The Super Bowl is the most popular sporting event in the world in terms of sports betting. Super Bowl betting is so popular that, on average, $6.8 billion is bet on the game each year. Even the most casual gamblers are likely to place Super Bowl bets.
There are a lot of choices for Super Bowl bets. The simplest Super Bowl bets can be placed on who will win the game. There are also spread bets and a wide variety of props bets. It might seem a bit overwhelming at first, but we break it all down below.
Our Super Bowl betting guide can help even the most casual gamblers make the best Super Bowl bets. If you’re wondering how to bet on the Super Bowl, we explain all the details below. We also cover the current Super Bowl odds.
Legal Online Betting on the Super Bowl
Overview in maintenance
How to Bet on the Super Bowl Online
If you’re trying to place Super Bowl bets online, you’re spoiled for choice. There is no shortage of legal online betting sites in the USA today. However, not all US states allow online sports betting.
If you’re located in a state with legal online sports betting, you’ll first have to choose a sportsbook. Most legal states have multiple online sportsbooks. The most well-known are DraftKings and FanDuel. These sites operate in most legal states.
On these online sportsbooks, there will be a dedicated section specifically for Super Bowl betting. It might be located under the NFL section on the site. From there, you can see all the available Super Bowl betting choices.
There are lots of Super Bowl betting options. The simplest bets are spreads, moneyline, and totals bets. The moneyline bet is the most straightforward. For this bet, you basically just choose who you think will win the game. Betting on the underdog is riskier but will results in a bigger payout if you win.
With the spread bet, you bet on the difference between the winning and losing teams’ final scores. Sportsbooks will determine a point range for spreads.
The totals bet is also called the over or the under. For this bet, you wager on the total number of points scored by both teams in the game.
Super Bowl Props Bets
Super Bowl props bets are also popular. In fact, they are one of the most popular Super Bowl bets. Sportsbooks offer a ton of Super Bowl props bets that you won’t find on other games. You can place a props bet on who will score the first Super Bowl touchdown. You can even bet on the color of Gatorade that gets poured on the winning coach..
There is also a very active market for Super Bowl futures bets. Here, gamblers can place bets on the upcoming Super Bowl at any time. Futures odds for next year’s Super Bowl are already posted at major online sportsbooks. Lots of bets have already been placed on who will win the upcoming Super Bowl.
2021 Super Bowl Odds
It’s been a rocky year thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. Most major league sports paused gameplay for a few months while things settled down. Many resumed with virtual audiences in empty stadiums.
Additionally, upcoming sports seasons have been dealing with some uncertainty. It’s not clear how the 2021 season will work for the NFL or other leagues. However, futures odds for Super Bowl 55 have already been posted for some time. Lots of bets have already been placed on the game.
The main favorite to win the 2021 Super Bowl is last year’s winner, the Kansas City Chiefs. Presently, the Baltimore Ravens are also heavily favored. Other early favorites include the San Francisco 49ers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (with new leadership from Tom Brady), and the New Orleans Saints.
Major online sportsbooks like FanDuel and DraftKings have had Super Bowl futures bets posted for a while now. However, the 2021 Super Bowl odds have changed a bit since the draft. Below you’ll find the most current Super Bowl odds for the upcoming season.
2021 Super Bowl Daily Fantasy Sports Contests
Daily fantasy sports (DFS) is popular among sports fans. There are a few major DFS sites offering Super Bowl contests for the 2021 season.
Both FanDuel and DraftKings dominate the DFS market in the USA. Both these sites are offering 2021 Super Bowl DFS contests.
Additionally, both sites had successful Super Bowl DFS contests last season too. Over $1 million in prizes was given to the winner last year. Click below to sign up for Super Bowl DFS with our exclusive bonuses!
- DraftKings Super Bowl Millionaire – new accounts deposit $5 and get $20 in free cash!
- FanDuel Big Game Bowl – get $5 free when you sign up and $5 when you deposit!
2021 Super Bowl Free Contests
The Super Bowl gets a lot of attention from even the most casual sports fans. The big online sportsbooks know this, so they also offer some free contests. Super Bowl free contests are a great way to make some predictions without risking your own cash.
Below you’ll find info on a few free Super Bowl contests from major online sportsbooks:
DraftKings $54,000 Super Bowl Squares
- Free to play
- Prize pool of $54,000
- Game only on the DraftKings app
- Available in every state including non-legalized markets
How to access:
- Download the DraftKings app
- Create a new account / Login if you have one already
- Click on “Rewards” at the bottom of the main page
- From there, click on “Promotions”
- Find the Super Bowl squares promo, click PLAY FREE
- Pick your square at random
- See if your numbers hit!
