Five top sports documentaries to get you through January

January is such a dreary month, isn’t it?

The highs of the Christmas period already seem a lifetime ago as the reality of being back in the throws of the Monday-Friday, business as usual life takes hold. However, January is also the perfect month to just kick back and relax of an evening or weekend as there really is very little else going on. Dry January, anyone?

For those that love sport, and to some extent, even if you don’t, there are a huge number of superb sports documentaries available to stream on various platforms (most for free). So, the next time you’re sat in front of the TV wondering what to watch next, have a look at our top five picks of sport documentaries.

Messi - Football (BBC)

If you didn’t manage to check this out before the World Cup, it is sure to move to the top of your list. This documentary follows the journey of Lionel Messi, the newly crowned World Cup winner and one of football’s all-time greats. From speaking to people who knew him when he was a shy youngster to his former teammates at club and international level, the BBC tries to give the viewer the best insight into the Argentine superstar. 

The Last Dance - Basketball (Netflix)

Even for the basketball sceptics of the world (read: most of us in the UK) there seldom exists a more inspiring sporting story than that of Michael Jordan, emerging from nothing to become one of the globe's top sporting stars. The Last Dance, a ten-part series released in the depths of the COVID years, covers not just Jordan's remarkable rise but one of his key historical periods with the Chicago Bulls. An Unbelievable story!

Senna – F1 (Amazon Video)

An oldie but a goody, as they say. Senna was the most gifted Formula One driver of his generation, a brilliantly instinctive sportsman whose flame was extinguished way before his time. Senna is a handsome tribute to the man, his talent and his relentless spirit. Yes, it’s been out for some time now (released in 2010), but if you haven’t watched it yet, you really should, regardless of whether you like Formula 1 or not.

Pelé – Football (Netflix)

Pele's death has saddened the football community across the globe as one of the game's greatest legends has passed.

Maybe one of football's most well-known superstars, the legendary Brazilian led his nation to its first-ever World Cup title in 1958 as just a teenager, kickstarting an illustrious career that saw him finish as one of the game's all-time top goal scorers and a three-time World Cup champion. For fans looking to learn more about a giant of football, or who want to reminisce about one of their favourite players of the past, this documentary captures Pelé’s extraordinary path from breakthrough talent to national hero.

Naomi Osaka – Tennis (Netflix)

After winning back-to-back Grand Slam tennis titles at the 2018 US Open and the 2019 Australian Open, Naomi Osaka was on top of the sports world. Not too long after, though, Osaka stepped aside during the pandemic to focus on her mental health, a decision that people both celebrated and jeered.

This is not your usual sports documentary, but well worth a watch. The filmmakers did an amazing job of turning the tennis player’s story into an exploration of both life on the court and the vast spaces around it. It is about loneliness and self-discovery as much as it is about tennis, and it is beautifully done.

If any of these sport documentaries has fired up a desire to attend one of the top sporting events in the UK this year, we’re here to help. Pantheon Hospitality specialise in official corporate hospitality packages at the biggest and best sports events.

As an independent hospitality company with a wealth of industry knowledge, we will work closely with you to understand your needs and offer the package that is right for you. Our small team offer a friendly, personalised service and will assist with any enquiry you have. If we are unable to help (we probably will be able to), we will happily point you in the right direction and offer any useful advice we can.

If you are interested in experiencing the very best events, and looking for a personalised service, next time you are booking a corporate hospitality package, please get in touch with us.