The Winner 2 Kodi Addon is Dead. Here’s What to Use Instead in 2026.

Last updated on February 8, 2026

Is the Winner 2 Kodi Addon Still an Option in 2026? The Hard Truth

If you’ve been in the Kodi scene for a while, the name Winner 2 probably rings a bell. For years, it was the go-to addon for live sports, thanks to its legendary Sports Schedule. But let’s cut to the chase: in 2026, the streaming landscape has completely changed. Winner 2’s development stopped long ago, and it’s no longer a functional or safe option. Trying to install it today will only lead to script errors and dead links.

But don’t worry. While Winner 2 is now a piece of Kodi history, its legacy lives on in a new generation of addons that have perfected its core concept. In this updated guide, we’ll show you the best alternatives to the Winner 2 Kodi addon dominating the scene in 2026, how to install them safely, and what you need to enjoy live sports with maximum quality and stability.

The Best Winner 2 Alternatives for Live Sports in 2026

The “Sports Schedule” concept that made Winner 2 famous is still the gold standard. Today’s best addons focus on providing a clean interface with events sorted by time and multiple sources for each stream. After extensive testing, these are the three most reliable options you’ll find today:

For a more comprehensive list, check out our updated guide to the best Kodi addons in 2026, where we cover every category.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before Installing ANY Addon

To get modern sports addons working flawlessly and streaming games in high quality, you need to have three key dependencies covered on your Kodi setup:

1. Enable Unknown Sources: This is the non-negotiable first step for installing any third-party addon. If you haven’t done this, you can’t proceed. 👉 Essential Guide: Follow our steps to enable Unknown Sources on Kodi 22 Piers.
2. The Kelebek Installer: While new tools have emerged, Kelebek remains one of the most reliable installers in 2026 for getting addons and their dependencies installed automatically. It’s the spiritual successor to Luar. 👉 Don’t have it? Follow our quick guide to Install and Set Up Kelebek on Kodi.
3. Ace Stream Engine (Horus): The vast majority of high-definition (1080p, 4K) streams use P2P technology (Acestream). For Kodi to play them, it’s mandatory to have the Horus addon installed and configured. 👉 Crucial: If you click a link and nothing happens, it’s 99% certain you’re missing this. You’ll need to install Horus and ensure the ‘Ace Stream Engine’ app is running on your device (especially on Android TV, Fire TV, or PC).

How to Install Apex Sports Step-by-Step (Using Kelebek)

We’ll use Apex Sports as our example, as it offers the most similar experience to the classic Winner 2 addon. The process with Kelebek is straightforward and ensures all necessary scripts are installed along with it.

1. Open Kodi and navigate to Program add-ons.
2. Launch Kelebek.
3. In the category menu, look for the “Sports” icon or the “Video Addons” section.
4. Scroll through the list until you find Apex Sports.
5. Click on its name and select Install.
6. Kelebek will handle the installation of the addon and its dependencies (like ResolveURL). Wait for the success notification in the top-right corner.

That’s it! The addon is now installed and you’ll find it in Kodi’s main menu > Video add-ons.

Troubleshooting Common Kodi Sports Addon Errors in 2026

The same problems tend to pop up regardless of which addon you’re using. Here are the fixes for the most common issues that will save you a headache.

Error: I Click a Link and Nothing Happens

This is still the #1 problem. You click on a sports event, Kodi seems to load for a second, but then kicks you back to the previous menu without playing anything.

• Main Cause: You’re trying to open a P2P/Acestream link without the necessary engine.
• The Fix: You need to install the Horus addon and ensure the ‘Ace Stream Engine’ app is running in the background on your device (Android TV, Fire TV, PC, etc.). Without this engine, Kodi simply can’t process those high-quality links. Many of the old Winner 2 Kodi errors were caused by this exact issue.

Error: ‘Check the Log,’ Constant Buffering, or Stream Never Starts

The video tries to load, you might see the spinning “buffering” circle indefinitely, or it plays for a few seconds and then cuts out.

• Main Cause: Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) is blocking access to the streaming servers. In the US, UK, and other countries, this is a common practice by major carriers like Comcast, Verizon, and BT to combat piracy.
• The Fix: The only 100% effective way to fix Kodi sports buffering and bypass this block is to hide your network traffic. The best tool for this is a VPN. Not only does it prevent ISP throttling, but it also protects your privacy—which is crucial when using P2P networks.

Script Failed / Dependency Error on Installation

If you get a dependency error while installing from the Kelebek Kodi repository or any other source.

• Cause & Solution: Make sure you’re running a recent version of Kodi—at a minimum, Kodi 21 Omega or the current stable release, Kodi 22 Piers. Older versions are no longer compatible with modern Python 3 scripts. If you’re on the fence about upgrading, check out our analysis of what’s new in Kodi 22 Piers and if it’s safe to upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Sports on Kodi