The year 2025 confirmed that sports betting has become a truly global phenomenon. From British horse racing to American football, including major football finals and golf tournaments, bettors’ preferences have spread across continents and sporting disciplines.
The annual ranking of the world’s most heavily bet-on sporting events has been released by Entain, based on data collected from its international betting brands.
The analysis provides a detailed picture of customer engagement levels throughout the year and confirms the central role of certain iconic events, alongside the rise of competitions capable of attracting a broad and diverse audience—often supported by promotional tools such as welcome bonuses aimed at new customers.
Horse Racing and American Football Lead the Rankings
The Aintree Grand National once again tops the ranking, reaffirming its status as the most bet-on sporting event of 2025. Horse racing continues to play a leading role, driven by deep-rooted tradition and a fan base that now extends well beyond the United Kingdom.
Other historic events, such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Coral Scottish Grand National, also feature prominently, while the Cheltenham Festival places the highest number of races among the top 50 most bet-on events of the year.
Close behind the Grand National is Super Bowl 59, which ranks as the second most bet-on event globally. These figures highlight the international expansion of American football, which is no longer limited to U.S. audiences.
The AFC and NFC Conference Finals also rank highly, alongside two regular-season games that made it into the top 20—an indicator of growing interest across European and international markets.
Football Finals and Golf’s Standout Performance
Football remains one of the primary drivers of betting activity, especially when it comes to finals and major tournaments. The UEFA Champions League Final holds a prominent position, alongside the FIFA Club World Cup Final and the UEFA Nations League Final.
South American football is also represented, with the Copa Libertadores Final entering the top 20 most bet-on events of the year. Among domestic league matches, Manchester United vs. Liverpool stands out as the most popular league fixture worldwide, appearing twice in the top 50.
Golf played an unexpected but significant role in 2025. The US Masters climbed to third place in the overall ranking, surpassing several high-profile football competitions and emerging as the only major golf tournament to feature in the top 50 most bet-on events of the year.
Commenting on the results, Greg Ferris, Managing Director of Sports at Entain, highlighted how the ranking demonstrates the diversity of interests among the group’s bettors throughout 2025.
