Futures Betting Explained: Complete Guide

This guide to sports betting basics explains how futures bets work, the best strategies for success, and which sportsbooks offer the widest futures markets. Unlike single-game wagers, these bets stay open for an entire season or tournament and often offer higher payouts.

What Is Futures Betting?

Futures betting is a type of sports wagering where you bet on long-term outcomes that will be decided well in the future, often weeks or months after you place the wager. Instead of focusing on a single game or matchup, futures sports betting asks you to predict how an entire season, tournament, or award race will end. Because these bets stay open for a long time, they usually come with higher odds and larger potential payouts than standard bets.

Definition and Real Examples

At its core, futures betting means wagering on outcomes that won’t be settled right away. You’re locking in a prediction early and waiting for the final result. Common examples include:

• NFL: Betting on which team will win the Super Bowl before the season begins.
• NBA: Betting on the league MVP or NBA Champion.
• MLB: Betting on the World Series winner or a player to lead the league in home runs.

For example, if you place a $100 bet on a team at +1000 odds to win the Super Bowl, that bet will remain active for the entire season. In contrast, a single-game bet, like a point spread on Sunday’s matchup, which is settled as soon as the game ends. This difference in timing is what makes betting on futures unique.

Futures vs. Regular Bets

The biggest distinction between futures and regular bets is how long your money is tied up and when the bet is settled. Regular bets focus on immediate results, while futures require patience but can offer bigger rewards.

How Futures Betting Works

Understanding how futures betting works helps you know what you’re really wagering on, how payouts are calculated, and why timing matters so much. While placing a futures bet is simple, the mechanics behind odds movement and locked prices are what separate casual bettors from informed ones.

Understanding Futures Odds

Most futures betting markets use American odds, shown as positive numbers like +500, +1200, or +2000. These odds tell you how much profit you’d make on a $100 bet. For example:

• +500 odds: Bet $100 to win $500 in profit (total return $600).
• +2000 odds: Bet $100 to win $2,000 in profit (total return $2,100).

Futures odds also represent implied probability, or how likely the sportsbook believes an outcome is. Lower odds mean a higher chance of winning, while higher odds reflect longer shots. Because futures cover many possible outcomes but only one winner, sportsbooks build in a larger margin compared to single-game bets.

When Futures Odds Change

Futures odds usually open before a season starts, known as preseason odds. At this stage, sportsbooks are pricing teams and players based on projections, rosters, and public expectations. As the season unfolds, those odds constantly adjust.

Odds change based on:

• Team performance: Winning streaks shorten odds; losing streaks lengthen them.
• Injuries: Losing a star player can dramatically impact futures prices.
• Trades or roster moves: A major acquisition can shift championship odds overnight.
• Betting volume: Heavy action from bettors can force sportsbooks to move lines.

For example, if a highly ranked team starts the season 0–3, its championship odds might move from +800 to +2000. This creates potential value for bettors who believe the team is better than its record suggests.

Your Odds Are Locked In

One of the most important rules in futures betting is that your odds are locked in at the moment you place the bet. Once your wager is confirmed, those odds never change for you, regardless of how the market moves later. For instance, if you bet the Chiefs at +1200 to win the Super Bowl and their odds later shorten to +600, your ticket still pays at +1200. This can be a major advantage if you get in early at a good number. However, it’s also a disadvantage if the odds move against you, because you’re committed for the long term.

Types of Sports Betting Futures

Sports betting futures cover a wide range of long-term markets, giving you multiple ways to bet beyond picking winners of individual games. These bets focus on how a season, tournament, or statistical race will finish, and they’re available across all major sports. If you’re interested in basketball-specific markets, you can also explore betting futures here in our dedicated NBA betting guide.

