Finding the best TV for sports games can be difficult at times considering the wide variety of sizes, screen types, and manufacturers available.
Adding to the issue is the abundance of sports video games available right now, like NBA 2K24 and EA FC 24, and how many real-life sports are currently ongoing, finding the right TV to accentuate every tiny detail of your chosen sport is that bit trickier.
Fortunately, we've scoured the web to compile a list of the best gaming TVs based on their price, user reviews, and any unique features that make these TVs stand out from the crowd.
Features-wise, we're focusing on screens with high resolutions to showcase all the action in detail. We're also taking into account TVs with high refresh rates to reduce stuttering during crucial moments in games.
With this in mind, if you're after something to showcase sports in 4K, like this LG OLED evo C3, or you're on the hunt for something capable of 8K images, like this Samsung QE65QN900A, then we've got you covered right here.
As TVs can be quite technical, we've also answered some of the most commonly asked questions surrounding televisions to help you work out what exactly you need to upgrade your setup. Before that though, here's our list of the best TVs for sports games available now...
Best TV for sports games
- LG OLED evo C3 - a great 4K option
- Hisense 55A6G - best budget television for sports
- Samsung QE65QN900A - 8K excellence
- Samsung 43" AU8000 - best choice under 50"
- Hisense 55U8H - an excellent mid-range pick
- Sony BRAVIA XR65X90JU - 120Hz for super smooth sports
1. LG OLED evo C3
Best 4K TV for sports games
Ports: USB, Ethernet, HDMI 2.1
Refresh Rate: 120Hz
Resolution: 4K
Screen Type: OLED
The LG OLED C3 looks to be a great pick for sports games thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate and super-fast 0.1ms response time, two specs that rival even some of the best gaming monitors around.
To achieve this, it is equipped with a hugely powerful α9 AI Processor, helping it deliver bright and bold visuals on its stunning 4K OLED display. Adding to this, it features a Game Dashboard and Optimiser to give the ideal settings for your sporting title. And, if that wasn't enough, it comes with NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility, AMD FreeSync Premium, and VRR support which, combined, create a clear, smooth picture.
Finally, it can even help you stay up to date with your favourite football team thanks to personalised sports alerts delivered to you at any time. It really is one of the best TVs available today, which is why we'd highly recommend checking it out for your sports setup.
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2. Hisense 55A6G
Best budget TV for sports games
Ports: HDMI 2.1 x 2, USB 2.0, USB 3.0
Refresh Rate: 60hz
Resolution: 4K, 3840 × 2160
Screen Type: DLED
TVs often vary massively in price, but Hisense tends to market its products on the relatively more affordable end of this scale.
The Hisense 55A6G is no exception to this, but it still remains competitive thanks to a number of handy features that help make this TV a great option for watching and playing sports.
One such feature is the Sport Mode setting which has been designed mostly for real-life sports to accommodate the fast-paced action, but with the quality of games constantly improving, it doubles up as a great setting for your video game action
Ultimately, this Hisense TV has a lot to offer in terms of technology and a sharp picture to match. So, considering its price tag, this is one of the best gaming TVs on a budget around.
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3. Samsung QE65QN900A
Best 8K TV for sports games
Ports: HDMI 2.1, HDMI 2.0 x 3, USB 2.0 x 3
Refresh Rate: 120hz
Resolution: 8K, 7680 x 4320
Screen Type: QLED
8K may not be in every household just yet, but if you want to invest in your sports video gaming future, then this Samsung QE65QN900A should certainly deliver.
This massive 65" TV with a 7680 x 4320 resolution will likely provide exceptional picture quality, even when upscaling 1080p and 4K content thanks to its Neo Quantum Processor.
It also comes with features that make it ready for next-gen gaming including support for 4K/120fps or 8K/60fps gameplay, Game Motion Plus, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, meaning your sports games should feel as close to real-life as possible.
Although an 8K TV might not be one of the must-have items right now, if you want to experience some of the best quality both now and for the foreseeable future then the Samsung QE65QN900A is a good option to go with.
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4. Samsung 43" AU8000
Best TV for sports games under 50"
Ports: HDMI x 3, USB 2.0 x 2
Refresh Rate: 60hz
Resolution: 4K, 3,840 x 2,160
Screen Type: Edge LED
If you're searching for something slightly smaller to take up less space, or simply enjoy gaming on a smaller screen then the AU8000 is Samsung's latest design which might just be your answer.
Samsung boasts this TV is great for dealing with reflections which is often a common problem when playing sports games as the typically wide camera angles means the action is a lot smaller and reflections can sometimes completely block off what's going on.
Moreover, the TV comes with what Samsung calls a Crystal Processor 4K which should be more than capable of 4K upscaling, making it a great option for showcasing sports games across a number of consoles.
On the whole, this TV will provide you with something more akin to a top gaming monitor for sports in terms of size than a more common 55" screen, making it a great option for you if you prefer smaller displays.
