20 Best Sport TV Shows on Max 2026
From hard-hitting documentaries to drama and comedy, discover Max sports series worth adding to your watchlist, including Winning Time and 100 Foot Wave.
If you’re searching for sports series that go beyond the scoreboard, this lineup brings together drama, documentaries, comedy, and reality TV in one place. It includes buzzy picks like Heated Rivalry, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, One Tree Hill, and 100 Foot Wave, plus hard-hitting docs such as Hard Knocks: Training Camp, Celtics City, and Alex vs ARod. There’s also room for offbeat choices like Eastbound & Down, BattleBots, and Roller Jam, so the mix has something for different tastes. Whether you want competition, big personalities, or stories shaped by sport, these are strong options to start with when looking for the best sport TV shows on Max.
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01
Heated Rivalry
drama · romance · sport
Two of the biggest stars in Major League Hockey are bound by ambition, rivalry, and a magnetic pull neither of them fully understands. What begins as a secret fling between two fresh faced rookies evolves into a years-long journey of love, denial, and self-discovery. Over the next eight years, as they chase glory on the ice, they struggle to navigate their feelings for each other. Torn between the sport they live for and the love they can’t ignore, they must decide if there’s room in their fiercely competitive world for something as fragile – and powerful – as real love.
Why watch: If you enjoy hockey stories with drama and romance woven together, this is the clear pick. Its focus on two top players, rivalry, and long-term emotional tension sets it apart from more traditional sports series.
Directed by Jacob TierneyCast Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie, François Arnaud, Callan Potter, Franco Lo PrestiMaxMore details on IMDb → -
02
One Tree Hill
drama · romance · sport
In Tree Hill, North Carolina two half brothers share a last name and nothing else. Brooding, blue-collar Lucas is a talented street-side basketball player, but his skills are appreciated only by his friends at the river court. Popular, affluent Nathan basks in the hero-worship of the town, as the star of his high school team. And both boys are the son of former college ball player Dan Scott whose long ago choice to abandon Lucas and his mother Karen, will haunt him long into his life with wife Deb and their son Nathan.
Why watch: If you like teen drama built around basketball, this one fits that lane well. The premise centers on two half brothers whose lives revolve around the game and the pressure around it.
Directed by Gregory Prange, Paul Johansson, Mark Schwahn, Joe Davola, Thomas J. WrightCast Bethany Joy Lenz, Sophia Bush, James Lafferty, Lee Norris, Paul JohanssonHuluMaxMore details on IMDb → -
03
Decades in Sports
documentary · sport
A landmark TV collaboration spanning decades of American history, culture, and cinema through multiple documentary series exploring each era from the 1960s through the 2010s.
Why watch: If you prefer sports coverage with a documentary lens, this series may interest you. Its wide historical scope and era-by-era approach suggest a broad look at sports and culture.
Cast John Heilemann, Andrea KremerMaxMore details on IMDb → -
04
Eastbound & Down
comedy · drama · sport
Years after he turned his back on his hometown, a burned-out major league ballplayer returns to teach phys ed at his old middle school.
Why watch: If you want sports comedy with a character-driven edge, this is a good match. Its story about a former ballplayer returning home gives it a mix of athletic background and everyday problems.
Directed by Jody Hill, David Gordon Green, Adam McKayCast Danny McBride, Steve Little, Katy Mixon Greer, Elizabeth De Razzo, John HawkesMaxMore details on IMDb → -
05
Hard Knocks: Training Camp
documentary · reality-tv · sport
Chronicles of NFL teams' preparations for the season.
Why watch: If you enjoy behind-the-scenes NFL content, this is an easy recommendation. The training-camp focus makes it appealing for viewers who want preparation, routines, and team buildup.
Directed by Matt Dissinger, Kaley Campen, Shannon Furman, Rob Gehring, Pat HarrisCast Duce Staley, John Dorsey, Paul Rudd, Aubrey Pleasant, John BrownMaxMore details on IMDb →
Not quite it? Ask WattaWatch for sport on Max →
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06
Ballers
5 Emmy nominations
comedy · drama · sport
Looking at the lives of former and current football players, the show follows former superstar Spencer Strasmore as he gets his life on track in retirement while mentoring other current and former players through the daily grind of the business of football.
Why watch: If football business stories appeal to you as much as the game itself, this title is worth a look. Its mix of comedy and drama follows former and current players through life after the field.
