Some sports events are beyond games and tournaments. They are significant moments that create lasting legacies and draw the attention of tons of fans and media worldwide. Due to their immense popularity, these events naturally attract a lot more betting action than others. They create a frenzy of predictions, stakes, and excitement among punters across the globe, from seasoned sharps to those who only wager on big occasions.
In this article, I’ll take you through some of the top 10 sporting events with the biggest betting volume. I’ll discuss why these events are so popular in the betting scene. I’ll also explore the popular types of bets and markets available during these big moments. Let’s get right into it!
As the most popular sport globally, football already enjoys a massive global following. The World Cup, being the most prestigious football tournament on the planet, only further amplifies this popularity. What makes the World Cup even more remarkable is its inclusivity, featuring teams from nearly every corner of the globe. The universal participation draws in fans from various countries around the world. This makes the event not only the most–watched sporting event but also the biggest betting event in history. Also, the excitement of people rooting for their national teams creates an unparalleled atmosphere of solidarity and rivalry. And the unpredictability of match outcomes further leads to a surge in betting activity.
Additionally, the tournament only happens once every four years, adding an elevated level of anticipation that’s hard to match. This is evident in the tournament’s viral viewership, cult-like fan following, and high betting volume. Also, as expected, the event offers almost every football betting market available. This includes popular ones like 1×2, outright winner, correct score, over/under, and diverse prop markets.
With the amount of betting volume that basketball bookmakers handle during this tournament, the term “March Madness” couldn’t be more fitting. Last year alone, Forbes reported a staggering $15.5 billion in bets placed throughout the tournament. This year, it was $2.7 billion, and yes, we’re talking about NCAA Division I college basketball.
Understandably, the tournament is very popular in the US, where basketball is a beloved sport. But what really sets it apart is its thrilling knockout format. 68 college teams from across the country face off in single-elimination games over a few weeks, often leading to unpredictable results. And this exciting style attracts basketball punters worldwide beyond the United States. Like NBA games, you can wager on a wide range of markets in March Madness, including moneylines, point spreads, totals, parlays, and several prop markets.
The Super Bowl is literally worshiped in the United States. But beyond the US soil, it is one of the most heavily-bet sporting events around the world, attracting not only regular punters but also celebrities who flock to the event to make prominent appearances and, sometimes, place high-stake wagers.
Last year, ESPN reported that 50.4 million adults placed around $16 billion in bets on the event in the US. This year that number jumped to over $23 billion from 68 million US adults. The wild part is that the Super Bowl’s reach doesn’t just stop at the US border. Millions of people worldwide also bet on the event legally, leading to an astronomical wagering volume.
During such a special sports event, sportsbooks also go the extra mile with the betting options they offer. Beyond the traditional moneyline, point spread, and over/under bets, you can also find unique prop markets to wager on. This includes predicting how long the national anthem will last or whether the coin toss lands heads or tails, betting on the Gatorade color, etc.
The event takes place yearly on the first Saturday in May at the Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. This race usually records the highest betting volume on horse racing betting sites. The ridiculous part is that it’s just a two–minute race.
At the wire! Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby. pic.twitter.com/2aiutu2mWz
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 4, 2024
Last year, over $188 million was wagered on the competition, and this year, that number jumped to $210 million. It’s often called the most exciting two minutes in sports, but the event isn’t just about horse racing. It’s a major social and cultural event, attracting celebrities, fashion enthusiasts, horse racing fans, and bettors worldwide. You could bet on standard options like win and place or explore unique and complex markets like exacta, trifecta, superfecta, quinella, etc.
The Grand National is another hugely popular horse racing event that takes place in the UK at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool. The race has a rich history dating back to 1839 and is renowned for its unpredictability. But beyond being one of the oldest horse racing tournaments, it is also one of the most bet-on sporting events worldwide.
The event draws a massive crowd every year including members of the royal family and several A–list celebrities. It also attracts the attention of millions of viewers and bettors globally, thanks to its thrill and unpredictability. The long–shot horses in the event often pull an upset and win against solid favorites, making it an exciting experience for bettors.
The Grand National features a wide range of betting markets, including win and place, each–way, forecast, reverse forecast, tricast, etc.
The World Series is an annual Major League Baseball best–of–seven series contested between the winners of the American League and the National League to determine the overall champion.
With over a century of history, it’s a prestigious and popular event in the US, which is why it also attracts a lot of betting volume in the country. But beyond the United States, the World Series is also the most popular betting event in baseball worldwide. The event appeals to millions of international baseball fans and punters, especially from countries with strong baseball cultures like Japan and South Korea.
The NBA Finals is the ultimate showdown that determines the winner of the prestigious NBA championship. The series, which features the Eastern and Western Conference champions competing for the coveted championship trophy, has a massive following in the US and around the globe. This year, it recorded over 11 million viewers in the United States alone, making it one of the biggest events for sports betting in 2024.
What makes the NBA Finals even more exciting for bettors is its format. It’s a best–of–seven series, which means there could be up to seven games to decide the winner. This gives fans and bettors vast opportunities to stay engaged and to place wagers throughout the series. As expected, the NBA covers a wide range of basketball betting markets, including moneyline, point spread, over/under, parlays, team and player props, etc.
Cricket is the second most popular sport in the world, coming only behind football. In fact it is more of a religion in some particular countries like India and Pakistan. This deep-rooted passion is especially evident during tournaments like the Men’s T20 World Cup, which pulls in hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide and, consequently, a relatively high betting volume.
One thing that makes it even more popular is the shorter and fast-paced format. Unlike other cricket formats, each team only plays 20 overs. This style makes the tournament more enjoyable for casual viewers and the younger populace.
Here are some popular betting markets in the T20 World Cup:
Beyond the sheer love for the game, the wide range of betting markets available makes football incredibly appealing to both casual and seasoned bettors. From 1×2, correct score, and BTTS to over/under goals and prop markets, there are a zillion ways to bet online on the sport, especially in a popular tournament like Copa America. Additionally, the sport holds the number one spot on almost every reputable sportsbook.
The Copa America brings together South American football powerhouses, such as Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, to compete for continental glory. It’s also known to always feature some of the best players in the world, including legends like Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Maradona, De Lima, Neymar, and many more.
The AFCON is another major tournament where African countries like Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, and Cameroon compete for the continental championship. Like other major international football tournaments, the event attracts a relatively high betting volume. Notably, besides the sport’s widespread popularity, the football betting market across African countries continues to grow rapidly thanks to the increasing accessibility to online sportsbooks.
Also, the fact that the AFCON is played biennially every January further draws attention to it as there are fewer distractions from other international tournaments.
While almost every sports event has people wagering on them, some popular ones top the charts when it comes to betting volume. One thing all these biggest sports betting events in the world have in common is their immense popularity and global appeal. Also, they offer a vast range of both popular and unique betting options to attract casual and seasoned punters worldwide.
However, it is important to only stick to betting on sports and events you are familiar with. Regardless of how heavy the betting action on an event is, you’re better off avoiding it as a bettor if you don’t fully understand its intricacies. Successful betting goes beyond sheer luck; it requires knowledge, strategy, and analysis. So, focusing on events where you understand the rules, teams, and other vital variables gives you a better chance of making informed decisions.
