For sports fans, the teams we support can almost feel like an extension of our identity. We invest countless hours watching the highs and lows, turning what is supposed to be a ‘fun game’ into an event that more often than not dictates our mood throughout the day, week and sometimes even the entire month. 

Be it soccer, Formula 1 (F1), hockey, or football, this emotional attachment is universal among sports fans. So every now and then, when a new sports documentary or series is released on the inner workings of the teams we love, we are drawn in like a moth to a flame. Here, The Varsity presents to you a list of sports reality shows to watch for casual and hardcore fans alike.

Drive To Survive 

Drive to Survive takes us behind the scenes into what is regarded as one of the most exclusive sports in the world. Each season of the series spans a calendar year of everything that happens beyond the races, with each episode usually focusing on one of the 10 teams in F1. It covers driver and team manager testimonies, giving fans a look into all the highs and lows from a different perspective. 

What the series does well is that it does not necessarily need its audience to be a fan of F1 to enjoy it. The drama and rivalries are well-written, keeping fans of the show on the edge of their seats. However, this is simultaneously the show’s shortcoming. 

Since there is a need to keep viewers engaged, the show has often been criticized for making mountains out of molehills. For example, four-time F1 World Champion Max Verstappen refused to be in season four of the series because they ‘faked’ rivalries. If you can cut through the noise, however, this is still a show worth watching.

All Or Nothing 

All or Nothing is a series that showcases individual seasons of particular teams in soccer, football, hockey, and rugby. But in my opinion, what they do best is soccer. From Arsenal to the German National team, there are quite a few sub-series to choose from. What makes the series stand out as a whole, though, is its balance between on-pitch drama and off-pitch storytelling. 

In the Manchester City series, fans get to see fiery speeches from their team’s managers and coaching staff before the game, allowing a closer glimpse into team culture and strategy. Unlike some other sports documentaries that can feel overly dramatized, All or Nothing often benefits from the natural stakes of soccer, such as relegation battles and mid-season tournaments. 

While episodes can sometimes feel like a polished public relations (PR) product for the clubs involved, the raw emotions of players and managers make it an authentic and gripping watch. My only criticism of the series would be that it is geared more towards seasoned fans as opposed to casual watchers. 

Faceoff: Inside The NHL 

What would a list about sports shows in a Canadian publication be without a bit of hockey? Similar to Drive to Survive, Faceoff looks into the recent NHL season, with each episode focusing on a different team and its players. The very first episode opens with the Toronto Maple Leafs, with a focus on William Nylander. 

So far, we have seen that with sports reality, the over dramatization and a focus on good PR can take away some of the authenticity. However, with a sport like hockey, this red tape is barely present. In the opening minutes, once viewers see Nylander have a go at his teammates, saying, “F—ing shoot it! Stop f—ing crying! This is the f—ing issue, you guys f—ing b—- about s—-. Let’s f—ing go!” they know they are going to be in for a wild ride. 

The rest of the series continues in a similar manner, taking viewers all the way to the Stanley Cup finals. If you enjoy brash and unapologetic personalities and have been looking to get into following the NHL, this series is definitely a must-watch.

Ultimately, there is a plethora of sports reality series to choose from, and the genre seems to only keep growing; Drive to Survive, All or Nothing, and Faceoff: Inside the NHL represent only a drop in the bucket of seemingly endless sports reality television content. However, they exemplify the everlasting interest of audiences in the lives of professional athletes, with the potential to broaden sports viewer demographics.