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 2K23 and FIFA 23, and how many real-life sports are currently ongoing, which makes finding the right TV to accentuate every tiny detail of your chosen sport that bit trickier.
Fortunately, we've scoured the web to compile a list of our top picks 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 Hisense 55A6G, or you're on the hunt for a top TV for FIFA 23, like this LG OLED evo C2, 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
- Best 4K TV for sports games – LG OLED evo C2
- Best budget TV for sports games – Hisense 55A6G
- Best 8K TV for sports games – Samsung QE65QN900A
- Best TV for sports games under 50" – Samsung 43" AU8000
- Best mid-range TV for sports games – Panasonic TX-50HX580BZ
- Best 120Hz TV for sports games - Sony BRAVIA XR65X90JU
Best 4K TV for sports games - LG OLED evo C2
The LG OLED C2 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.
Furthermore, you get a brighter OLED Evo display than the C1, a new 9 Gen 5 processor, plus VRR, NVIDIA G-Sync, and AMD FreeSync compatibility for smooth, highly detailed gaming action.
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All in all, the LG OLED C2 looks to be a great series of TVs for sports games, especially as you can even pick up a 42" display to better suit a desk gaming setup.
Best budget TV for sports games – Hisense 55A6G
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.
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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.
Best 8K TV for sports games – Samsung QE65QN900A
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.
Best TV for sports games under 50" – Samsung 43" AU8000
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.
Best mid-range TV for sports games – Panasonic TX-50HX580BZ
Panasonic has been making TVs for nearly 70 years, and its TX-50HX580BZ demonstrates the progress they've made for a relatively affordable price tag.
With 4 HDMI cables, there's room to house multiple consoles at once and it comes with an impressive 120hz refresh rate to make sports gameplay super crisp and clear which is vital for giving it an immersive feel.
One nice feature of this TV is that it supports multiple forms of HDR including HDR10 which is ideal for capturing the dynamic colours on the likes of NBA 2K on a PS5 or Xbox Series X.
Panasonic has designed this TV to be easy to use and to be relatively inexpensive so should be a great choice to accompany your top headset for FIFA.
Best 120Hz TV for sports games - Sony BRAVIA XR65X90JU
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 fulfil your sports gaming needs.
Frequently asked questions about TVs
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.
Does a 60hz TV work for next-gen sports games?
Generally speaking, a 60hz TV will work with the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. However, if you're looking for the best experience possible, then we'd recommend something with a higher refresh rate to keep up with the fast-paced action of your favourite sports title.
Opting for something with a 120hz refresh rate or above should ensure you're getting ultra-smooth and crisp gameplay which, when it comes to online competition, might make all the difference between you winning and losing.