If you can’t afford the plethora of subscriptions you need to watch all your favourite sports on TV (and let’s face it, they’re expensive and there are a lot of them), then the best alternative is live streaming. If you do it right, then streaming live sports can be an excellent (and cost-effective) way to keep up with your favourite teams and sports. 

However, things like buffering, lag, or low video quality can be particularly annoying. Imagine it – you’ve got money riding on the latest Champions League game with Boylesports, your team has just been awarded a penalty and then that dreaded circle comes, going round and round – and you have no clue what just happened. It doesn’t get more annoying than that!

So, to make sure you get a nice, smooth streaming experience, you need to make sure your computer performance and internet connection are up and running and fully optimised. With that being said, here are some top tips to help you get the best sports streaming experience.

Make Sure Your Computer’s Performance is Optimum

There’s no denying that your computer plays a major role in how well your stream runs. Here are some of the ways you can make sure it’s always in top shape:

Close Unnecessary Applications

If you have lots of applications open and running at the same time, it can slow down your system. Before streaming, close any programs and background processes you aren’t using, which will then free up memory and CPU resources. You can check the apps that are running by either opening your Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac).

Keep Your Computer Updated

You also need to make sure that your operating system, drivers, and browser are all up to date. Updates usually contain performance enhancements and security fixes – and these can all help to improve the quality of your streaming.

Clear Your Cache and Cookies

Over time, any cached files and cookies will start to slow your browser. That’s why you should make sure that you regularly clear them – as this can really help you improve your streaming speed. Most browsers will let you clear cache and cookies in the settings menu, either under “Privacy” or “History.”

Disable Browser Extensions

There are also some browser extensions that can interfere with your video playback. If you are having issues, try disabling unnecessary extensions and see if your stream starts to improve.

Check for Any Malware and Viruses

If there is any Malware on your computer, it can consume your bandwidth and processing power, which will have a negative effect on your streaming experience. If you think this is the case, then run a reputable antivirus scan to double-check whether your computer is free of malicious software.

Improve Your Internet Connection

You also need to make sure your internet is up to speed… literally

Use a Wired Connection

Wi-Fi can be notoriously unreliable, especially during high-traffic periods – like when a big sporting event is in play. If it is possible, it’s a good idea to connect your computer directly to the router using an Ethernet cable, as this should give you a more stable connection.

Upgrade Your Internet Plan

You get what you pay for. You can check your internet speed using services like Speedtest.net – and for a decent stream, you’ll need at least 10-15 Mbps – and 4K streaming will need 25 Mbps or more. If you don’t have this speed, you might want to upgrade your plan or consider getting a brand new router altogether.

Make Sure There Aren’t Lots of Other Devices on the Network

Too many devices using the same network can really slow down your connection. If other people are using it to stream, game, or download large files, it can massively reduce your available bandwidth.

Other Top Tips for Getting the Best Experience

Finally…

Use a VPN with Caution

If you’re using a VPN, be aware that it could be slowing down your connection, so make sure you choose a high-speed VPN that has dedicated streaming servers.

Check Your Data Usage

If you do have a data cap, be careful as watching sports in HD or 4K can take up a lot of data… quickly.

Test It Before a Big Event

Before an important game, you might want to test your streaming setup to make sure it’s all running smoothly. Run a speed test, close your background applications, and restart your router if needs be.

Hopefully, by following these steps, you’ll get to enjoy a great live sports stream experience!