Biggest Sporting Events To Bet On
Betting on sports is a popular pastime across the world, with several jurisdictions legalizing the activity. From the Super Bowl to the FIFA World Cup, there are plenty of sports events that punters bet on. Here are the five biggest showdowns for bettors looking for interesting betting markets on their favorite sports.
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup is among the most eagerly awaited sports events by bettors across the world. This iconic soccer competition is hosted every four years, bringing together the best national sides globally.
In 2022, sports bettors worldwide wagered over $34 billion on this premier sports event, recording 65%. Increase from the 2018 iteration. The FIFA World Cup will play again in 2026, with France, Brazil, and England ranking as early favorites for the title at the Betway sportsbook.
The Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the league championship showdown of the National Football League. This premier sports event takes place on the second Sunday of February since 2022, bringing together the best NFL teams every season.
In 2023, Super Bowl LVII attracted approximately 113 million viewers and around $16 billion in bets. The number of bets placed increased by 35% in Super Bowl LVIII in 2024, with sports punters placing bets worth over 23 billion. The next Super Bowl Competition will take place in 2025, with the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers ranking as bet way favorites to win the competition.
March Madness
Basketball has experienced global popularity over the years, ranking second behind soccer in fan engagement. The March Madness tournament brings together basketball enthusiasts to watch and bet on some of the best NCAA Division 1 match-ups.
The 2023 March Madness attracted an impressive viewership of 10 million people, leading to an estimated $15.5 billion in wages during the whole tournament. The main tournament features 64 teams and starts on Thursday and Friday for the first full week in March.
The UEFA Champions League
The Champions League is among the most closely followed soccer events throughout the year. This soccer competition features elite teams across Europe every season, making it incredibly popular with sports punters.
From the qualifying rounds to the final in June 2025, this season’s UEFA Champions League will feature a new format and plenty of betting opportunities. Manchester City and Real Madrid are the clear favorites for the trophy this season and are the tournament's last two winners. Other contenders include Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Arsenal and PSG.
Kentucky Derby
Arguably the most popular horse racing competition, the Kentucky Derby has been a favorite among bettors since 1875. The tournament takes place at the Churchill Downs Racetrack in Kentucky, which welcomes over 150,000 horse racing fans.
The Kentucky Derby brings together 20 of the finest horses in the world running through the one and quarter miles, with over $179 million wagered every year. There are plenty of preparation races that you can look at to get a sense of how every horse performs and there are plenty of betting markets to choose from.
