> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.nextsportsapi.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quickstart

> Make your first NextSportsAPI request.

Use this quickstart to verify your API key and make a first football data request.

## 1. Get an API key

Create or copy an API key from the NextSportsAPI dashboard.

Keep API keys on the server side. Do not expose production keys in public browser code, public repositories, or mobile app bundles.

## 2. Set the base URL

```text theme={"system"}
https://api.nextsportsapi.com
```

## 3. Add authentication

```http theme={"system"}
Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY
```

## 4. Request league standings

```bash theme={"system"}
curl --request GET \
  "https://api.nextsportsapi.com/v1/football/standings?league=L7K9Q2R&season=2026" \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
```

## 5. Read the response

```json theme={"system"}
{
  "get": "football/standings",
  "parameters": {
    "league": "L7K9Q2R",
    "season": "2026"
  },
  "errors": [],
  "results": 1,
  "paging": {
    "current": 1,
    "total": 1
  },
  "response": [
    {
      "league": {
        "id": "L7K9Q2R",
        "name": "Premier League",
        "country": "England",
        "season": 2026,
        "standings": []
      }
    }
  ]
}
```

## Next steps

* Use `GET /v1/status` to verify account usage and service state.
* Use `GET /v1/football/leagues` to discover league public IDs.
* Use `GET /v1/football/fixtures` for schedules, live scores, and match status.
* Use `GET /v1/football/teams` and `GET /v1/football/players` to build team and player pages.