The Art of Live Blogging Football Matches: Tips and Techniques

Sports, debates, fashion shows – you name an event, and there is a prime opportunity for live blogging.

The practice has emerged as a pivotal aspect of modern journalism. But what exactly does it entail?

Typing away madly at your keyboard while your third eye tries to keep track of who scored the latest goal?

The Basics of Live Blogging

Live blogging is a form of journalism that provides continuous updates on an event as it happens. In the context of football, it involves giving minute-by-minute commentary and analysis. It can be a crucial tool for keeping fans engaged, but more importantly, it can be a helpful tool for driving traffic to your site.

It doesn’t matter if your blog is about one specific team, an ode to the best women’s football players, or a breakdown of the latest Premier League odds – finding ways to engage readers is an important way to expand viewership.

The real-time nature of live blogging allows followers to feel the excitement and immediacy of the match, even if they can’t watch it live. For anyone back at the office, it might be a lifesaver.

Preparing for a Live Blog

They say preparation is key, and they’re not wrong. Anyone who has ever tried to run a charity race without training will know that going in unprepared is painful and will likely lead to immense suffering.

The same principle applies to live blogging. Researching teams, players and recent performances in advance is a crucial tool. Seasoned sports reporters and commentators will often emphasise the importance of understanding team strategies and player histories well before the game begins.

BBC Sport and Opta Sports are two excellent go-to places as they offer reliable and comprehensive statistical data and analysis. Opta data is even used to provide insight and intelligence for sportsbooks, major broadcasters and more.

Essential Tools and Technologies

Every live blogger needs their toolkit. A good place to start is with a robust blogging platform that can handle making updates quickly and efficiently. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to publish a sensational goal or controversial VAR judgement only to be met with lag or publishing errors.

Social media integration tools also play a key role in disseminating information quickly. You want to ensure that your updates reach your audience, wherever they are. Platforms that allow easy sharing to Instagram, X (formally known as Twitter) or Facebook are helpful to have a more direct line to your readers.

For tool recommendations, consulting technology experts or reputable tech reviews can provide valuable guidance (including the vast array of blog posts and recommendations available on this page). Other considerations to take into effect are mobile compatibility, analytics tools, and reliable hosting.

During the Match – Engaging and Informative Content Creation

The essence of live blogging is speed, but swiftness should not compromise clarity. Live blogging language should be clear and concise, while also doing the necessary work to paint a picture for the reader of what it’s like to see the match.

Accurately reporting core details – goals, fouls, substitutions – is essential, but how you present the information can make the difference between a dry play-by-play and an engaging live portrayal of the action. After all, football is a game of emotions.

While it’s important to maintain a level of objectivity, your passion for the game should shine through. Enthusiasm is often contagious. However, unless your blog is about a specific team, avoid clear favouritism that could alienate audience members who may be rooting for the other team.

Interacting with Your Audience

This part is fun. If you’re a football fan – which, hopefully, you are if you have a football blog – you have the opportunity to engage and interact with fellow football fans. Utilising social media and comment sections effectively can create a sense of community and interaction.

Consider running live polls, which is a quick and interactive way to gauge your audience’s opinions. For example, you could ask about who they think will score next or rate player performances. It’s a fast and fun way to keep your readers engaged during breaks in play.

Another idea is behind-the-scenes snippets of what it’s like to be live blogging, including photos of your setup or selfies with other reporters or fans. There are several creative and effective strategies to draw from – consider checking out Harvard Business Review or Journalism.org for more ideas.

Post-Match Analysis and Follow-Up

Post-match analysis is as important as the live updates. After the final whistle, your first task is to provide a concise yet comprehensive summary of the game. This includes the final score, key highlights, standout performances, fouls or penalties and any player injuries.

Accuracy cannot be overstated. Double-check player names, statistics, and match events. Misinformation can quickly damage your credibility, so use the calm after the match to do all the necessary fact-checking and make amendments to any information that needs to be corrected.

If you made predictions, set expectations, or reviewed betting odds in your pre-match coverage, now’s the time to compare those with what happened. For inspiration and examples of quality post-match analysis, check out articles in The Guardian and ESPN.