Directed by Julian Farino, Simon Cellan Jones, Chloe Domont, Rob Weiss, David KatzenbergCast Dwayne Johnson, John David Washington, Donovan W. Carter, Troy Garity, Omar Benson MillerMaxMore details on IMDb → -
07
Ultras: Passion and Death
documentary · sport
Ultras: Passion and Death is an HBO docuseries that explores the violent and deeply rooted Spanish "ultras" football fan movement by examining three specific tragedies that forever altered the nation's sporting and cultural landscape. The series uncovers how the passion of fandom can escalate into extreme aggression and tribalism.
Why watch: If you like sports documentaries that examine the darker side of fandom, this one stands out. Its focus on the Spanish ultras movement and multiple tragedies points to a serious, culture-focused watch.
Directed by Pedro García CamposCast Manolo Lama, Paco González, Joan Gaspart, Tomás Roncero, Lucas UrangaMaxMore details on IMDb → -
08
The Cost of Winning
documentary · sport
In 2018, a nearly 200-year-old Catholic school, located in the heart of a neighborhood rife with gun violence and grinding socioeconomic challenges, became a source of both immense pride and then searing controversy as the school's football team, the Panthers, were expelled from their private school league for being "too good" – a turn of events that raised questions of racial bias. Finding themselves without a league in which to play, the team made its own schedule, barnstorming the country in search of top competition and the chance to showcase its players as they strove for athletic scholarships.
Why watch: If you want a documentary about school sports facing real-world pressure, this is a strong choice. The story combines football, race, and the challenge of finding a path to scholarships.
Directed by Rob Ford, Maurice HoldenMaxMore details on IMDb → -
09
Alex vs ARod
documentary · sport
Follows baseball player Alex Rodriguez's journey from talented player to polarizing sports figure.
Why watch: If baseball biographies interest you, this doc should fit. It follows Alex Rodriguez’s path from talented player to polarizing figure, which suggests a personal and career-focused angle.
Directed by Gotham Chopra, Erik LeDrewCast Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Ken Griffey Jr., Lou Piniella, Michael KayMaxMore details on IMDb → -
10
100 Foot Wave
Won 4 Emmys 12 nominations
documentary · sport
The globe-trotting adventures of big wave surfer Garrett McNamara, his family, and fellow surfers.
Why watch: If big-wave surfing and travel-heavy documentary series appeal to you, this is a strong fit. Its focus on Garrett McNamara, his family, and fellow surfers gives it a personal edge.
Directed by Chris SmithCast Ian Cosenza, Pedro PiscoMaxMore details on IMDb → -
11
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty
6 Emmy nominations Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (2024)
biography · drama · sport
A fast-break series chronicling the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties — a team that defined an era, both on and off the court.
Why watch: If you like sports dramas based on a famous team era, this is an obvious pick. It follows the 1980s Lakers on and off the court, so it should resonate with basketball fans and drama viewers alike.
Directed by Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Tanya Hamilton, Payman Benz, Damian Marcano, Jonah HillCast John C. Reilly, Quincy Isaiah, Jason Clarke, Gaby Hoffmann, Hadley RobinsonMaxMore details on IMDb → -
12
30 for 30: Soccer Stories
1 Emmy nomination
documentary · sport
ESPN Films, creators of the critically-acclaimed 30 for 30 film series, will premiere a new series in April surrounding the 2014 FIFA World Cup on ESPN. 30 for 30: Soccer Stories will include a mix of standalone feature-length and 30-minute-long documentary films from an award winning group of filmmakers telling compelling narratives from around the international soccer landscape.
Why watch: If soccer documentaries are your thing, this series is built for that interest. Its mix of standalone films and shorter entries offers different ways into the global game.
Directed by Camilo Antolini, Marcos Horacio Azevedo, Sam Blair, Ezra Edelman, Alex GibneyCast Ray Van Ness III, William Bale, Ty Hurley, Chris Cowlin, Patricia WinkerMaxMore details on IMDb → -
13
BattleBots
action · game-show · reality-tv · sport
BattleBots promises to wow viewers with next generation robots—bigger, faster and stronger than ever before. The show will focus on the design and build of each robot, the bot builder backstories, their intense pursuit of the championship and the spectacle of the event.
Why watch: If you enjoy competition shows with engineering, strategy, and spectacle, this one should scratch that itch. The robot-building angle and championship setup make it more than a standard reality series.
Directed by Ryan Polito, Toby SantosCast Orvis Slack, Brandon Unger, RiderTubiMaxMore details on IMDb → -
14
Red Bull Soapbox
sport
Hosted by NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. and motorsports announcer Mike Bagley, the series features amateur teams as they design and build one-of-a-kind, gravity-powered soapbox racers that compete - and crash - on intricate, downhill courses.
