have exploded in popularity recently - with the phenomenal success of Netflix's Beckham four-parter further cementing the fact we can't get enough of peering into the lives of some of the globe’s biggest franchises and athletes.
All the behind-the-scenes content and candid interviews do a great job of taking us one step nearer our idols, and often make you realise their lives aren't nearly as wonderful as you might imagine. All this clamour for the glamour has streaming giants such as Netflix and Amazon Prime locked in a constant battle to release the most in-demand sports docuseries productions - but which is your favourite?
To help you decide, has analysed data from IMDb to reveal the 15 most popular sports docuseries of all time. A spokesperson said: “So far, Netflix originals are coming out on top when it comes to sports storytelling, with nine sports docuseries in the top 15 as opposed to Amazon Prime which has three on the list, with its highly popular All or Nothing series. It’s also compelling to see Beckham place on the list despite only being released last month. It speaks to David Beckham’s worldwide influence as not just a sporting icon, but a celebrity and fashion icon too.”
The top 15 makes for fascinating reading, but we want to know which of these is YOUR favourite. Cast your vote in our poll below and expand on your comments beneath the story. We'd love to hear from you.
The Last Dance - 142,850 Votes
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The Last Dance is a 2020 ten-part docuseries co-produced by ESPN Films and Netflix revolving around the career of Michael Jordan and the legendary NBA team Chicago Bulls, who won six NBA championships and two three-peats. The docuseries is widely considered the best sports documentary of all time and offers a fascinating insight into one of the world’s most prominent athletes in one of the most dominant franchises.
Formula 1: Drive to Survive - 47,584 Votes
The first series was released in March 2019, co-produced by Formula One and Netflix. Formula 1: Drive to Survive documents Formula One world championships up close, including behind-the-scenes footage of race day and featuring superstars such as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen; it has had five seasons so far and will likely get more.
Welcome to Wrexham - 16,339 Votes
Multiple-award-winning 2022 release Welcome to Wrexham is based on what started as a struggling non-league team in Wales, whose ambition sees them promoted to the football league. The club was bought by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney who have truly helped turn things around. The unlikely alliance has proved to be a favourable watch among audiences, even those who don’t usually like football!
Untold: Malice at the Palace - 9,664 Votes
Untold: Malice at the Palace is a 2021 Netflix documentary from the "Untold" series that examines the infamous 2004 NBA brawl between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons. The incident led to player suspensions and significant changes in NBA security and fan behavior policies. Through interviews, archival footage, and analysis, the documentary delves into the incident, its causes, and its impact on the NBA and professional sports.
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Sunderland ‘Til I Die - 8,904 Votes
The docuseries follows Sunderland football club through a particularly tumultuous time, mainly the constant threat of relegation. Not only does the series chart the highs and lows of the athletes and management, but also the fiercely loyal fans who have invested their time and money into the club.
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Class of 92 - 8,724 Votes
The Class of 92 harks back to Manchester United’s footballing dynasty; it follows six players, including the likes of David Beckham and Paul Scholes, from their time at Manchester United’s soccer academy up until 1999, when they won the famous treble.
Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist - 7,582 Votes
Released in 2022, it follows an all-American college footballer named Manti Te’o, whose life turns upside down when his relationship is revealed to be a catfish - someone who sets up a fake online profile to trick people who are looking for love, usually to get money out of them. This docuseries explores the events in question, featuring the player and investigative journalists.
All or Nothing: Manchester City - 7,470 Votes
All or Nothing: Manchester City, an Amazon Prime Video original, offers a behind-the-scenes view of the club during the 2017-2018 season. It follows superstar coach Pep Guardiola and covers their Premier League campaign and provides insights into the team's inner workings, including training sessions, locker room interactions, and the lives of players and coaching staff.
Last Chance U - 7,338 Votes
Last Chance U, released in 2016, is a well-received sports documentary series on Netflix, centring on the experiences of junior college American football players and programs in the United States. The series primarily highlights the obstacles and potential pathways that student-athletes navigate as they aspire to advance from JUCO football to competing at four-year universities or, in certain instances, aiming for careers in the NFL.
Cheer - 6,717 Votes
Cheer is a 2020 Netflix documentary series offering an inside view of the competitive cheerleading team of Navarro College in Texas. The show highlights the intense training and personal stories of the athletes. The docuseries is centered on head coach Monica Aldama and the team’s journey to the National Cheerleaders Association National Championships. Cheer has received praise for portraying the physical and emotional challenges cheerleaders face and the determination needed to excel in the sport.
All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur - 6,563 Votes
Like other installments of the All or Nothing series, it offers insight into training sessions, locker room and matchdays. The show begins with the firing of the head coach to make way for legendary manager Jose Mourinho. The docuseries also captures how the world of sport stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic.
FIFA Uncovered - 6,197 Votes
FIFA Uncovered was released on Netflix two weeks before the 2022 Qatar World Cup. The program explores corruption within soccer’s governing body. The four-part docuseries documents the history of the FIFA organisation and the controversy surrounding countries that have hosted the World Cup.
All or Nothing: Arsenal - 5,827 Votes
All or Nothing: Arsenal is a 2022 Amazon Prime Video release narrated by Academy Award-winning actor Daniel Kaluuya. It follows the team during the 2021-22 season when Mikel Arteta, former club captain, turns into head coach following the dismissal of the previous incumbent. The series looks at the team going through a transitional period as new manager Mikel Arteta enforces disciplinary rules, stripping Aubameyang of the captaincy due to punctuality issues.
Beckham - 5,793 Votes
The docuseries was only released last month but has already proved to be a favourite among Netflix fans, accumulating enough votes to feature on this list. The global icon, who played for some of the biggest football teams in the world, has spoken out like never before alongside his wife, Victoria Beckham. The Beckhams offer an insight into their lives, with input from David’s family, former teammates and legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Figo Affair: The Transfer That Changed Football - 5,211 Votes
The Netflix 2022 release explores the most controversial transfer in the history of football, when Luis Figo transferred from Barcelona to arch-rivals Real Madrid. Figo faced a great amount of hostility from the Barcelona fans and media over the infamous transfer. The docuseries explores how the transfer came about from different accounts, including Real Madrid’s president, the agent who proposed the transfer and Luis Figo himself.
Paul Speed
