Circa Sports NFL contest has set a new benchmark in the sports betting industry by guaranteeing $31.6 million in prize money. The figure represents the largest guaranteed pool in history, surpassing the company’s own $20.2 million record from last year. The Million contest, which requires participants to submit five weekly picks against the spread, saw 5,685 entries. That total came in below the 6,000‐entry target, resulting in a $315,000 overlay to reach the $6 million guarantee. Despite the shortfall, the contest continues to attract strong participation due to its format and substantial payouts
This year’s Circa Sports NFL contest lineup features three events: Survivor, Million, and the newly introduced Grandissimo. Combined, the competitions attracted 24,472 entries. The Survivor contest remained the most popular, drawing 18,718 entries and creating an $18.7 million prize pool, well above its $15 million guarantee. That makes it the largest single payout ever offered in a legal sports betting contest. For comparison, last year’s Circa Survivor paid out $14.3 million, which was split among eight winners..
Grandissimo, launched this year, is a high‐stakes version of Survivor with a $100,000 buy‐in. The contest drew 69 entrants, generating a $6.9 million prize pool. Like Survivor, the format requires participants to select one straight‐up NFL winner each week over 20 contest legs, without repeating the same team. The elevated stakes have made it one of the most exclusive contests in sports betting.
According to Circa Sportsbook Operations Director Jeff Benson, the company’s aggressive guarantees reflect owner Derek Stevens’ commitment to building the biggest contests in the industry. Benson emphasized that Circa raises the bar each year because Stevens is “extremely passionate and very hands on.” Stevens described the new $31.6 million total as a major achievement and credited both staff and contestants for the success.
Early results from Week One showed 518 entries eliminated from the main Survivor contest, including 24 who did not submit picks. The New England Patriots’ loss to the Las Vegas Raiders knocked out 269 participants, while 25 advanced by backing the Raiders. All 69 Grandissimo entries survived the opening week. The record prize pool highlights how the Circa Sports NFL contest has become a defining feature of the professional football season and a key attraction for bettors nationwide.
