Industry analysts have identified a list of the top ten sports betting events that are expected to drive record breaking handle and fan engagement throughout 2026.The primary highlight is the FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This tournament is undergoing a historic expansion to forty-eight teams, creating a massive increase in the total number of matches available for wagering. Early odds suggest Spain, England, and France are the current favorites, while the United States remains a long shot.
In February, Super Bowl LX will take place at Levi’s Stadium in California. The championship game remains a cornerstone of the wagering calendar, consistently drawing the highest volume of single game bets in the country. This will be followed closely by the Winter Olympics in Italy, where international team and individual events provide a diverse range of markets for bettors over several weeks.
College athletics will also make up a hefty portion of the sports betting events this year. March Madness is expected to remain a dominant force in the spring, with thirty-two games scheduled over the first two days of the tournament alone. Analysts noted that the transfer portal and roster shifts continue to create unpredictable outcomes that attract significant public interest. Additionally, the College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami will serve as the first major betting milestone of the year.
The spring and summer will feature traditional staples such as the Kentucky Derby and the Masters. At Augusta National, early favorites Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy are already drawing attention from the golf community. Meanwhile, the World Baseball Classic returns in March, pitting stars like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani against one another in a tournament that has grown rapidly in betting popularity.
Professional leagues will round out the year with the NBA Finals and the Stanley Cup Finals in June. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Colorado Avalanche are currently positioned as frontrunners in their respective sports. These diverse sports betting events represent a mixture of annual traditions and rare international spectacles that are expected to define the financial landscape of the legal gambling industry in 2026.