Championship Futures

Championship futures are the most common and recognizable type of futures bet. You’re wagering on which team will win a league title or major tournament at the end of the season. Popular examples include:

• NFL: Super Bowl winner
• NBA: NBA Finals champion
• MLB: World Series winner
• NHL: Stanley Cup champion

These markets usually open before the season begins, when odds are at their longest. Favorites might be listed between +300 and +600, while longshots can range anywhere from +2000 to +10000, depending on the sport and number of teams. Championship futures are appealing because of their high payouts and season-long engagement, but they also carry more uncertainty than single-game bets.

Player Award Futures

Player award futures focus on individual achievements rather than team success. These bets are popular because they let you target standout players, even if their teams aren’t championship contenders. Common player award futures include:

• Most Valuable Player (MVP) in leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB
• Cy Young Award (MLB pitchers)
• Heisman Trophy (college football)
• Rookie of the Year across major sports

DraftKings futures markets typically include MVP awards, Rookie of the Year races, Coach of the Year honors, and season-long statistical leader props, with odds updating throughout the season. There are also statistical leader futures, such as betting on which player will lead the league in passing yards, rushing yards, home runs, or points per game. These markets can be volatile, since injuries or changes in playing time can quickly impact a player’s chances.

Season Win Totals

Season win totals are a straightforward form of sports betting futures. You’re betting on whether a team will finish the regular season over or under a projected number of wins set by the sportsbook. For example, if a team’s win total is set at 9.5:

• Betting the over means you think they’ll win 10 or more games.
• Betting the under means you think they’ll win 9 or fewer games.

These bets are usually settled at the end of the regular season, regardless of playoff performance.

NFL Futures Betting Examples

NFL futures betting offers some of the deepest and most varied markets in sports wagering. In addition to the Super Bowl, you can bet on:

• AFC or NFC champions
• Division winners
• Coach of the Year
• Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year

For example, a team might be listed at +900 to win the Super Bowl, +450 to win its conference, and +180 to win its division. These layered markets allow you to choose between higher-risk, higher-reward bets and safer, lower-paying options. Check out our NFL betting guide for more NFL-specific betting context.

How to Place a Futures Bet

Placing a futures bet is simple once you know where to look and what steps to follow. Most legal online sportsbooks make futures markets easy to find, whether you’re using a desktop computer or a mobile app.

At Online Sportsbooks

At online sportsbooks, futures betting is usually grouped under a dedicated “Futures” tab or within each sport’s main betting menu. On desktop sites, you’ll often see futures listed in a sidebar or top navigation. On mobile apps, they’re typically accessed through the sport’s main page, with filters for futures, awards, and season-long markets. To find a specific futures market, start by selecting the sport (such as NFL, NBA, or MLB). From there, scroll through categories like Championships, Awards, or Season Props. Popular sportsbooks update these sections regularly, so odds and available markets can change throughout the season.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Choose your sportsbook: Select a legal sportsbook that offers strong futures markets. Reading platform comparisons and reviews can help you decide which sportsbook best fits your needs.
2. Navigate to the Futures section: Once logged in, click or tap the “Futures” tab or open the sport you want to bet on and look for futures-specific markets.
3. Select your sport and market: Choose the sport (for example, NFL or NBA), then pick the type of futures bet you want, such as championship winner or MVP.
4. Choose your pick: Click on the team or player you want to back. This will add the selection to your bet slip.
5. Enter your stake amount: Type in how much you want to wager. The sportsbook will automatically calculate your potential payout.
6. Review odds and potential payout: Double-check the odds, stake, and projected return to make sure everything is correct.
7. Confirm your bet: Submit the bet to lock in your odds. Once confirmed, the wager is active.
8. Receive confirmation or ticket: You’ll receive a digital confirmation or bet ticket, which you can track in your account until the futures bet is settled.

Best Sportsbooks for Futures Betting

When it comes to which sportsbooks allow futures betting, all major legal online sportsbooks offer futures markets. However, some platforms stand out for their market depth, ease of use, and consistent odds updates. The three sportsbooks below are industry leaders and strong choices for beginners and experienced bettors alike.

All three sportsbooks above are licensed in the United States and offer secure, legal futures betting. We recommend opening accounts at multiple books to shop for the best odds—even small differences in odds can significantly impact your long-term profits. Compare current futures odds across all platforms before placing your bet.

