Biggest football tournaments to bet on
- Planet Sport writer
- 25 January 2024
Football is the world's most beloved sport, and the biggest tournaments in the world, like the World Cup and Champions League, captivate global audiences while driving massive betting interest.
These high-profile football events keep fans glued to the action while producing intriguing wagering markets.
If you want betting action, value and excitement, targeting premier football tournaments is vital. Let's explore marquee competitions that are perfect for sports bettors.
Popularity of football betting
Football and wagering go hand-in-hand. According to FIFA, over 265 million people actively participate in football, while many more tune in as spectators.
This massive interest fuels a thriving sports betting industry where fans regularly bet on soccer tournaments.
Canada mirrors these international betting trends. Football trails only hockey and basketball for total wagers placed by Canadian bettors across online sportsbooks.
Globally, respected research confirms football tournaments lead all sports tracked in total money risked by bettors. Why does tournament football betting deliver so profoundly season after season?
Mass appeal & markets: Soccer tournaments captivate worldwide audiences while condensing talent and stakes. This allows oddsmakers to explore extensive and creative betting options.
Drama & uncertainty: Major tournaments routinely deliver surprises, comebacks and triumphant underdogs going on Cinderella runs. These dramatic moments fuel wagering.
Passion & familiarity: Football fans are often strongly associated with favorite countries and clubs. Their expertise breeds confidence in picking teams to wager on.
Scope & sheer volume: From World Cup group stages toward the final, tournaments host dozens of monumental, betting-rich matchups over weeks.
Top football tournaments
If you enjoy betting on the beautiful game, these are the top football tournaments to target.
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FIFA World Cup
Held every four years, this event crowns football's best international side from 32 qualifying countries. The tourney has delivered legendary winners like Pele’s Brazil, Maradona’s Argentina and Zidane’s France across 21 editions. And with viewership exceeding 3.5 billion, it stands tall as the sport's most-watched event.
The World Cup betting bonanza features endless props, pools, futures, and game lines pegged to every fixture. Wager on selections like:
Outright Winner.
- Top Goalscorer
- Reaching the Final
- Group Winners & Placings
- Player Performance Props
- Match Correct Scores
As teams survive the group phase, betting heats up, entering the high-stakes knockout rounds. Analyze squads, tactics and matchups to capitalize on odds and close lines during this month-long football betting feast.
UEFA European Championship
The second most prestigious international football event takes place every four years as countries battle for continental superiority. Spain and France have each lifted the trophy three times since 1960, when this 24-nation competition was founded.
Gifted but overlooked teams often shine bright at the Euros. Denmark and Greece have pulled major upsets despite entering as long-shot underdogs. This uncertainty and wide-open field add intrigue to winning bets:
- Overall Winners
- Player Goalscorers
- Group Finishing Position
- Match Spreads & Totals
- Game Props
- Squad Futures
With Europe boasting over a dozen football powerhouses, be ready to act on odds fluctuations throughout the event.
Summer Olympics Football Tournament
Under-23 national football squads take center stage every Olympic cycle aiming for gold. South American giants Brazil and Argentina captured medals early, though 2016 witnessed Germany's thrilling victory on penalties versus Brazil after being down a goal.
Expect betting sites to post Team Podium Finish odds and deeper pre-tournament and matchday markets:
- Medal Winners
- Top Goalscorers & Assists
- Group Outright Winners
- Match Spreads & Totals
- Player Prop Bets
- Live In-Game Wagering
Identify up-and-coming 18-23-year-old talents heading into the Olympics and monitor roster announcements to capitalize on betting value.
UEFA Champions League
The world’s premier club football competition features top domestic league teams clashing for over nine months, culminating in the crowning of European champions.
Real Madrid owns 13 titles, though English clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United have also shined.
Betting markets here reflect the Champions League’s popularity, including:
- Outright Winners
- Top Goalscorers
- Game Totals
- Player Prop Bets
- Match Spreads
- Specials like “Who Qualifies.”
Analyze early value plays on bracket winners and top scorers before closing stages and send more profits to eventual victors. Live betting is also hugely popular as odds shift throughout contests.
Here is a table showing the last winners and their pre-season odds during this league:
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UEFA Europa League
Although the Europa League takes a backseat to the Champions League, it remains a coveted title for Europe’s secondary clubs, plus organizing a gruelling competition featuring nearly 50 sides in the group stages.
Sevilla has dominated recently, lifting six EL trophies since 2005. Premier League and La Liga clubs are battling for hardware here too.
Expect similar betting markets to the Champions League:
- Outright winners
- Top scorers & player props
- Match spreads & totals
- In-play wagering
Since elite clubs drop down from the UCL plus compete alongside minnows, extensive analysis of rosters, form and tactics is required to achieve betting profits.
Women’s Tournaments
Beyond the men’s game, women’s football has also overgrown to fuel a relatively untapped betting market. Tournaments like the FIFA Women’s World Cup and regional competitions like Euro 2022 allow wagering on outright victors, game totals, props and more.
Despite lacking mainstream visibility, professional female leagues and tournaments offer excellent betting value. Study players and teams closing and act quickly as markets open around these events for an edge.
Africa Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations, established in 1957, is Africa's premier international football championship. Featuring 24 national teams, it's a showcase of the continent's immense football talent and diversity.
With seven titles, Egypt has been the most successful team in the tournament's history.
Copa América
Copa América, the oldest international continental football competition, was first played in 1916 and involved South American national teams. It's celebrated for its rich history and the legendary players it has produced. Uruguay leads the title count with 15 victories, closely followed by Argentina and Brazil.
FAQ
What tournament sees the most football betting action?
As the world's biggest football event, this event produces unmatched betting handles and global interest from fans and bookmakers. Expect over $150 billion wagered on the 2026 tournament.
Should I bet on football tournaments differently than league matches?
Major tournament action comes fast and dramatic. This calls for patient and selective betting while the field and form materialize through group stages. Target live betting for strong teams as odds shift and hedge bets to capitalize on volatile knockout rounds.
What online betting sites offer odds on football tournaments?
Every legal sportsbook will offer World Cup and Champions League odds. Bet365, Betway, Unibet, FanDuel and DraftKings serve Canadians well here. Check promotions as tournaments approach and line shop for your chosen wagers.
Football tournaments enable exhilarating betting across several weeks as the best clubs and countries collide. Bring your insight plus patience and watch your bankroll and excitement levels grow throughout unforgettable events.