FanDuel Big Game Bingo
FanDuel is once again offering its popular $25,000 Big Game Bingo free Super Bowl contest.
Here’s how to access it:
- Download the FanDuel app
- Create a new account / Login if you already have one
- Find the “Free Games” page within the app
- From there, you can claim a free Big Game Bingo card (must be done before kickoff)
- Every card has a random collection of 24 game/pop culture props on it and a free square
- Your card’s squares are tracked automatically as the game is played
- If you get bingo with 5 squares in any straight line (diagonals work), you get a share of the $25k prize!
Additionally, every player gets 1,000 free FanDuel Points even if they don’t win
Super Bowl MVP Props Bets
The MVP Super Bowl bet is one of the game’s most popular bets. It’s a heavily debated choice every season. Overall, the Super Bowl MVP award is given to the player who made the single greatest impact on the game’s outcome. In most years, the award is given to the winning team’s quarterback.
Here’s a few statistics on recent Super Bowl MVP winners:
- In the last 11 Super Bowl games, a quarterback won MVP eight times. For example, Patrick Mahomes won Super Bowl MVP in 2020.
- There have been 54 Super Bowl MVP awards given out to date. Out of all those awards, quarterbacks have won MVP 30 times.
Generally, betting on a quarterback to win Super Bowl MVP is a pretty safe bet. However, quarterbacks don’t always win. In some years, star receivers or running backs are given the award. For example, in 2019 the award was given to wide receiver Julian Edelman. In rare cases, kickers win the award if clutch field goals decide the game. Defensive players are sometimes given Super Bowl MVP too. In fact, a defensive player won the award in 2 of the last 10 Super Bowl games.
2021 Super Bowl LV: Date, Time, and How to Watch
The Super Bowl is a big event, so it’s planned well in advance. The location and kickoff time for Super Bowl LV have already been set. The broadcast rights have been given to CBS. Cable viewers will be able to watch the give live on local CBS network affiliate stations. Additionally, the game is available through a wide variety of streaming platforms.
- Gameday: Sunday, February 7, 2021
- Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT
- Stadium: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL
- Network: CBS
- Network Streaming: CBS.com, CBSsports.com, and CBS Sports app via phone, tablet, and connected TV devices (Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Chromecast)
- Third-Party Streaming: DirecTV Now, Fubo TV, Hulu with Live TV, PlayStation Vue, YouTube TV
Super Bowl Betting Tips
In many ways, Super Bowl betting is just like betting on any other sporting event. The same standard handicapping rules apply.
Some gamblers take this very seriously. They are very active and experienced bettors with detailed methods for placing bets. However, since the Super Bowl is so popular, it attracts a lot of novice gamblers too.
Keep in mind that there’s no right or wrong way to place Super Bowl bets. It really comes down to each person’s knowledge of the season and the matchup. Some gamblers just get a gut feeling and stick with it. However, you can give yourself better chances at winning by doing a bit of research.
Super Bowl Betting History
If you look back in Super Bowl betting history, you won’t find any magic bullets. Things are actually quite evenly spread. Below you’ll find a couple stats on Super Bowl favorites and totals in the game’s history:
- Favorites are 27-25-2 against the spread in all-time Super Bowl history
- Overs are 26-26-1 in all-time Super Bowl history (there was no totals betting for Super Bowl I)
Surprisingly, the stats show that it’s nearly a 50/50 split in terms of favorites winning the Super Bowl. You might as well just flip a coin! However, if you do a little research, you can move this in your favor. Keeping up to date on season stats will give you better a chance at picking the right team.
Not all Super Bowl matchups promise to be great games. Some years, it’s a total blowout. However, in other years gameplay is fierce and scores are close right until the end. Doing some research into the matchup can help you get an idea of what this year will bring. Looking at season stats and previous matchups can reveal which team has better chances at winning.
However, everyone has their own opinion based on the stats. If you don’t feel like doing the groundwork yourself, you can easily find others who freely give out info.
Super Bowl Betting Projections
Most people would be surprised to know just how much money is wagered on the Super Bowl each year. With more states legalizing online sports betting, that amount is likely to grow in the coming years.
The American Gaming Association distributes surveys and tracks gambling data across the USA. For Super Bowl LIV, the AGA reported these numbers:
- Approximately $6.8 billion was bet on Super Bowl LIV
- Roughly 26 million Americans placed bets on Super Bowl LIV
However, keep in mind that the numbers above include more than just legal gambling markets. The AGA also takes into account estimated wagers from illegal gambling markets.
For the upcoming Super Bowl, we did our own research into legal markets only. Here is what we discovered:
- Estimated $400 million in total legal Super Bowl bets
- Bet in Nevada valued at $160 million
- Estimated $100 million bet in New Jersey
You probably noticed the massive discrepancy between our numbers and the AGA data. This gap of hundreds of millions of dollars all goes into illegal gambling markets. This is a major reason that more states are now legalizing sports betting.
