# Getting started

# Get started with the API

Use the College Football Data REST API to retrieve game, team, player,
recruiting, ranking, and analytics data. Send requests to this base URL:

```text
https://api.collegefootballdata.com
```

## Get an API key

[Request a free API key](https://collegefootballdata.com/key). Keep it out of
source code by storing it in an environment variable:

```bash
export CFBD_API_KEY='your-api-key'
```

## Make your first request

Start by retrieving Michigan's games from the 2023 season:

```http
GET /games?year=2023&team=Michigan
```

Run the same request with cURL:

```bash
curl --get 'https://api.collegefootballdata.com/games' \
  --data-urlencode 'year=2023' \
  --data-urlencode 'team=Michigan' \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer ${CFBD_API_KEY}"
```

A successful request returns a JSON array of game objects.

## Choose how to keep building

- Use the [API reference playground](/api/games#getgames) to inspect the games
  operation, enter parameters, and send a live request.
- Keep using raw HTTP for direct control over requests and responses.
- Use the [Python quickstart](/libraries/python) to retrieve data with the
  official Python package.
- Use the [TypeScript quickstart](/libraries/typescript) to call typed
  operations with the official TypeScript package.

Before building further, review [Authentication](/authentication) for
credential guidance and [Usage and access](/usage-and-access) for current
access information and common API responses.

Prefer the new API reference for current documentation. If you need the
previous interface, the [legacy Swagger
UI](https://api.collegefootballdata.com/swagger) remains available during the
transition.