FanDuel, BetMGM, and DraftKings consistently rank among the best sportsbooks for futures betting because they offer deep menus of championship, award, and season-long markets. According to FanDuel’s official sportsbook listings, futures markets typically include championship winners, conference and division titles, season win totals, and major player awards across all major sports. Their platforms also make it easy to track open futures bets over long periods, which is especially important when wagers remain active for months.

While these three are excellent starting points, it’s still smart to compare odds across sportsbooks before betting, since prices can vary significantly from one book to another.

Calculating Futures Payouts

Understanding how to calculate futures payouts helps you know exactly what you’re risking and what you stand to win before placing a bet. While most sportsbooks automatically show your potential return in the bet slip, knowing the math makes it easier to compare odds and spot better value. Most futures betting markets use positive American odds, which indicate how much profit you’d earn on a $100 wager. The higher the odds, the larger the potential payout, but usually with a lower probability of winning.

Example Futures Payouts

Here’s how common futures payouts break down:

• $100 bet at +500 odds: Profit: $500, Total return: $600
• $50 bet at +2000 odds: Profit: $1,000, Total return: $1,050
• $200 bet at +150 odds: Profit: $300, Total return: $500

These examples show why futures betting can be appealing. Even a small stake can lead to a large payout if you correctly predict a long-term outcome.

How the Calculation Works

The formula for calculating profit on positive American odds is: (Stake × Odds) ÷ 100 = Profit

Once you calculate the profit, you simply add your original stake to find the total payout. For example, with a $50 bet at +2000:

• ($50 × 2000) ÷ 100 = $1,000 profit
• $1,000 + $50 stake = $1,050 total return

When to Bet on Futures

Knowing when to bet on futures is just as important as knowing what to bet on. Timing can dramatically affect the odds you get, the value of your wager, and your overall risk. Unlike single-game bets, futures betting rewards patience, planning, and an understanding of how markets react over time.

Preseason Strategy

The preseason is when futures odds are typically at their longest. Sportsbooks are pricing teams and players based on projections, not results, which creates opportunities for bettors who have strong opinions before the season begins. This is a good time to look for value on teams with:

• Major roster upgrades through free agency or trades
• Strong draft classes that may outperform expectations
• Coaching changes that could improve performance

The tradeoff is uncertainty. No games have been played, injuries haven’t happened yet, and projections can miss the mark. Preseason futures offer the highest potential payout, but they also carry the most risk.

In-Season Opportunities

In-season futures betting allows you to react to real results. One of the most effective approaches is buying low on struggling favorites. When a strong team starts the season 2–4, public perception often turns negative, and sportsbooks lengthen the odds. For example, a team priced at +600 before the season might drift to +1500 after a slow start, even though the roster and talent haven’t changed. These “overreaction” moments can create strong value for bettors willing to look past short-term results. Many sportsbooks also offer live futures betting, updating odds week by week as games are played. This lets you enter markets later in the season, once trends are clearer.

Line Shopping

Line shopping is one of the simplest ways to improve long-term results in futures betting. Different sportsbooks often list different odds on the same outcome. For instance:

• Sportsbook A lists a team at +1500
• Sportsbook B lists the same team at +1800

Choosing the better price can mean hundreds of dollars more in profit on the same bet. Because your odds are locked in once you place a futures bet, it’s critical to compare options first. Using odds comparison tools and checking multiple sportsbooks before betting can make a significant difference over time.

Advantages of Futures Betting

Futures betting offers several unique benefits that appeal to both casual and experienced bettors, combining long-term excitement with strategic flexibility and potentially rewarding payouts.

