What Is Futures Sports Betting?

Futures betting is when you place a wager on a result that will be decided later, like a team winning a championship or a player earning MVP.

These bets cover full seasons, playoffs, or major events and are available across all major sports.

Common examples include NFL futures betting on the Super Bowl, MLB futures betting on win totals, and NBA futures betting on MVP odds.

Futures odds are posted early and may change based on results, injuries, or betting action.

NFL futures betting is one of the most popular long-term markets in the US.

These bets are often placed before or early in the season, with odds shifting weekly based on results, injuries, and betting trends.

• Super Bowl winner (e.g., 49ers +700)

• Division and conference champions

• Season win totals (e.g., Jets over/under 9.5 wins)

• Playoff qualification (yes/no)

• NFL MVP, Offensive/Defensive Rookie of the Year

• First overall draft pick

For example, if you bet $100 on the Lions at +1500 to win the Super Bowl and they go on to win, your payout is $1,500 plus your stake.

Odds can vary week to week and on different NFL betting sites, which is why many bettors place futures before the season starts or after major injuries shake up the market.

Futures can also be used as part of a season-long strategy, especially when combined with hedging late in the year.

NBA futures betting lets you wager on season-long outcomes, from who will win the NBA Finals to which player earns MVP.

Because of the league’s long regular season and trade activity, odds can shift often, giving value to early bets.

• NBA Finals champion (e.g., Celtics +450)

• Conference and division winners

• Season win totals (e.g., Suns over/under 47.5 wins)

• NBA MVP, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year

• Coach of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year

• Series outcomes during the playoffs (e.g., Nuggets to win in 6 games)

Futures bets can be placed at any point during the season on NBA sportsbooks, but early lines often offer better value.

For example, a $50 bet on the Bucks at +900 to win the title would return $450 profit if they win.

If that same team starts hot, those odds could drop to +400 in just a few weeks.

Many NBA fans enjoy futures as a way to stay invested through the long season without betting every game.

MLB futures betting gives fans a way to invest in long-term outcomes across one of the longest seasons in sports.

With 162 games per team, odds shift gradually, and bettors have plenty of time to find value throughout the season on MLB betting sites.

• World Series winner (e.g., Braves +600)

• League and division winners

• Over/under season win totals (e.g., Yankees over 93.5 wins)

• AL and NL MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year

• Most home runs, most stolen bases

• First team to 90 wins or losses

• Best overall regular-season record

For example, a $100 bet on the Mariners to win the AL pennant at +1200 would return $1,200 if they pull it off.

Because baseball has daily games, MLB betting futures odds respond to key injuries, win streaks, and trade deadline moves.

These markets also reward strong research; many sharp bettors spot undervalued teams or breakout players before the public catches on.

NHL futures betting covers everything from team championship odds to individual player awards.

With fewer mainstream bettors than other leagues, hockey futures often have softer lines and more value for informed fans.

• Stanley Cup winner (e.g., Avalanche +800)

• Conference and division champions

• Season point totals (e.g., Devils over/under 98.5 points)

• Hart Trophy (MVP), Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year), Vezina (Top Goalie)

• Most goals, assists, or saves

• Playoff series outcomes (e.g., Oilers to win in 6)

Because hockey is a lower-volume market, sharp bettors look for NHL futures betting value in offseason moves, goaltending trends, and strength of schedule.

For example, a $50 bet on the Canucks at +2000 to win the Cup would return $1,000 if they win.

NHL playoff futures also offer unique series markets, betting on exact outcomes like “Penguins in 7” at longer odds.

Find the best NHL betting sites and their offers here.

NASCAR futures betting allows fans to wager on long-term racing outcomes, especially season championships and race winners.

These markets are typically focused on the NASCAR Cup Series but can include lower series like Xfinity or Truck Series as well.

Popular NASCAR futures markets include:

• Cup Series Champion (e.g., Denny Hamlin +1000)

• Race winner odds posted weeks in advance (e.g., Daytona 500)

• Head-to-head season matchups between drivers

• Most wins in a season

• Manufacturer champion (Ford vs. Chevrolet vs. Toyota)

For example, a $25 bet on Chase Elliott at +1200 to win the Cup Series pays $300 if he finishes first overall in the standings.

Futures betting odds on NASCAR sportsbooks are influenced by recent finishes, team changes, and track history, some drivers dominate on superspeedways, while others specialize on road courses.

Savvy bettors track form and performance by surface type to find drivers undervalued by the market.

Golf futures betting focuses on individual tournaments and long-term outcomes across the PGA Tour and major events.

Since golf is an individual sport with large fields and high variance, futures odds often offer big payouts, even on elite players.

• Major winners (Masters, U.S. Open, PGA Championship, The Open)

• Outright tournament winner (e.g., Rory McIlroy +1200 to win the US Open)

• Top 5, Top 10, or Top 20 finishes

• Player vs. field bets (e.g., “Any other player” vs. Scottie Scheffler)

• Season-long awards like FedEx Cup Champion or PGA Tour Player of the Year

Because fields can include over 100 players, odds are often +1000 or higher, even on favorites.

For example, a $50 bet on Collin Morikawa at +1800 to win the British Open returns $900 if he wins.

Early bets, especially weeks before tee-off, can catch value before odds tighten on golf betting sites.

Golf futures betting often rewards research on course fit, weather, and recent form.

UFC futures betting allows you to wager on long-term outcomes in mixed martial arts, such as future title fights, potential matchups, and division champions.

These markets are more limited than team sports, but still offer valuable spots for fans who track fighter trends and rankings.

• Fighter to win a future title (e.g., Islam Makhachev to hold the lightweight belt by year’s end)

• Next opponent matchups (e.g., Who will Jon Jones fight next?)

• Event headliner odds released in advance (e.g., Adesanya vs. Du Plessis fight winner)

• Championship defense totals

• Fighter of the Year awards (occasionally offered by select books)

For example, if you bet $100 on Sean O'Malley at +600 to win the bantamweight title before the UFC announces the fight, you’ll win $600 if he takes the belt, even if the odds drop to +200 later.

Because UFC futures betting often involves speculative markets, sharp bettors follow fighter contracts, injury news, and rankings to find early value before bouts are officially booked.

Check out top UFC betting sites here.

Some sportsbooks, especially international ones, use the term “outrights” instead of “futures.”

These are the same thing.

Both refer to long-term bets on championships, awards, or season outcomes.

If you see “outright winner,” you’re still in the futures betting market.

Futures markets can offer big returns, but they also come with long-term risk.

These quick tips can help you get better value and avoid common mistakes.

1. Shop around for the best odds: Different sportsbooks may post different lines for the same outcome. Use multiple books to find the highest return for your pick.

2. Look for value early in the season: Odds tend to shorten as favorites emerge. Catching a team or player before a hot streak can deliver huge payouts.

3. Consider timing based on news: Injuries, trades, or coaching changes can create short windows of opportunity before books adjust.

4. Avoid betting too many longshots: It’s tempting to chase big payouts, but focus on outcomes that have a real path to winning, even at shorter odds.

5. Use data, not hype: Don’t bet futures based on headlines or social media buzz. Check advanced stats, schedules, and past performance.

6. Hedge when the time is right: If your pick gains value later, hedge to lock in profit or cover the downside, as we explained in the last section.

These tips apply across all markets, from MLB futures betting to UFC futures betting.

The key is being early, informed, and disciplined.