What Are Futures Bets in Sports Betting?

Ever find yourself eyeing the odds for next year’s champion months in advance? That’s the thrill of futures bets.

In sports betting, a futures bet is simply a wager on a long-term outcome that won’t be decided until down the road – usually at season’s end.

Unlike a regular game bet that’s settled in a few hours, a futures bet lets you stake your claim on big-picture results and then sit back (or nervously sweat) as the season unfolds.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how futures bets work, see examples of team and player futures, and learn tips to find value while avoiding common pitfalls.

What Is a Futures Bet?

A futures bet is a wager on an outcome that will be determined in the future – often at the end of a season or tournament.

You’re betting on things like which team will win a championship or which player will earn a major award, well before those events are decided.

In other words, you’re predicting the big stuff (champions, award winners, league leaders) rather than a single game’s result.

These bets can be placed before a season starts or during the season, sometimes even years in advance for events like the World Cup.

Because so much can happen in the interim, sportsbooks label them “futures” – you’re betting on something that isn’t settled for a long time.

Think of it this way: instead of betting on this week’s game, you might bet on who wins the title months from now.

For example, you could wager in the preseason on a team to win the next Super Bowl or an NBA star to win MVP.

Once you place the bet, your odds are locked in – no matter how the odds might shift later, your ticket stays at the price you got.

Then you just have to wait until the end of the season (or tournament) to see if you nailed it.

Examples of Futures Bets (Team & Player)

Futures markets exist for virtually every sport and league. Here are some common examples of both team futures and player futures bets:

• Team Futures: Betting on a team to win a championship is the classic futures wager. Examples include picking the NFL team to win the Super Bowl, an NBA team to win the NBA Finals, a college football team to win the College Football Playoff national championship, or an MLB team to win the World Series. You can also bet on milestones like a team to win their conference or division, or even to simply make the playoffs. Essentially, any “will they win X by season’s end?” bet on a team falls into this category.
• Player Futures: These involve individual achievements or awards. For instance, you can bet on who will be the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of a league, who will win Rookie of the Year, or which pitcher will win the Cy Young Award. In college football, a popular future is who will win the Heisman Trophy (given to the top player). You might also find futures on statistical leaders – for example, which player will lead the NFL in passing yards or who will hit the most home runs in MLB. If it’s an accolade decided at the end of the season, chances are there’s a futures market for it.

As you can see, futures bets let you get in on predicting the headline outcomes.

Whether you’re backing your favorite team to go all the way or forecasting a breakout star to snag an award, there’s a futures bet for it.

How Do Futures Odds Work (and Change Over Time)?

When you look at a futures odds board, you’ll see a list of teams or players with numbers (odds) next to each.

These odds indicate the payout and implied chance of each outcome.

Importantly, futures odds are dynamic – they can shift over the course of the season based on performance, news, and betting action.

• Opening Odds: Sportsbooks often release futures odds before a season begins (sometimes immediately after the previous season ends). Early odds tend to be longer (higher payouts) because there’s more uncertainty months out. You’re making a bet before seeing any games, so you’re taking on more risk. For example, a middle-of-the-pack team might be +5000 in the preseason (50-to-1) to win the title – a huge long shot.
• Midseason Shifts: As games are played and standings take shape, bookmakers adjust the odds. Top contenders’ odds will shorten (lower payout) if they’re performing well, because their chances of winning have gone up. Meanwhile, long shots’ odds often get longer if they’re underperforming. These moves reflect reality: a team that starts, say, 8–0 will see its championship odds improve dramatically, whereas a favored team that falls flat might drift to a long shot. Sportsbooks also react to injuries, trades, or other news – a serious injury to a star player can cause a team’s odds to lengthen overnight.
• Late Season (Stretch Run): Toward the end of the season, futures odds tighten up considerably. By playoffs time, you might even see favorites with negative odds (e.g. -120) if they’re highly likely to win it all. At this stage, most of the uncertainty is gone – only a few contenders remain. A team that was +5000 in the preseason could be +500 in the finals, or a preseason favorite at +600 might become an odds-on favorite late in the year. Remember, however, your bet stays at the odds you originally locked in. If you grabbed a dark horse at 50-to-1 odds early, that ticket keeps those juicy odds even if the team turns into a frontrunner later.

Why do odds change?

Sportsbooks adjust futures lines based on performance and betting demand.

If a team exceeds expectations, oddsmakers give them a better chance (so the payout drops).

Conversely, a struggling team sees its championship probability drop (payout rises).

Books also factor in where bettors’ money is going.

For example, if loads of people bet the Los Angeles Lakers to win the NBA title, the sportsbook may lower the Lakers’ odds to limit its exposure.

