How Memorystore helps FanCode stream 2X more live sports

Editor’s note: FanCode needed to deliver low-latency, personalized sports content to millions of fans while scaling rapidly. By migrating to Google Cloud and adopting Memorystore for Redis Cluster, FanCode built a fully integrated, scalable backend infrastructure that supports real-time features and high-traffic live events. Today, FanCode streams 2x more live events annually with consistent performance and reliability, enhancing fan engagement and meeting the demands of modern sports enthusiasts.

At FanCode, India’s premier sports destination, we bring the thrill of sports to fans across India. With a diverse catalog of content, FanCode satisfies every fan's craving, whether it's cricket in Mumbai or football in Goa. And for fans of speed, we offer something truly special: As the exclusive streaming home for Formula One racing in India, we deliver all the on-track action with unparalleled coverage, bringing you closer to one of the world's most exciting motorsports.

Our goal at FanCode is to deliver content reliably and in real time, with features like live scores, player stats, and tailored recommendations based on fan preferences, viewing history, and regional interests. But as our platform grew to serve millions, managing this level of content delivery became increasingly complex.

Redis plays a critical role in our backend infrastructure, providing the essential caching layer to support fast data retrieval, low-latency streaming, and real-time processing. Originally, we hosted Redis on AWS, but as we migrated to Google Cloud, maintaining Redis separately introduced latency issues that impacted our service’s speed and reliability. Other self-hosted Redis providers had unsustainable pricing models and would have required extensive changes to our core adapter SDKs, stretching our small team’s resources. We needed Redis to align with our Google Cloud infrastructure for a more flexible, scalable, and fully integrated solution — and Memorystore for Redis Cluster was our answer.

Scoring low latency with Memorystore for Redis Cluster

FanCode’s application infrastructure, hosted entirely on Google Cloud, uses a load balancer to direct traffic to an edge service that routes requests to a gateway managing multiple microservices. Each microservice relies on a dedicated database and Memorystore for Redis Cluster to maintain fault tolerance, performance, and scalability. Memorystore’s flexibility lets us start with smaller clusters for lighter workloads and expand as needed — without requiring major adjustments to our architecture. 

As we migrated from AWS, we separated Redis for minimal disruption. Non-persistent workloads were transitioned with zero downtime as cache keys refreshed automatically. For persistent workloads, we used Redis Input/Output tools (RIOT) to carefully migrate data, redirecting requests through a proxy to maintain continuity. Google Cloud’s support throughout this process allowed us to maintain business continuity and optimize performance.

With Memorystore for Redis Cluster sitting at the core of our infrastructure, our scalable content delivery pipeline can support thousands of live sports streams annually and uninterrupted viewing across web, mobile, and TV platforms, even during peak traffic. This fully managed service integrates seamlessly with our Google Cloud environment, so we can scale easily as demand increases. During live events, where large spikes in concurrent viewers require both high performance and reliability, this caching layer is especially crucial.

Furthermore, we’re able run advanced analytics within this pipeline to provide personalized recommendations based on fan preferences. Real-time data processing powers interactive features like live scores, match statistics, and player analytics, transforming fan engagement into a more immersive experience. Memorystore for Redis Cluster supports these backend functions with fast data caching and retrieval, enabling us to connect fans with real-time insights. 

Streaming millions of moments with consistent performance

With Google Cloud, FanCode is not just scaling but elevating the fan experience. We’re breaking new ground in sports media, creating a platform that’s as interactive and dynamic as our fans. Today, FanCode serves over 160 million users and streams billions of minutes of live sports content annually, with sub-second latency that ensures smooth viewing. 

Managed services have lightened our operational load, as our small team can focus on innovation rather than database maintenance. The ability to scale Redis clusters based on real-time demand optimizes both performance and costs while strong SLAs provide high availability, which is critical during high-stakes events. Downtime during these moments can mean lost revenue and disappointed fans, so Google Cloud’s stability has been key in supporting a seamless experience. 

Our infrastructure now allows us to support over 15,000 live events each year — more than double the previous year’s volume. The reliability and scalability of Google Cloud have been essential to this growth, delivering uninterrupted, high-quality streaming that keeps fans coming back for more. With this robust, integrated infrastructure, FanCode is meeting the demands of modern sports enthusiasts and achieving our business goals.

Ready to get started with your own Memorystore implementation? 

Check out our product and documentation pages to learn more about Memorystore for Redis Cluster.