If you’re crazy over football or soccer, we’re pretty sure you’ve heard about Optus Sport. This go-to video streaming platform for football-crazy fans is the brainchild of Optus—one of the country’s major telecommunications players.
Offering live sports video subscriptions is a smart move, considering that the global market continues to rise exponentially. In 2020, the online sports streaming market was worth over USD$ 18 million or about AUD$24 million, with an annual growth rate estimated at 21.26% for eight years. Thus, the sector’s market value can grow to USD$87 million by 2028.
With other choices available on the Australian market, users may have been thinking twice about trying these offerings. So, do you have reasons to hold back before signing up for an Optus Sport subscription? Let’s find out.
The origins of Optus Sport
In 2016, Australian telecom giant Optus mobile snagged a partnership with the English Premier League (EPL), one of the most-watched sports events in the world. This exclusive service continues to this day and attracts viewers of all ages.
In the beginning, EPL was exclusive to Optus mobile and broadband subscribers. Seeing as the market is lucrative, this offering was expanded to residents willing to purchase monthly or annual subscription plans, with or without an Optus Sport voucher.
The 5 reasons
For football fans in the country, nothing beats the services and content offered by Optus Sport. A Tech Radar article has called the platform “The streaming home of football in Australia.” Thus, from getting discounts from an Optus Sport voucher to experiencing superb device support—all at a fraction of the cost—below are the reasons you shouldn’t be on the fence about subscribing.
1. Optus Sport has everything a football fan can dream of
This football-packed streaming service boasts of exclusive broadcasts to EPL season matches and qualifiers. It also has other offerings, including the Women’s Super League, J-League, Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Nations League, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Club World Cup and the 2023 Women’s World Cup, slated in New Zealand and Australia.
Besides watching the games as they happen, subscribers also have access to games on-demand later. But that’s not all; users can also watch conferences before the games, documentaries, and replays to review the action. Optus Sport also secured the largest deal in Australian sports history, spending AUD$ 600 million to extend its exclusive broadcasting rights to the English Premier League until 2028.
2. It’s the most affordable sports streaming service
If you can’t find an Optus Sport voucher online, don’t worry. While a voucher can save you a few dollars, you don’t need it to pay less than other sports streaming services. That’s because it’s the cheapest you can have if you’re a true-blue football fanatic.
A total monthly Optus Sport subscription without a voucher costs AUD$24.99. Meanwhile, the annual package is pegged at AUD$ 199, representing an AUD$100 discount. Comparatively, a basic package for another sports-streaming service, which by the way, doesn’t air Premier League football games, can set you back at AUD$ 25 per month. Another competitor costs a whopping AUD$ 74 per month. All of these offers allow users to stream on two devices simultaneously.
3. There are plenty of add-ons
Besides live and on-demand videos and other special events, Optus Sport also enables users to access Fantasy Premier League features and OS Fitness. This bundled service, which isn’t available to other video streaming platforms, allows users to access thousands of workout sessions.
4. Device compatibility isn’t an issue
Devices with Android, iOS, Android, and Windows operating systems, as well as satellite and smart televisions can stream Optus Sport video. If you’re using a desktop or laptop, sign up with your Optus Sport voucher code to start fulfilling your football needs. Paying for the discounted annual plan lets you register up to four devices and use two devices simultaneously.
Devices supported on Optus Sport
Streaming Devices
- Apple TV (4th generation and above)
- Fetch TV (Mini, 2nd Gen, Mighty)
- Android TV (Android 7 and above)
- Fire TV (1st & 2nd generation)
- Hubbl
Smart TV
- LG Smart TV (2017 models or newer)
- Samsung Smart TVs (2017 models or newer)
Mobile devices
- iPhone (iOS 10.0 and above)
- iPad (iOS 10.0 and above)
- Android (versions 5.0 and above)
Casting
- AirPlay (Apple TV Gen 1-3)
- Chromecast (2nd generation and above)
Gaming consoles
- Xbox One
- Xbox One S
- Xbox One X
5. You can get it at an affordable price
Besides discounted prices courtesy of an Optus Sport voucher, existing Optus broadband and mobile users can freely use Optus Sport content as long as you’re signed up for an eligible plan. In addition, prepaid subscribers can witness uninterrupted football action for 28 days by purchasing it as an add-on service for AUD$5. Non-Optus subscribers can switch to other select plans included in the promo.