In short, futures odds are a live market that moves with the ebb and flow of the season.

Tip: You can place futures bets at any point during the season at the current odds.

Timing matters – more on that in the tips section below – because grabbing a team at the right moment (before a hot streak, or after a temporary slump) can significantly change your potential payout.

Why Do People Love Futures Bets?

Futures bets are extremely popular, and it’s not hard to see why.

They offer a blend of big potential payouts and season-long excitement that many bettors find appealing.

Here are a few reasons futures attract so much attention:

• Jackpot Potential: Everyone dreams of turning a small bet into a huge win. Futures make that possible. Since you’re often picking from a large field (say, 30 teams or dozens of players), the odds on each can be quite high. Hitting a long-shot future is like hitting a jackpot – for example, a $10 bet on a 50-to-1 underdog champion would return $500 profit. In rare cases, the payouts can be life-changing. (Leicester City famously won the English Premier League at 5000-to-1 odds, rewarding a few crazy bettors with historic wins!) Most of the time you won’t nail a miracle like that – but the lure of a big payday is a huge part of the appeal.
• Season-Long Entertainment: When you place a futures bet, you suddenly have a long-term rooting interest. It’s the ultimate “season-long sweat” – every game your pick plays feels meaningful because your bet is on the line. This can make the sports season more fun. Even during dull stretches or games you might not normally watch, you have a reason to tune in. In a way, a single futures ticket can keep you engaged for months, giving you skin in the game all season. Bettors enjoy that extended excitement. It’s more of a marathon than the sprint of a one-night bet.
• Bragging Rights & Prediction Satisfaction: There’s a special satisfaction in saying “I called it!” months in advance. If you correctly predict the champion or an award winner early, you get to bask in that clairvoyant glory. Many people like to use futures to express their confidence in a team/player they believe is underrated. It’s fun to plant your flag on a bold prediction. And if you’re right, not only do you win money – you also get serious bragging rights among your friends.
• Value Hunting: Skilled bettors appreciate that futures markets sometimes post odds that don’t perfectly reflect true probabilities. If you do your homework, you might spot a team or player whose chances are better than the odds suggest (i.e. a value bet). For example, maybe a savvy fan sees that a certain college football team has an easy schedule and an improving roster – their 30-to-1 odds to win the championship might actually be a bargain. Finding these diamonds in the rough is rewarding. Futures bettors love the challenge of beating the book over the long term by finding undervalued picks.

In summary, people enjoy futures bets for the high-risk, high-reward thrill and the sustained engagement they provide. I

t’s a unique feeling to have a ticket in your pocket that could cash big, riding on a prediction you made long ago.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Futures Bets

While futures bets are fun, they can also be tricky. Here are some common mistakes bettors should avoid:

• Betting with Your Heart, Not Your Head: It’s easy to get emotional with futures. Maybe you’re a die-hard fan who really wants your team to win it all. Betting on your favorites isn’t a crime, but don’t let personal bias cloud your judgement. The same goes for chasing a feel-good story or a hype train without solid reasoning. Make sure your futures picks are based on objective analysis – not just wishful thinking.
• Lack of Research: Placing a futures wager without doing your homework is a recipe for disappointment. Because these bets involve many variables (roster strength, schedule, coaching, etc.), you need to dig into the details. Look at last season’s performance, offseason changes, injury news, and anything that could impact the outcome. Failing to conduct proper research can lead to uninformed bets. Don’t just go by the title odds alone – understand why a team is priced as it is.
• Overconfidence & Overexposure: Futures are long shots by nature. Even the favorites often have only a 10-20% implied chance to win it all. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking any pick is a “sure thing.” Being overconfident might lead you to risk too much of your bankroll on a single future. Remember, your money will be tied up for a long time, and unforeseen things (injuries, slumps) can derail even the strongest team. It’s wise to limit how much of your bankroll you allocate to futures and avoid betting too many of them at once. Treat them as small-stakes, high-upside plays, not guaranteed investments.
• Not Shopping for the Best Odds: Not all sportsbooks offer the same futures odds. A common mistake is placing your bet at the first book you check, only to find another site had a much better payout for the same team/player. Always shop around for the best odds before betting. For example, one sportsbook might list a team at +800 while another has +1000 – why settle for +800 when you could get a bigger return at +1000? Taking a few extra minutes to compare lines can significantly boost your potential profit if you win.
• Chasing the Hype (Overreaction): Futures odds often move due to public perception. If a team is getting tons of buzz and everyone is betting on them, the sportsbook will shorten their odds. Jumping on a popular pick late means you’re likely getting a bad price. Avoid betting a team because it’s the trendy choice of the moment – the value might have evaporated after the hype drove the odds down. Similarly, don’t overreact to a short winning streak or a flashy headline. By the time everyone is talking about a team’s hot start, the most profitable window to bet them has likely passed. The mistake is buying high on excitement instead of finding value before (or after) the public swings.

