Soccer is often called “the world’s game,” and with good reason. Its immense popularity worldwide, but especially in Europe and much of North and South America, makes it a truly global sport. Soccer betting may not yet be as popular in the US, but it is gaining steam as legalization expands.
In the US, action from various soccer leagues is a growing presence on TV networks and streaming services. Games from professional leagues such as the English Premier League, Bundesliga and MLS are now available year-round. In addition, there is growing popularity for major tournaments like the UEFA Champions League and World Cup.
Below, you’ll find information on soccer betting, such as where to bet via top US sportsbooks, as well as information on key terms and more.
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How to bet on soccer
Legal US sportsbooks usually provide odds every game of the major international leagues. You can also bet on key categories through various futures markets, such as which teams will win their leagues, finish in the top four, top six or top half, or even on which teams will be relegated to a lower league after finishing in the bottom of the standings.
There are some key differences between betting on soccer and betting on other sports. The biggest might be that, in addition to offering moneyline odds on each team to win any given game, sportsbooks will also offer odds on a draw. Draws are not at all uncommon in league play, and they’re important to the sports bettor because it means there are three potential outcomes to each game rather than just two.
Step-by-step guide to betting on soccer
- Select a sports betting app that is legal in your state.
- Sign up for an account and fill out the necessary personal information. You should also read up on the current promos available at that sportsbook. Many will have welcome bonuses for new users. Examples include bonuses based on your first deposit or wager.
- Choose a deposit method, and add money to your account.
- You’re now ready to check out the available soccer bets to see if there’s one you want to place.
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Deposit and withdrawal methods
Sportsbooks offer a variety of ways to put money into and get money out of an account, and there’s some variation in the methods they allow. Two of the most popular options that are available at most major sportsbooks are PayPal and ACH.
One reason PayPal is a frequent choice is because of how quickly the transactions usually clear, but also because PayPal doesn’t charge a fee per transaction, which other e-wallet options might.
ACH (or automated clearing house) transfers are essentially electronic transfers between banks. As long as you have an account at a bank that the sportsbook in question accepts, and as long as your bank allows these transfers, this can be a convenient option that’s usually fast, as well.
Some but not all sportsbooks also accept credit cards and/or debit cards. But these can sometimes come with extra fees, or the card issuer could reject the transaction. Some, but not all, sportsbooks also accept Venmo and Cash App.
Typical welcome bonuses
Many sportsbooks offer promos to entice new users who may be choosing between multiple options. These deals can vary from state to state, so it’s important to read up on the current ones for the sportsbooks that are available in your state.
Two of the top sportsbook promotions are deposit bonuses and first-bet bonuses. Some sportsbooks will offer to match a certain percentage of your initial deposit, or they may provide you with bonus funds as an incentive to make a deposit. Other sportsbooks may offer a bonus after you place your first bet, or the promise of a refund if that first bet loses.
These bonuses generally take the form of site credit or bonus bets, which you can use to wager at that particular sportsbook but which you can’t withdraw on their own. These bonus funds also usually expire if you don’t use them within a certain time frame, so read the details of each bonus.
Soccer leagues and tournaments to bet on
There are multiple professional soccer leagues that US sportsbooks offer odds on, from the top-level leagues in Europe and North America, to second and third-tier leagues as well as international competitions. Below are some of the most popular leagues and tournaments among soccer bettors.
English Premier League
This is the highest level of professional soccer in England. It’s also one of the most-watched sports leagues of any type on the planet. The league consists of 20 teams. All teams play each other in the league twice per season for a total of 38 games per team.
Like many soccer leagues, it operates on a relegation system. The bottom three teams at the end of the season are demoted to the second-tier league (Championship). The top teams from that lower league join the Premier League for the next season. The top four EPL teams also earn the right to compete in the UEFA Champions League. This brings the teams additional income and exposure.
For more on the English Premier League, visit our EPL odds page.
UEFA Champions League
This is one of the most prestigious competitions in soccer. Competing in it is a source of pride for many clubs. The league consists of the top teams from multiple leagues. This includes the EPL, Bundesliga, and La Liga. This is an ongoing tournament structure that begins in the fall with qualifying matches, a group stage, and finally a knockout stage. It culminates with a title game in late spring.
Teams have to win their way into the league. Doing so brings them extra income and recognition, which translates to better signings and club profile.
For more the UEFA Champions League, visit our UCL odds page.
La Liga
This is Spain’s top professional league, consisting of 20 teams. Each team plays 38 games over the course of a season that runs from August to May. There’s also a system of promotion and relegation involving the country’s lower-tier leagues.
La Liga games regularly see some of the largest attendance numbers in all of pro sports. Its top teams also compete in the UEFA Champions League.
Bundesliga
This is the top professional league in Germany and a destination for professional players from all over the world. It also uses a relegation system, and it sends top teams to compete in the Champions League. The league’s overall visibility outside of Europe has received a boost in recent years. A major contributor is international TV and streaming deals. It’s available in US homes to live stream weekly throughout a season that runs from August to May.
MLS
Major League Soccer is the highest level of professional soccer in the US and Canada. It has increasingly become a popular destination even for well-known players from Europe and South America. Unlike most European leagues, MLS runs through the summer and culminates with a tournament to crown a champion in the fall. Its top teams play in the CONCACAF Champions League, along with clubs from Central America and the Caribbean.
