Here are 25 must-watch sporting documentaries

Some of my favourite sports stories, if you're bunkering down this January.

I’ve set one rule here, which is I’ve selected no multi-episode miniseries. Obviously, The Last Dance is probably the premier sporting documentary of our time, but at 10 episodes is an absolute beast—not to mention who hasn’t seen it at this point? Other multi-episode documentaries worth checking out are Sunderland Til I Die, Drive To Survive, the Aaron Hernandez “Killer Inside” investigation and the Last Chance U series. There’s too many to mention. But this list features documentaries worth picking up at a moment’s notice and not being signed up for a multi-night event. Some are barely an hour long.

Naturally, there are several 30 for 30 documentaries in the list. It is impossible to do otherwise, as many, many great documentaries have been produced under this banner, but if nothing in this list tickle your fancy then throw a dart at the longlist of 30 for 30 produces shows and you’ll be onto a winner. There’s also a couple from Netflix’s Untold series, which is very good and definitely worth picking up from episode one and letting it roll from there.

You Don’t Know Bo | I went in to this having never heard of Bo Jackson. I came out obsessed with a dual baseball and American football hero with a what if story for the ages. He could do everything and the mystique surrounding his rise makes for some captivating stories and perfect documentary fodder.

Palio | A documentary about the Palio di Siena, a horse race held in, eh, Siena twice annually. It’s absolutely mental and this 2015 doc, following two jockeys in the run-up to the race, is top class.

The Alpinist | There’s plenty in his rock climbing / free soloing genre, such as Free Solo and The Dawn Wall, but The Alpinist stuck with me the most. It follows elusive Marc-André Leclerc who climbs not for fame but just because he can. Like Bo Jackson, he’s a bit of a mythical figure, and at times even the documentary makers have trouble tracking him down. An excellent watch with a gut-kicking twist.

Senna | The much-loved, award-winning show from Asif Kapadia. A standard for any documentary list of any genre.

Without Bias | A haunting and cautionary tale from ESPN’s 30 for 30, telling the story of Len Bias—who died from a heart attack just days after the Boston Celtics selected him in the 1986 NBA Draft.

Bobby Fischer Against The World | Chess has had a mainstream boom over the past year or two and I’m happy to include this excellent documentary on the very aloof chess genius Bobby Fischer.

The U | A very entertaining look at the bad boys of college football—the 1980s Miami University Hurricanes, who won three National Championships in four years. The follow up (The U: Part) is also worth checking out, with more familiar names from the early 2000s. Now, I patiently await something on the 2008 Florida Gators.

Once Brothers | Another excellent 30 for 30 offering, on two Yugoslav basketballers Vlade Divac and Dražen Petrović who were once teammates until the war drove an unreconcilable divide between the two.

Catching Hell | The bizarre and quite sad tale of Steve Bartman who caught a ball during the 2003 National Championship Game 6 ahead of his own Chicago Cub player Moises Alou. The Cubs eventually lost the series and the fume and venom from the fanbase quickly turned to the quiet Bartman. This looks at the fascinating story, as Bartman refused any interviews or public appearances in the aftermath.

Broke | This documents some US athletes’ inability to manager their money and how being in with the wrong crowd and lending an ear to the wrong people can see their fortunes dwindle quickly after retirement.

Malice at the Palace | From Netflix’s Untold series, this tells the tale of the mass brawl between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons in 2004. Thoroughly entertaining, especially if you’re going in cold on the events.

The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist | Another from Netflix is the utterly bizarre catfish story that rocked US sport in 2013 when it was revealed that Manti Te’o, an NFL Draft prospect, had a deceased girlfriend that never existed. It was a huge story at the time that left Te’o’s reputation and future in tatters, and this documents the entire story from both sides for the first time.

Next Goal Wins | The heart-warming tale of American Samoa and their dreams of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.

Diego Maradona | Another from Kapadia, this excellent portrayal of the life and story of Diego Maradona. From the opening scenes, this is in a must-watch masterpiece.

Pelé | An excellent look at the life and times of the now sadly departed Pelé.

Athlete A | A seminal Netflix show on the US gymnastics scandal, which saw the eventual downfall of Larry Nassar—but not without the immense bravery of the girls who experienced his disgusting abuse.

Beyond The Mat | Yes, a wrestling documentary and the premier one at that—1999’s behind the curtain look at wrestling, getting a revealing insight into the lives of some of wrestling’s most beloved characters at various stages of their careers, plus time behind the scenes at WWF and inside the bizarre mind of Vince McMahon.

Plane Ride From Hell | If you want to continue the wrestling twist, the Dark Side of the Ring series (wrestling’s 30 for 30 equivalent) is excellent and this one—documenting an infamous private flight from 2002 where some heavily intoxicated wrestlers caused utter havoc is a great place to start.

Finding Jack Charlton | Good luck keeping a dry eye on this story with Jack Charlton towards the end of his life as he battles dementia and lymphoma.

The Two Escobars | Another 30 for 30 classic on the death of Andres Escobar and the intertwining with Colombian drug lord Pablo.

Every Heart Beats True: The Jim Stynes Story | A powerful account of Dublin’s AFL export Jim Stynes as he battled cancer and was beloved by all who knew and supported him.

Hoop Dreams | The original great sporting documentary that is a beast at over three hours long and paved the road for series like Last Chance U and QB1 decades later.

Andre The Giant | An intimate portrayal of the larger than life Andre The Giant, a fantastic watch for wrestling fans and documentary enjoyers alike on a charming and unique character.

When We Were Kings | Another mid-90s classic, this chronicles the Rumble In The Jungle between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.

Icarus | A modern great of sorts, which starts with one guy trying to dope through an amateur cycling race and finds himself immersed in the world of major international sports doping and the scandal involving Grigory Rodchenkov.

I’d love to hear some of your favourites and any hidden gems I’ve missed…