In conclusion
As a highly-targeted sports video streaming service, football junkies are guaranteed to have their regular fill of sports action through Optus Sport. If you care less about other games or have reliable access to other sports matches elsewhere, this platform is highly recommended (check out our Optus Sport review to learn more about the service). Without question, this streaming service offers the most content at the lowest price point, trumping its competitors in the market.
Optus Sport Frequently Asked Questions
In order to take advantage of what Optus Sport has to offer, you have to subscribe to the service just like any other sports streaming services in Australia.
The best way to get Optus Sport onto your TV is to use one of the popular streaming devices that are around at the moment, at prices ranging from budget to top-tier. There are Optus Sport apps for Fetch TV, Apple TV and Amazon’s Fire TV, and the latest Google Chromecast with Google TV is supported via an Android TV app that also works on Sony smart TVs. You’ll also find apps for LG and Samsung smart TVs and the Xbox One game console.
While you could share your account login with friends, the service only supports streaming to one device at a time – so it’s probably best to keep your account to yourself so you don’t miss a match! The one exception is Fetch TV – if you’re watching on Fetch TV, you can stream on another device at the same time.
Not any longer – despite making a bid for the rights to the UEFA Champions League, Stan bid higher and got the rights for the next three years. So for that tournament, you’ll need to subscribe to Stan and their sports add-on to watch.
Not surprisingly, Optus Sport is owned and operated by Optus themselves. Optus is owned by Singapore communications giant Singtel, but that company doesn’t have direct involvement in the running of Optus Sport.
Optus has made it easy to stream matches on your TV, with native apps available for Samsung and LG smart TVs, for Android TV (including Sony smart TVs and Google TV devices including Chromecast) and for Apple TV, Fetch TV and Fire TV, as well as the Xbox One game console.
No, not at the moment anyway. With the fierce competition between Telstra and Optus – as well as the fact that Telstra TV is one of the main platforms for Kayo Sports – it would seem unlikely we’ll see Optus Sport on the device any time soon.
Yes, you can watch Optus Sport on any supported device, including iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, Apple TV, Fetch, Android TV, Fire TV, Chromecast, Xbox One, and Samsung and LG smart TVs.
Optus Sport streams all its games at 720p, to ensure a fast frame rate so all the action of every game is captured smoothly and accurately.
At the moment, no, there’s not an Optus Sport app for PlayStation games consoles – just for Xbox One and Xbox Series consoles. Optus has hinted for some time that a PlayStation app might be on the way but, at the moment, you’ll need to watch on another device. Fortunately, the service works on multiple popular devices.
As a subscription service, Optus Sport’s live streaming along with its replays and highlights are only available through the Optus Sport app. However, they do have a channel on YouTube that’s constantly updated with highlights, news and even full-length documentaries, all of which can be watched completely free of charge.
The 2020 men’s UEFA Euros were broadcast live on Optus Sport. It is as yet unconfirmed whether or not the next men’s UEFA Euros competition, in 2024, will be broadcast on the service. The 2022 women’s UEFA Euros will be available to watch live or later on demand with Optus.
Led by Mel McLaughlin, Optus Sport’s on-screen presenting team comes with a formidable knowledge of football and its culture. They’ve got access to a pool of expert commentators and presenters, including Socceroos legends such as Mark Schwarzer, John Aloisi, Craig Moore, Kevin Muscat, Luke Wilkshire, Scott McDonald and Mark Milligan, and former Matildas Heather Garriock, Alicia Ferguson and Amy Chapman. Depending on the location of the games being played, there’s also a roster of well-known international names on tap, including former Denmark captain Thomas Sorensen, ex-England players Michael Bridges, Emile Heskey, Wes Brown, Sue Smith and Karen Carney, and former internationals Carl Robinson of Wales, Spaniard Gaizka Mendieta, and Portugal’s Luis Boa Morte.
On most devices, you can only stream games live as they happen, or stream a replay of the game later. However, if you are a Fetch TV subscriber and have their hard-drive-equipped Mighty box, not only can you record any game you like, but you can also series-link your favourite team or teams so all their games are automatically recorded for you to watch whenever it suits you.
The Champions League and Europa League have received unprecedented coverage from Optus Sport. The Optus Sport team continues to change the way football is aired in Australia, and they also continue to attract new fans who appreciate what Optus Sport does.