FIFA World Cup
The World Cup is by far the biggest and most prestigious tournament in international soccer. It’s also one of the most-watched sporting events on the planet. Taking place every four years, it pits the best national teams against one another.
The tournament format begins with group play before moving on to a knockout round that ends with a champion. The tournament takes place in different locations at multiple stadiums. Ultimately, it’s a proving ground for the sport’s top players and gives countries bragging rights for years.
Soccer betting apps
FanDuel Sportsbook
Like DraftKings, FanDuel began as a daily fantasy sports provider and has grown into a force in online sports betting. It offers smooth and intuitive navigation, as well as a range of betting options for soccer games.
FanDuel Sportsbook is available in the following states: AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV and WY.
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM has been steadily building its online brand and is now available in a number of states. It also offers a range of odds on multiple professional soccer leagues.
BetMGM Sportsbook is available in the following states: AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, MS, NJ, OH, NV, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV and WY. Note: Offer not available in DC, MS, NV or NY.
PointsBet Sportsbook
The Australian-based PointsBet has seen rapid growth since its US debut in 2019. The company has been an innovator in offering new ways to bet on games, including short-term betting options, known as “lightning bets.”
PointsBet Sportsbook is available in the following states: CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA and WV.
BetRivers Sportsbook
BetRivers began as a regional presence but has become a bigger player in the sports betting world. It boasts a strong rewards program and offers multiple types of bets on various professional soccer leagues.
BetRivers is available in the following states: AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, LA, MD, MI, OH, NJ, NY, PA, VA and WV.
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings is one of the most well-known and widespread online sports betting companies. Based in Boston, it offers multiple betting options for almost every major soccer league, including many of the second- and third-tier leagues in Europe. DraftKings also has a sign-up bonus for new users.
DraftKings Sportsbook is available in the following states: AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV and WY.
Soccer betting terms
Moneylines: This is a straightforward bet on one team to win, or on the game to end in a draw. When picking a winning side, the margin of victory does not matter.
Spreads: This is a bet that takes into account the final margin of victory. If the spread on a team is, for example, -1.5, that means a bet on this team would be successful only if the team wins by two goals or more. If the spread is +1.5, a bet on that team would be successful if the team wins by any margin or loses by only one goal.
Over/unders (totals): This is a bet on the total goals both teams will combine to score in a game. If the sportsbook sets a line of 2.5, for instance, an “over” bet would win if the two teams combine to score three or more goals. Otherwise, bets on the under would win.
Prop bets: A prop (short for proposition) allows you to bet on specific instances that may occur during a game. Most sportsbooks offer player props, team props and game props. Player props could, for instance, include whether a specific player will score a goal or notch an assist. Team props are similar but involve wagering on one team’s accomplishments. Game props are about things that may happen during the game but aren’t tied to any one player, such as the total number of corner kicks.
Parlays: These allow you to combine bets on multiple matches or multiple teams. The more legs you add to a parlay, the greater the odds and thus the potential payoff become. But all it takes is one leg of a parlay failing to tank the whole bet. Some sportsbooks also offer same-game parlays, where you can combine multiple bets from the same game together.
Both teams to score: This is a bet on whether both teams will score at least one goal over the course of the game. The final score and winning side do not matter. It’s only a question of each team scoring at least once.
Halftime/full time: This is a bet on which team will be winning at halftime and when the game ends. The goal margin does not matter. It’s simply about picking the team in the lead.
To be booked/sent off: This is a player prop bet that allows you to bet on whether an individual player will be booked (meaning to receive a yellow card for a foul) or sent off with a red card. Some sportsbooks also offer game props along these same lines, wherein you can bet on how many yellow cards there will be in a game or on whether any player will receive a red card.
Upcoming soccer dates
Aug. 31: UEFA Champions League group stage draw
Sept. 19: UEFA Champions League group play begins
Soccer betting FAQs
Can I bet on soccer?
Yes. Most legal US sportsbooks offer odds on every game in the major professional leagues, as well as some lower-tier leagues in Europe. In addition, most sportsbooks will offer odds on international matches.
When do professional soccer leagues usually play?
In Europe, pro soccer leagues typically begin play in August and run through May, with games mostly concentrated on the weekends. In North America, leagues usually run through the summer and conclude in the fall.
How is betting on soccer different from betting on MLB, the NFL, the NBA, etc.?
One of the major differences is the availability of draw bets on most soccer games. In addition to offering odds on each team to win, sportsbooks will also offer moneyline odds on the game to end in a draw, which happens with some frequency in most professional leagues.
What happens to my bet if there’s an extra period to determine a winner?
When a winner must be determined — in the knockout round of an international tournament like the World Cup, for example — extra periods or a penalty kick shootout may be necessary. For the purposes of moneyline betting, most sportsbooks consider that result a draw, regardless of which team wins in the end, simply because there was no winner at the end of full time.
What is relegation, and how does it work?
The major professional leagues in Europe operate on similar systems of relegation and promotion. A team can get promoted into a higher league by finishing in the top few spots of the league standings. Teams that finish in the bottom (usually the lowest three or four) are relegated to a lower league. These are also things that sportsbooks will typically offer odds on.