What Is Futures Sports Betting?
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Last Updated: 5 August, 2025
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.
How futures betting works
In futures sports betting, odds are posted well before the outcome is known, sometimes before the season even begins.
These odds reflect how likely a team or player is to win a title, award, or hit a season target.
As games are played, futures betting odds can shift due to wins, losses, trades, injuries, or how much money is bet on certain outcomes.
Once you place a futures bet, the odds are locked in, regardless of how they change later.
If you bet a team at +2000 to win the NBA title and the odds drop to +800 a month later, your ticket still pays out at +2000 if it wins.
This is why betting on futures early can offer bigger returns, if you're right.
Futures betting makes sense when you:
See the early value before the market reacts
Want long-term action from one wager
Are you tracking a team or player with breakout potential
Whether you're into NFL futures betting picks, NHL futures betting, or niche plays like NASCAR futures betting, timing your bet is key to maximizing value.
Futures odds and payout examples
This shows how lower-probability futures carry higher payouts, but also more risk.
Using an odds calculator can help convert futures lines into probability and profit estimates.
Popular futures markets by sport
Futures sports betting is available across nearly every league and event.
Each sport offers unique markets, from championship outcomes to player awards.
Below are the most common types of betting on futures across major and niche sports, with real examples of how they work on online sports betting sites.
NFL futures betting
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.
Common NFL futures markets include:
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
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.
Popular NBA futures markets include:
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
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.
Popular MLB futures markets include:
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
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.
Common NHL futures markets include:
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
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
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.
Popular golf futures markets include:
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
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.
Common UFC futures markets include:
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.
How to place a futures bet
Placing a futures sports betting wager is simple.
Whether you’re betting on a team to win a title or a player to earn an award, here’s how to get started:
Pros and cons of futures betting
Pros
- ✅ Futures bets often offer high odds, especially on underdogs or early-season picks
- ✅ You only place one bet, and it lasts for weeks or months with no extra work
- ✅ Your payout is based on the odds at the time you place the bet, not how they move later
Cons
- ❌ Your stake stays locked in until the bet settles, often at season’s end
- ❌ Since only one outcome wins, sportsbooks hold more of an edge than in single-game bets
- ❌ Injuries, trades, or slumps can impact the result long before your bet settles
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.
Hedging futures bets
Hedging a futures sports betting ticket means placing another bet on the opposite outcome to lock in profit or minimize loss, as the event gets closer to settling.
This strategy works best when your original futures pick gains value and becomes a favorite.
How to hedge futures bets
You bet $100 on the Ravens to win the Super Bowl at +1200.
If they win, you’ll profit $1,200.
They make it to the final, but now the 49ers are favored at +110.
To hedge, you place a $600 bet on the 49ers at +110.
Outcomes
If Ravens win: You profit $1,200 – $600 = $600 net gain
If 49ers win: You win $660 – $100 = $560 net gain
By hedging, you guarantee a return no matter who wins.
The tradeoff is a smaller profit, but lower risk.
Some bettors hedge fully, while others hedge partially to leave room for a bigger payout on sports betting apps.
Hedging is especially useful in NFL futures betting picks or tournaments like March Madness, where odds can swing fast and matchups become clear late in the season.
Futures betting tips
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.
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.
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.
Consider timing based on news: Injuries, trades, or coaching changes can create short windows of opportunity before books adjust.
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.
Use data, not hype: Don’t bet futures based on headlines or social media buzz. Check advanced stats, schedules, and past performance.
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.
Futures and bankroll strategy
Tying up too much of your bankroll in long-term bets can limit your flexibility.
Futures betting should be part of a balanced strategy, not your entire plan.
Quick tips:
Only commit a small portion (5–15%) of your total bankroll to futures
Consider placing futures in low-volume months (like preseason or early offseasons)
Track how much money you’ve tied up and when those bets settle
Futures are great for long-term value, but they shouldn’t block you from betting on weekly games or reacting to short-term news.
Live futures betting
Futures markets don’t close once the season starts.
Most sportsbooks update futures betting odds weekly or even daily based on team performance, injuries, and betting action.
This gives bettors a chance to jump in midseason if they spot value.
Example: The Lakers open the NBA season at +1800 to win the title. After a slow start, their odds drift to +3000. You believe they’ll bounce back and place a bet at the higher price. If they recover and become contenders again, you’ve locked in value.
Live futures betting is useful in leagues like the NBA or MLB where long seasons leave plenty of time for teams to turn things around.
The key is tracking line movement and acting before the market catches up.
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References
Contributors
Bradley Gibbs
Author
With over 12 years of experience, Bradley Gibbs is a seasoned sports betting writer and analyst specializing in uncovering value bets across football, horse racing, tennis, and golf.
His extensive coverage of these sports has been featured on numerous websites and in The Racing & Football Outlook, a renowned UK betting publication.
Bradley's expertise lies in identifying betting edges and delivering insightful, data-driven content for informed wagering.
Josh Miller
Reviewed By
Josh Miller, Sporting Post’s Sports & Casino Editor, brings over five years of experience in feature writing, blogging, and SEO.
With a strong background in football coverage and sports betting, his work has been featured in VAVEL.
Josh also writes extensively about online casinos, providing expert insights into games, bonuses, and gambling trends.
His engaging and informative content makes him a reliable resource for Sporting Post readers.