The Top 15 Biggest Sports Betting Events in the World

Sport and betting have always been intertwined. The roar of the crowd, the thrill of a last-minute goal, or the tension of a photo finish. Each moment adds to the excitement, and for many fans, a small wager heightens that emotional connection.

Globally, sports betting is now a £300 billion-a-year industry, fueled by digital platforms, mobile apps, and in-play markets. The biggest events, football tournaments, racing festivals, grand finals, and championship clashes, attract hundreds of millions of viewers and billions in bets.

This guide explores the Top 15 Biggest Sports Betting Events (annual or recurring) that dominate both online and retail markets. We’ll examine their cultural impact, global reach, and why they remain irresistible to bettors.

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An image of a gold trophy with a football next to it on a football pitch in a stadium similar to the FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup, The UEFA European Championship, The Cheltenham Festival, The Grand National & The Super Bowl

1. The FIFA World Cup

· Frequency: Every four years

· Estimated Betting Volume: £100–150 billion globally

The FIFA World Cup is a global spectacle uniting over 200 nations and billions of fans. Every four years, betting activity peaks to levels unseen in any other sporting event. Popular bets include outright tournament winner, top goal scorer, match winner, and live in-play markets.

2. The UEFA European Championship (The Euros)

· Frequency: Every four years

· Estimated Betting Volume: £60–80 billion globally

For UK punters, the Euros hold almost the same emotional and financial weight as the World Cup. England’s campaigns trigger record betting turnover, especially in the knockout

3. The Cheltenham Festival (UK)

· Frequency: Annual (March)

· Estimated Betting Volume: £1–2 billion in the UK

Often called 'the punter’s Olympics,' the Cheltenham Festival is the jewel of UK horse racing and the highlight of the National Hunt season.

4. The Grand National (UK)

· Frequency: Annual (April)

· Estimated Betting Volume: £250–300 million (UK only)

Few events capture the British public’s imagination like the Grand National at Aintree. It’s estimated that over half of UK adults place a bet on the race.

5. The Super Bowl (USA)

· Frequency: Annual (February)

· Estimated Betting Volume: £12–15 billion globally

The Super Bowl is America’s biggest sporting event and one of the most wagered-on contests worldwide. Prop bets, such as the length of the anthem, are almost as popular as the game itself.

Wimbledon Champion
-ships, The UEFA Champions League Final, The Kentucky Derby, The English Premier League, The Formula 1 World Championship, Heavyweight Boxing World Title Fights & The Masters Tournament

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6. Wimbledon Championships (UK)

· Frequency: Annual (June–July)

· Estimated Betting Volume: £1 billion+

As the world’s oldest tennis tournament, Wimbledon commands massive global betting attention. Its unpredictability makes it perfect for in-play betting.

7. The UEFA Champions League Final

· Frequency: Annual (May/June)

· Estimated Betting Volume: £5–10 billion globally

The Champions League Final is football’s most prestigious club match, with match winner, final score, various in-play and first-goal markets dominating activity.

8. The Kentucky Derby (USA)

· Frequency: Annual (May)

· Estimated Betting Volume: £1–1.5 billion globally

Known as 'The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,' the Kentucky Derby combines tradition, glamour, and massive betting pools.

9. The English Premier League (EPL) Season

· Frequency: Annual (Aug–May)

· Estimated Betting Volume: £50–70 billion globally

The Premier League is the world’s most-bet-on football league, with match winner, final score,various in-play, and accumulator markets driving consistent engagement.

10. The Formula 1 World Championship

· Frequency: Annual (Mar–Nov)

· Estimated Betting Volume: £5–7 billion globally

Formula 1’s global reach, with over 24 races, ensures constant betting action throughout the year.

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11. Heavyweight Boxing World Title Fights

· Frequency: Variable (1–3 per year)

· Estimated Betting Volume: £1–2 billion per marquee fight

Major boxing bouts, such as Fury vs. Usyk, can generate hundreds of millions of dollars in global wagers, driven by high-profile rivalries and huge viewing figures.

12. The Masters Tournament (Golf)

· Frequency: Annual (April)

· Estimated Betting Volume: £1–1.5 billion globally

Golf’s most prestigious event at Augusta National offers deep markets, from outright winner to top-10 finish.

An image of a gold trophy, with a towel, tennis racket, two tennis balls and a badge saying Wimbledon on the grass court

An image of rugby players mid game in a game similar to the Rugby World Cup

The Stanley Cup Finals, The Rugby World Cup / Six Nations, The Melbourne Cup,Why These Events Dominate Betting Markets & Responsible Betting

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13. The Stanley Cup Finals (NHL)

· Frequency: Annual (May–June)

· Estimated Betting Volume: £500 million+globally

North America’s legalisation of betting has boosted wagering on ice hockey’s biggest event, the Stanley Cup Finals.

14. The Rugby World Cup / Six Nations

· Frequency: RWC every 4 years; Six Nations annual

· Estimated Betting Volume: £2–3 billion(RWC) / £1 billion (Six Nations)

Rugby betting thrives in the UK, Ireland, and Australia, with live betting on match winner, tries, conversions, and spreads dominating.

15. The Melbourne Cup (Australia)

· Frequency: Annual (November)

· Estimated Betting Volume: £5–6 billion globally

Dubbed 'the race that stops a nation,' the Melbourne Cup attracts global bettors and is a national holiday in Victoria.

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Honourable Mentions

· Indian Premier League (Cricket): £10+billion annually; global and UK crossover appeal.

· The Breeders’ Cup (USA): Premier horse racing with international wagering pools.

· The World Series (Baseball): Massive American following and growing global bets.

· eSports Majors (LoL Worlds, Dota 2 International): Fastest-growing digital betting category.

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Why These Events Dominate Betting Markets

· Cultural familiarity and emotional investment.

· Saturated media coverage and live streaming access.

· Annual or regular frequency ensuring steady engagement.

· Market diversity for both casual and professional bettors.

· Advanced data and analytics for smarter betting.

Responsible Betting: The UK Context

Under UKGC regulations, all licensed sportsbooks are required to offer deposit limits, self-exclusion options, and responsible gambling resources. GamStop and GambleAware help players manage betting habits safely. Betting should enhance enjoyment, never harm it.

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www.casinojester.co.uk

An image of horses racing similar to the Melbourne Cup in Australia

OVERVIEW

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From the roar of Wembley to the thunder of hooves at Cheltenham, the world’s greatest sporting moments also represent the most significant betting opportunities. Each event blends tradition, excitement, and unpredictability. Attracting billions in wagers from fans worldwide.

As legal sports betting expands globally, these events will continue to grow in size. However, the core message remains timeless: bet responsibly, enjoy the spectacle, and let the love of sport take precedence.

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www.casinojester.co.uk

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