Key Moments:
- Sweepmate has launched as a UKGC-licensed, real-money, pool-based app for iOS and Android users
- The platform allows live trading of team selections during each Premier League “Sprint”
- Nine different teams have placed first and fourth in the initial 11 gameweeks of the Premier League on Sweepmate
Innovative Platform Debuts in the UK Market
Sweepmate has entered the UK gaming landscape with a pool-based real-money platform, aiming to blend elements of sweepstakes, fantasy sports, and trading into a single experience for sports fans. The app, now available for iOS and Android, launched with a feature focused on Premier League predictions and plans to add further sports and events in the future.
The app brings a distinct weekly reset mechanism – every gameweek, the Premier League table refreshes, and players can watch the live standings directly within the app. The standings utilize data provided by Sportradar, a well-known data provider.
Gameplay Mechanics and Prize Distribution
Unlike traditional bookmakers, Sweepmate operates as a UKGC-licensed pool-based platform and does not take a position on the outcome of games or set odds. Instead, it organizes pool-based gameplay, dividing the prize pool based on the number of participants.
Within each Sprint, the distribution of prizes is as follows:
| Placement | Percentage of Prize Pool |
|---|---|
| First place | 50% |
| Fourth place | 20% |
| Last place | 30% |
Players are able to actively participate by trading teams throughout each Sprint, a feature known as “Sweeping,” which introduces additional strategy to the game.
Sweepmate was awarded a UKGC license earlier this year, with the official launch timed to coincide with the upcoming round of Premier League matches.
Leadership and Unique Approach
Sweepmate was established by Lloyd Bidder, who serves as assistant director at a Big Four accountancy firm, and Johnny Barnes, the founder of non-carbonated beverage company Soho Juice Co.
Barnes commented: “The ambition is to fill the void that Draftkings have left with a novel, original game. The format can apply across almost any sports and entertainment event – from the Euros to Eurovision.
“Sweepmate is simple: pick three teams and if they finish first, fourth or last then you win. No new teams are minted 90 minutes before kick-off so there’s a great scarcity value and you can buy or sell teams during the gameweek.
“Sweepmate is not a bookie as we don’t set odds or take a position. Because we’re a pool-based game, we want people to win and we try to provide as much information as possible to players. We pride ourselves on customer service and offer free weekly preview and review shows as well as a complimentary concierge service.
“Our goal is to create a product that keeps fans engaged right across the weekend, whether their favourite club is winning or not. It’s about adding an extra layer of excitement to the Premier League and giving players a reason to stay invested in every result.”
Gameweek Highlights and Scoring System
Sweepmate’s scoring system relies on several statistics, including goal difference, goals scored, shots on and off target, and disciplinary records such as red and yellow cards. As a result, the weekly standings often differ from the official Premier League table.
In the first 11 Premier League gameweeks, the game registered nine different first-place teams, nine different fourth-place teams, and eight different last-place teams. Notably, match outcomes late in the gameweek have repeatedly shifted the winners, with nine of the 11 weeks decided after the 80th minute and eight determined after the 90th minute. Two gameweeks were only settled by the final match.
Last season, Tottenham achieved the highest number of first-place finishes on Sweepmate despite ending up 17th in the official Premier League table. This season, both West Ham and Leeds have experienced finishing at both the top and bottom positions in various weeks.
For example, during gameweek eight (18-20 October), a goal in the last moments of the concluding match (West Ham vs Brentford) determined fourth place. Furthermore, in seven of the eight gameweeks played so far, late goals (82nd minute or later) changed the final standings.
Availability
Sweepmate can be downloaded on both iOS and Android devices.
- Author
Daniel Williams
