Alerts when a game gets close
What you get told
The Lineup Is watches every game on tonight's slate and sends an alert when one gets good: your team's game is starting, it's close in the final minutes, it's going to overtime, or it's final. You set your own bar, Casual, Balanced or Hardcore, and with Pro we also tell you when any game clears it, whoever is playing. The game that just got good also moves to the front of your Live Activity on the lock screen.
What counts as close
Close means one score in the last minutes, when the result is still in doubt, not a tie at the start of the fourth quarter. Overtime always counts. When live win probability is available, the alert also waits for a real swing, so a routine basket in a game that stays one-score doesn't buzz your phone.
| League | Close means |
|---|---|
| NBA, WNBA | Within 6 points in the last 3 minutes of the fourth quarter, or overtime |
| Men's and women's college basketball | Within 6 points in the last 3 minutes of the second half, or overtime |
| NFL, college football | Within 8 points in the last 2 minutes of the fourth quarter, or overtime |
| NHL | Within 1 goal in the last 3 minutes of the third period, or overtime |
| MLB, college baseball | Within 2 runs in the ninth inning or later |
| Soccer (Premier League, Champions League, MLS, NWSL and the other leagues and cups we cover) | Within 1 goal from the 85th minute, or extra time |
Tennis, golf and racing have no close-game alert. The ranking still tells you which match, round or race is worth watching.
Free and Pro
- Free: alerts for up to three favourite teams when their games are starting, close, in overtime or final, plus a daily digest and an evening heads-up with tonight's best games. Tonight's top game also starts a Live Activity on your lock screen by itself.
- Pro: alerts for every game above your bar, not only your teams; a custom bar; league weights; unlimited teams; and a Live Activity for any game you pick. $4.99 a month or $29.99 a year, with a 7-day free trial on the annual plan.
You stay in control of the volume: Minimal sends up to two a day about your teams, and with Pro, Balanced sends up to five and Everything up to ten. Quiet hours keep the phone silent overnight. Watching later? Hide Scores keeps the result out of every alert.
Questions
Is there an app that alerts you when a game gets close?
Yes. The Lineup Is, a free iPhone app, sends an alert when a game is one score in its final minutes or goes to overtime, for your favourite teams on the free plan and for every game above your bar with Pro. The game also moves to the front of your Live Activity on the lock screen.
When does the close-game alert fire?
In the final minutes, not at the start of the last period: within 6 points in the last 3 minutes for basketball, within 8 in the last 2 minutes for football, within 1 goal in the last 3 minutes for hockey, within 2 runs from the ninth inning for baseball, and within 1 goal from the 85th minute for soccer. Overtime always counts.
Are the alerts free?
Alerts for up to three favourite teams are free: starting, close, overtime and final. Alerts for any game that clears your bar, whoever is playing, come with Pro.
Does it alert me for tennis or golf?
There is no close-game alert for tennis, golf or racing. Every match, round and race is still ranked by how worth watching it is, so you know which one to put on.
Can I get alerts without the score spoiling the game?
Yes. Turn on Hide Scores and alerts tell you a game is worth watching without saying who leads or who won.
Get The Lineup Is on iOS — free — or see tonight's best games ranked right now.
More guides: Spoiler-free sports · Scores on the lock screen · Thuuz alternative