Video Streaming in Sport Line API

What Sport Line API Provides

Sport Line API indicates whether video streaming is available for a specific Live match and returns its identifier.

Two fields are used:

The value va: 0 is not used.

Coverage Restriction

SportAPI does not stream matches from top sports leagues. Video streams are available only for some other competitions.

Do not promise video availability for a specific tournament, country, sport, or Live match in advance. Determine availability separately for each match using va and vi from the current sports line response.

The topmatches method name also does not mean that SportAPI streams top leagues. It is the name of a separate match selection in the API, not a description of the tournament level.

When Video Is Available

In verified responses, an available stream has both fields populated:

{
  "va": 1,
  "vi": "20064614"
}

When no stream is available, the fields are returned as:

{
  "va": null,
  "vi": null
}

Client logic must check both fields:

Do not store the presence of vi as a permanent match property. Check availability in the current Live response.

vi Format

vi is a string identifier, not a number or a ready-to-use URL.

Actual responses contained different formats:

{
  "vi": "20064614"
}

{
  "vi": "DR_3_1783061985"
}

Even when the string contains only digits, do not convert it to a numeric type. Store and pass vi exactly as received from Sport Line API.

vi is not a ready-made iframe or video-stream URL. It is an ID passed to the ready-made video widget.

Ready-made Video Widget and iframe

The video stream is embedded in the website as a separate ready-made widget through an iframe. The client does not need to obtain the stream independently or develop a video player.

Sport Line API → va and vi → ready-made video widget → iframe on the client's website

The widget receives vi as the ID of the selected stream. Do not use vi itself as the complete iframe src: the widget address and other integration parameters are specified in the separate video-streaming service guide.

This document describes only the relationship between the video widget and Sport Line API. The complete video embedding guide for iframe will be provided separately.

Where Video Fields Are Returned

va and vi are part of the match object. They can be retrieved with a Live match, for example through:

• events — the Live match list;
• event — a specific Live match;
• topmatches — the fields are present in both short and extended Live match summaries.

Video is not yet available in Prematch. The fields may technically be present as null, but this does not indicate video availability.

Example from a Live Match List

{
  "game_id": 746049368,
  "sport_id": 1,
  "tournament_name": "Russia. Youth Championship. Division A",
  "opp_1_name": "Akron-Yuri Konoplyov Academy (Youth)",
  "opp_2_name": "Zenit Saint Petersburg (Youth)",
  "va": 1,
  "vi": "20064614"
}

game_id and vi serve different purposes:

• game_id is used to request match data through event;
• vi identifies the video stream in the separate video service.

Do not substitute game_id for vi.

Interface Behavior

Recommended logic for a Live match card:

1. Check va and vi.
2. If va: 1 and vi is populated, show a “Watch Stream” button or video section.
3. If va: null or vi: null, do not show an unavailable video player.
4. Check both fields again after every match update.
5. If the stream disappears from the response, disable the button and stop using the stored vi.

Sport Line API does not define the appearance of the video player. Video is displayed by a separate ready-made widget embedded through an iframe.

Important Considerations

• Video is available only for Live matches.
• Not every Live match has a stream.
• SportAPI does not stream matches from top leagues.
• va can only be 1 or null.
• Always process vi as a string or null.
• vi is an ID, not a video-stream URL.
• Check availability after every match-object update.

Practical Integration Rules

1. Show video only when va: 1 and vi is populated.
2. Pass vi without converting or modifying it.
3. Do not use game_id or other fields in place of vi.
4. Do not promise video for a particular league or match before checking the Live response.
5. If vi disappears, stop showing the stream as available.
6. Use the ready-made video widget embedded through an iframe.

Related Documents

• Match Data Model
• events — Match List
• event — Specific Match
• Field Reference