Being aware of these pitfalls can save you a lot of frustration.

The key is to stay rational and disciplined.

Do your analysis, keep bets reasonable, and always seek the best odds and timing.

Tips for Finding Good Value in Futures Markets

So how do you improve your chances of striking gold with a futures bet? Here are some tips to find value and make smarter futures wagers:

• Shop the Lines: We can’t emphasize this enough – check multiple sportsbooks for their futures odds. Prices can vary widely. Getting +2000 instead of +1500 on a dark horse might not seem huge, but it’s the difference between a $100 bet paying $2,000 vs. $1,500. Always hunt for the most attractive odds before placing your bet. This goes for player awards and stat leader futures too. Line shopping ensures you maximize your potential payout on a winning bet.
• Time Your Bet for Maximum Value: Timing is everything in futures betting. The best price isn’t always at the start of the season. Sometimes a team’s odds improve (shorten) quickly after a strong start – in that case, betting early was best. Other times, a strong team might stumble early, causing their odds to drift longer, and that late September dip could be the perfect time to buy in. If you expect a contender to struggle early (say due to a tough opening schedule or injuries) but ultimately be championship-caliber, you might wait for their odds to lengthen and snag a value bet mid-season. On the flip side, if you foresee a team about to go on a run (maybe their schedule is about to get easier or a star player is returning), betting before that hot streak can lock in a great number. Don’t just blindly bet futures at the beginning – consider the season’s ebbs and flows and pounce when the odds are in your favor.
• Know the Schedule and Context: A savvy futures bettor looks ahead at the schedule and other situational factors. Strength of schedule plays a big role in team fortunes. For example, if you’re eyeing an NFL team’s playoff chances, check their upcoming opponents. Teams with a significantly easier schedule have a better shot at piling up wins (and thus hitting their futures targets) than those facing a gauntlet. Also pay attention to divisional races – a talented team stuck in a powerhouse division might have a tougher road than a decent team in a weak division. For player futures, context matters too: a running back on a high-scoring team might be a better bet to lead the league in touchdowns than an equally skilled back on a poor offense. Use these context clues to identify bets where the odds haven’t fully accounted for future schedule or team situation.
• Fade Public Overreactions: The futures market can be slow to correct on under-the-radar teams and too quick to shorten odds on hyped teams. Avoid betting into public hype. If everyone and their mother is suddenly hammering a particular future (the “buzz” team or player of the moment), the odds will reflect that consensus and likely be overvalued . Instead, look for spots where public sentiment might be underestimating an opportunity. Perhaps a team had a couple of fluke losses or a star got injured (creating a buying opportunity if that team can still find a way). Being a bit contrarian – or at least not following the crowd blindly – can help you land value. Essentially, buy low, sell high: bet on teams before the masses catch on, and avoid those that have become trendy picks unless you still see genuine value at the current odds.
• Consider Hedging When Appropriate: If your futures bet turns out to be a contender late in the season, remember you can hedge to secure profit. For instance, suppose you took a long shot at 50-1 odds and they actually reach the championship game. At that point, you could place a bet on the other finalist to lock in a win either way. Hedging means sacrificing a bit of potential payout in exchange for guaranteed money. It’s not something you need to plan from the start, but it’s a useful strategy to keep in mind. Smart bettors will often hedge futures in situations where they stand to make a life-changing sum or just want to reduce risk. It’s all about deciding whether to let it ride or secure a sure profit – and that choice depends on your risk tolerance.

By using these tactics – shopping for odds, picking your timing, doing your research on schedule/strength, staying level-headed about hype, and managing your bets – you can tilt the odds a bit more in your favor.

Remember, futures are still tough to hit, but these strategies will help you find the hidden value rather than just taking the obvious (and often overpriced) bets.