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5. Hisense 55U8H
Best mid-range TV for sports games
Ports: 4 x HDMI 2.1
Refresh Rate: 120hz
Resolution: 4K, 3840 x 2160
Screen Type: ULED
The Hisense U8H is an excellent mid-range TV option, offering an impressive 4K resolution that makes it a great choice for those seeking a balance between performance and cost.
The TV provides four HDMI 2.1 ports, allowing you to easily connect additional devices like gaming consoles or PCs, which it can automatically detect. It also boasts a 120Hz refresh rate from its ULED display, ensuring ultrasmooth sports gameplay alongside Smooth Motion that removes the digital noise that can affect moving objects.
Additionally, it comes with a Game Mode that automatically adjusts your settings for smooth, uninterrupted performance. It also features a low latency mode to ensure inputs happen almost instantaneously on the pitch, field, or in the ring, depending on what sports game you're playing.
Ultimately, this excellent Hisense TV offers a lot for a very reasonable price, making it an excellent pick for your home sports setup.
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6. Sony BRAVIA XR65X90JU
Best 120Hz TV for sports games
Ports: HDMI 2.1 x2, HDMI 2.0b x2, Composite Input x1, USB 2.0 x2
Refresh Rate: 120hz
Resolution: 4K, 3840 x 2160
Screen Type: LED
This Sony BRAVIA XR65X90JU looks to be a particularly great TV for next-gen gaming thanks to its hugely impressive 120Hz refresh rate.
You also get what Sony calls XR Motion Clarity, a feature designed to give the appearance of higher framerates on lower framerate pictures which includes sporting events.
Overall, this Sony BRAVIA TV looks to be a great pick if you're after something with a large display and an ultra-fast refresh rate to fulfill your sports gaming needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
TVs can sometimes be quite technical and therefore challenging to get your head around. Don't worry though because we're here to clear up some of the most common queries in relation to sports gaming.
What features should you look for from a TV for sports games?
There are a number of key features that make certain TVs stand out from the crowd in terms of delivering the best gaming experience.
One of the biggest factors for keen gamers, especially with multiplayer games, is a TVs input lag which is the time measured between pressing a button on your top controller and the corresponding action taking place on the screen.
Other features to consider are the TV's refresh rate, but unless you're a competitive gamer or an FPS enthusiast, 60hz should work fine for your sports gaming needs.
Do you need an HDMI 2.1 TV for sports games?
Simply put, no; however, HDMI 2.1 does unlock advanced features such as 4K at 120Hz, HDR, and low latency mode on next-gen consoles.
Therefore, if you're happy playing your sports games in 4K at 60hz then you can do that on the PS5 and Xbox Series X, but if you're looking to play in 4K at 120Hz or even in 8K at 60Hz then yes you would require an HDMI 2.1 port.
How much should you spend on a TV for sports games?
This really depends on your budget and what features you're looking for as some of the more premium displays will likely come with handy gaming features like faster refresh rates and so on.
However, with an abundance of TVs on the market, there are a number of budget options, like the Hisense 55A6G, that should remain competitive against some of the more high-end items despite their lower price tag.
Ultimately, you should invest in a TV that you can afford as there are plenty of options out there to satisfy all manner of sporting needs.
What size TV should you get for sports games?
The answer to this question really depends on your preference, budget, and available space.
If you're looking for a multi-purpose TV to play games, watch movies, and stream TV shows in your living room, then you may find a larger display to be most beneficial.
However, smaller TVs typically come with better refresh rates and response times, two vital factors which will contribute to your in-game experience. This is why smaller monitors are often the go-to choice for gamers.
We'd suggest choosing a TV between 43" and 55" as this seems to be a good size for both gaming and for watching TV and movies.
Should you invest in an 8K TV now for sports games?
Whether you need an 8K TV right now or not is certainly up for debate and will ultimately come down to personal preference.
In short, 8K TVs are the future, especially considering the next-gen consoles are primed to tackle the resolution, but right now, their 8K capabilities haven't been 'unlocked'.
You also have to consider their premium price tag; however, we are starting to see prices fall slightly as manufacturers make room for newer models.
Right now there is very little 8K content available, but if you're looking to invest for the future, then an 8K TV could be the way to go.
What do OLED and QLED mean?
OLED and QLED relate to the screen panel type, but their functions differ slightly from one another.
OLED relates to a carbon-based film display through which two conductors pass a current, causing it to emit light. This light can be emitted on a pixel-by-pixel basis, so a bright white pixel can appear next to a black pixel without either one affecting the other.
QLED can also emit its own light, in this case through quantum dots, however, they currently just stick to having a backlight passed through them in just the same way that an LCD/LED screen does.
OLED and QLED are typically used for TVs, as shown by our list. However, OLED monitors are becoming increasingly popular, particularly for gaming. So, if you'd prefer a monitor for your sports setup, check out the best OLED gaming monitors right here.
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