• High payouts: Futures betting often comes with longer odds than single-game wagers, especially when backing underdogs. If a team or player you picked early goes on an unexpected run, the payout can be significantly higher than most standard bets. This makes futures appealing for bettors looking for bigger returns from smaller stakes.
• Season-long engagement: A single futures bet can keep you invested for an entire season or tournament. Instead of caring about just one game, you have a reason to follow results week after week. This long-term involvement can make watching games more enjoyable and meaningful.
• Strategic opportunities: Futures bets allow flexibility as situations change. If your selection advances deep into a season or reaches a final, you may choose to hedge by betting the opposite outcome. This can help reduce risk or lock in profit before the final result is decided.
• Simplicity: Compared to betting every game, futures betting requires less ongoing research and time commitment. You place one bet based on a broader view of the season, rather than analyzing matchups daily or weekly.
• Fun factor: Futures add an extra layer of excitement by giving you a team or player to root for all season long. The anticipation builds over time, making the eventual outcome more rewarding.

Disadvantages of Futures Betting

While futures betting can be exciting and potentially profitable, it also comes with notable drawbacks that bettors should understand before committing money for long periods of time.

• Bankroll tied up: One of the biggest downsides of futures betting is that your money is locked in until the bet is settled. This can mean weeks or months where those funds can’t be used for other wagers, limiting flexibility and overall betting activity.
• High house edge: Futures markets typically have a higher sportsbook margin than single-game bets. Because there is only one winning outcome and many losing ones, the effective house edge can be significant, often estimated at around 20–25% across the entire market.
• Unpredictability: Long-term bets are exposed to far more uncertainty. Injuries, trades, coaching changes, suspensions, or unexpected breakout teams can quickly change the outlook of a season and hurt even well-researched futures bets.
• Lower short-term action: Futures betting offers less immediate gratification than game-by-game wagering. Since results take a long time to be decided, bettors looking for frequent outcomes or regular payouts may find futures less satisfying.
• No refunds: In most cases, futures bets remain active even if circumstances change dramatically. If a player you backed for an award gets injured or loses their role, the bet usually stands and will likely lose, with no option for a refund.

Futures Betting Strategy

A smart futures betting strategy focuses on finding value over time rather than reacting to short-term results. Because these bets stay open for weeks or months, patience and planning are essential.

Buying Low on Quality Teams

One effective approach in futures betting is waiting for strong teams to stumble early in the season. Even talented rosters can start slowly due to tough schedules, minor injuries, or poor early chemistry. When this happens, sportsbooks often lengthen the odds. Target teams with proven players, solid coaching, and strong underlying metrics despite a poor start. Longer odds create better value if the team stabilizes and performs closer to expectations. A classic example is the 2020 Chiefs, whose Super Bowl odds drifted to around +1200 after a slow start before they ultimately won the title. Buying at the right time, rather than preseason hype, can significantly improve long-term results.

Hedging Your Futures Bets

Hedging is a strategy that involves placing an additional bet on the opposite outcome to reduce risk or lock in profit. Futures bets are especially suited for hedging because odds change dramatically as teams advance. For example, imagine you placed a $100 futures bet on Team A at +1200, giving you a potential $1,200 profit. Team A reaches the championship game as a +150 underdog. At that point, you could hedge by betting $400 on Team B at -150. If Team A wins, you profit $800 ($1,200 minus the $400 hedge). If Team B wins, you profit $266 ($666 minus $400). Either way, you secure a guaranteed return.

To explore different hedge scenarios, you can use our hedge calculator.

Final Thoughts

Futures betting gives you a way to wager on long-term sports outcomes, from championship winners to season awards, with odds that are locked in when you place your bet. By understanding how futures betting works, how odds move over time, and when to place wagers, you can approach these markets with more confidence and better expectations. The key to success with futures is focusing on value rather than prediction alone. Always shop for the best odds across sportsbooks, manage your bankroll carefully, and be open to strategies like hedging when your bet reaches a strong position. Starting small, such as $10 to $25 futures bets, can help you learn how these wagers behave without risking too much.

If you want to build a stronger foundation, use our bankroll management calculator. Most importantly, remember that gambling involves risk and should be treated as entertainment. Bet responsibly, stay within your limits, and enjoy the long-term excitement that futures betting can add to a season.

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