Why watch: If motorsports and quirky competition sound fun, this series is a solid match. The gravity-powered racer setup makes it especially appealing for viewers who like unusual sports challenges.
Directed by Jon Lamb, Hersha Verity, Alex Mucadum, Katie Salvatori, Chris GillettCast Daren Hetcher, Billie CartierMaxMore details on IMDb → -
15
Celtics City
documentary · sport
Containing extensive, never-before-seen archives and more than 80 interviews of past and present Boston Celtics legends, this series chronicles the history, cultural impact, and extraordinary tale of the NBA's winningest and most storied franchise, the Boston Celtics,
Why watch: If you want a deep dive into a legendary basketball franchise, this documentary series is made for that. Its archive material and many interviews suggest a thorough history of the Celtics.
Directed by Lauren StowellCast Jack Nicholson, Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Ainge, Howard Bryant, Larry BirdMaxMore details on IMDb → -
16
Invincible Fight Girl
animation · action · adventure · comedy · family · fantasy · sci-fi · sport
Andy dreams of becoming the greatest pro wrestler of all time. Assuming the wrestler alias: "Fight Girl", Andy sets out into the bizarre and colorful Wrestling World, determined to make a name for herself.
Why watch: If you like animation, action, and wrestling all in one package, this series is an easy fit. The story of Andy chasing a pro wrestling dream gives it a playful sports-adventure angle.
Directed by Matthew Bordenave, Alan WanCast Sydney Mikayla, Paul Castro Jr., Rolonda Watts, Tk Weaver, Kaitlyn RobrockMaxMore details on IMDb → -
17
Roller Jam
game-show · reality-tv · sport
The top roller-skating crews in the United States compete to see who will be crowned the country's best roller dancing team.
Why watch: If roller skating competitions sound appealing, this reality series is worth considering. It focuses on crews battling to be named the country’s best roller dancing team.
Directed by Carrie HavelCast Knejie Allen, DJ Arie Spins, Theresa June-Tao, Tatiana Donskova, Alicia ReasonMaxMore details on IMDb → -
18
Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose
documentary · sport
A retrospective journey, spanning more than 60 years, to tell the story of Pete Rose, baseball's all-time hits leader whose on-field achievements and off-field transgressions have made him one of the most polarizing figures in all of sports.
Why watch: If you like sports documentaries centered on polarizing figures, this one may interest you. It traces Pete Rose’s long career and the controversy surrounding him from a broad historical view.
Directed by Mark MonroeCast Pete RoseMaxMore details on IMDb → -
19
NASCAR 2020: Under Pressure
documentary · sport
2020 has been unlike any other in the history of NASCAR. Just a few races into it, like all sports NASCAR was forced to shut down and was the first to get re-started. This unique access provides an inside look at all of the major themes in the road to crowning the 2020 Cup Champion.
Why watch: If NASCAR coverage with real-season pressure sounds compelling, this documentary should deliver. Its 2020 focus and inside access make it a good pick for racing fans.
Directed by Griffin Van Malssen, Justin BurnettMaxMore details on IMDb → -
20
7 Days in Hell
comedy · sport
A fictional documentary-style expose on the rivalry between two tennis stars who battled it out in a 1999 match that lasted seven days.
Why watch: If you enjoy sports comedies with a mockumentary feel, this tennis rivalry story should work well. It takes a fictional approach to an absurdly long match, so it leans into satire.
Directed by Jake SzymanskiCast Andy Samberg, Kit Harington, Fred Armisen, David Copperfield, Chris EvertMaxMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
This list works well because it covers more than one kind of sports story: scripted drama, documentary storytelling, comedy, and reality competition. You can jump between hockey, basketball, football, baseball, surfing, tennis, wrestling, and motorsports without leaving the page. Bookmark it for later if you want a quick way to revisit the strongest options, since it’s updated regularly as titles change. When you’re ready for your next watch, use this guide to find the series that fits your mood.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is this list updated?
We refresh this list regularly as titles are added or removed from streaming catalogs, so rankings and availability stay current.
Do I need a Max subscription to watch these?
Yes. Every title on this list is currently available on Max. Availability can change, so we recommend checking the streaming link on each title before you start watching.
How are these sport shows ranked?
We rank by a combination of audience rating and current popularity, so you're seeing the sport titles people are actually watching right now, not just an old fixed list.