Pros and Cons of Futures Bets vs. Game-to-Game Betting

How do futures wagers stack up against the more common game-to-game bets? There are some clear advantages and disadvantages to betting futures instead of (or in addition to) betting individual games:

Pros of Futures Betting

• Huge Payouts for Small Stakes: Perhaps the biggest draw of futures bets is the potential ROI. You can risk a relatively small amount for the chance at a very large payoff if you’re right. In contrast, a single-game bet usually returns close to double your money at best (for an underdog moneyline or a parlay). With futures, even favorites often pay nicely (+300, +500, etc.), and long shots can be +1000, +5000 or more. This asymmetric reward is something you won’t get from a typical one-game wager. It’s exciting to know that a $20 flyer on a 30-1 team could net you $600 profit.
• Long-Term Entertainment Value: One futures ticket lets you enjoy the ride all season. This can be more engaging for casual bettors than grinding out game-by-game bets. If you don’t have time or desire to bet daily/weekly, a futures bet is a “set it and forget it” (well, more like “set it and watch it”) kind of wager. You get to follow a narrative over weeks or months. Every game your pick plays, you’re invested in the outcome, which can be more satisfying than short-term bets that are over in a day. In a way, it provides constant action without constant betting. Game-to-game betting, on the other hand, requires continual effort and offers only a brief thrill for each wager.
• Opportunity to Exploit Insight: If you have strong preseason insight or information that others are overlooking, futures can be very rewarding. Say you’ve analyzed the offseason and believe a certain underdog team is primed for a breakout. If you bet them early and you’re right, you’ve capitalized on that knowledge in a big way. With game bets, your edge might be smaller (a percentage point here or there against the spread). But calling a big future correctly is like hitting a home run. It’s a chance to be contrarian and potentially get paid off huge for being ahead of the curve. For example, those who foresaw a long-shot championship team or an unheralded player’s MVP season before it happened likely couldn’t have profited the same by just betting their games individually.
• Less Immediate Stress: Some bettors actually find futures less stressful since the outcome isn’t decided right away. You don’t get the rapid adrenaline spike (and crash) of a single game bet. Instead, it’s a slow burn of anticipation. For folks who don’t enjoy the pressure of needing a specific game result tonight, a futures bet spreads that anxiety out. It can be fun to watch the season develop with an eye on your eventual goal, rather than sweating every point in a single contest. In other words, futures can be a more relaxed betting experience – your bankroll isn’t seesawing every day.

Cons of Futures Betting

• Money Tied Up for Months: When you place a futures bet, your stake is locked in until the outcome is decided – which could be many weeks or even a full year away . That means you can’t use that money for other betting opportunities in the meantime. For bettors with limited bankroll, this opportunity cost is significant. Betting games week-to-week keeps your funds liquid; betting futures requires patience and the ability to part with your cash for a long stretch. If you’re someone who likes to churn your bankroll or needs quick returns, futures can be frustrating.
• High Risk, High Uncertainty: Predicting something far in the future is inherently harder than handicapping a single game tomorrow. There are many unknowns – injuries, roster changes, slumps, weather, you name it. A team that looks great on paper in August might lose its star QB in October and see its championship hopes dashed. Even big favorites can get derailed by events nobody saw coming . In a single game bet, you typically know who’s playing and the conditions that day; in a futures bet, you’re making a calculated guess with a lot of moving parts. This means the variance is high – most futures bets will lose, because only one team or player can win the coveted prize. In fact, sportsbooks love futures because they collect all those losing bets; there’s only one champion or award winner per season, and every other ticket is a loser . So you’re fighting an uphill battle with futures, whereas game bets can be more of a 50/50 proposition (when betting point spreads or totals, for example).
• Lower Betting Efficiency (High Hold): Another hidden downside of futures is that sportsbooks usually bake in a larger house edge (or “hold”) into these markets. If you added up the implied probabilities of all teams in a futures market, it often far exceeds 100%, meaning the book’s advantage is significant  . This makes it harder to find true value, especially on popular teams which may be a bit overbet. In contrast, standard game lines (spreads, totals) typically have a smaller vig (around -110 odds). In essence, you’re paying a premium to play futures. While this shouldn’t necessarily scare you off (the potential payout is the trade-off), it’s a con to be aware of: futures markets aren’t the “fairest” bets in terms of odds value.
• No Instant Gratification: If you enjoy the quick result of a game bet – winning (or losing) money in a few hours – futures will test your patience. You could place a bet in spring and not have it resolved until the end of fall. For some, that delayed outcome reduces the excitement. You might even forget about a bet placed long ago until you suddenly realize your team is in the finals. And if you like to actively manage your bankroll, waiting months to see a return (if any) might not be ideal. Betting game-to-game provides feedback and results immediately, letting you adjust your strategy or enjoy winnings right away. With futures, it’s a long waiting game with zero payoff until the very end.

Futures bets offer bigger rewards but require more patience and carry more uncertainty compared to betting games individually.

Many bettors use a mix of both – sprinkling a few fun futures bets for long-term shots while continuing to bet games on a weekly basis.

If you do dive into futures, go in with eyes open about these pros and cons.

There’s nothing like the thrill of a long-shot future coming through, but it comes with the territory of tying up money and embracing volatility.