Legal Super Bowl Betting
There are a few US states that offer legal Super Bowl betting. More will likely join the list soon. For now, these are the only states where you can place legal Super Bowl bets:
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Indiana
- West Virginia
- New Hampshire
- Colorado
Why Bet at Legal Sportsbooks?
Certainly, placing illegal Super Bowl bets is very common. However, it’s a risky thing to do. With more legal US markets opening all the time, more gamblers now have the option to place legal Super Bowl bets.
Legal Super Bowl betting is much safer than black market betting. First, your money is protected. You’re guaranteed a payout if you win. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about criminal activity.
These are some of the main reasons to place Super Bowl bets at legal sportsbooks:
- Sportsbooks in US states that allow sports betting are fully legal and regulated. They are 100% fair to all players. That can’t be said for offshore betting sites and black market sportsbooks. If you have a problem with offshore or illegal betting sites, you probably won’t be able to resolve the issue.
- At legal sportsbooks, your money is protected under the law. The sportsbook is under the close watch of regulatory organizations. These organizations make sure that money is handled properly. At offshore sportsbooks and illegal betting sites, there are zero guarantees that your money is safe.
- Sportsbooks operating in legal US markets are licensed by the proper organizations. Consequently, these sportsbooks don’t want to risk their licenses in any way. Getting a betting license is expensive and takes a long time. It’s not worth the risk of losing it.
Super Bowl LV Betting
Super Bowl 55 futures bets are already active at major online sportsbooks. These odds will continually change. That’s especially true once the season gets underway. As the NFL season progresses, odds will fluctuate regularly. There’s always the chance that an underdog will perform well. In that case, odds will change quite a bit.
Most Popular Super Bowl Bets
The Super Bowl has more betting options than almost any other sporting event. It’s a very popular game, and it attracts a lot of bettors.
These are the most popular Super Bowl bets:
- Point Spread Bet: These bets take into account the point spread between the winning and losing team. With a spread bet, you chose the team you think will win and the point spread they will win by.
- Moneyline Bet: This is a very simple bet. For the moneyline bet, you are only betting on who will win the game.
- Totals Bet: This bet is placed on the total number of points scored in the game. Sportsbook oddsmakers will set a benchmark point total for the Super Bowl. Bettors must decide to bet on whether the final total will be over or under that benchmark.
- Props Bet: These bets take place outside of the Super Bowl final score and winning team. These bets are placed on specific events within the game. For example, a common Super Bowl props bet is first to score a touchdown. Additionally, passing and rushing yards are common props bets.
Overall, most of the pre-game betting excitement comes from the more traditional bets. However, sportsbooks have made Super Bowl props bets a huge opportunity. It seems like every year, sportsbooks add more props bets. The Super Bowl has more props bets available than any other sporting event.
There are some pretty special Super Bowl props bets. For example, gamblers can bet on the color of Gatorade dumped on the winning coach. Additionally, some sportsbooks even offer a props bet on the length of the pre-game national anthem.
Why Does the Super Bowl Betting Line Change?
The Super Bowl betting line won’t be released until the final matchup is decided in the playoffs. Once the teams are decided, sportsbook oddsmakers will post the Super Bowl betting line.
Super Bowl odds on the moneyline bet will tell you which team is favored to win the game. Oddsmakers will also post totals numbers which give you a benchmark estimate of total points scored.
The Super Bowl spread bet is interesting because you can win your bet even if your team loses. Here’s how the Super Bowl spread typically works:
- Oddsmakers determine a spread for the game
- To win a bet on the favored team, that teams needs to win by a set number of points to “cover the spread”
- To win a bet on the underdog, that team must keep the margin smaller than what’s set by the spread. You can win a spread bet on the underdog even if the underdog loses the game.
Super Bowl odds for the spread constantly change as gamely approaches. Occasionally, the favored team changes too. The 2019 Super Bowl is a great example.
In Super Bowl LIII in 2019, the matchup featured the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots. Early on, the Rams were favored over the Patriots. However, once Super Bowl betting began, this changed. By kickoff time, the Patriots were actually the favorite in terms of betting odds.
Every Super Bowl gambling aficionado has a different strategy. Some bettors like to bet as soon as the Super Bowl betting line is revealed. However, others prefer to wait until almost the last possible minute. Ultimately, neither method is right or wrong. Just be aware that Super Bowl betting odds can change suddenly. If you see a spread that looks good to you, it’s probably best to jump on it.
Super Bowl Futures Betting
There is a highly active Super Bowl futures betting market. Even before the NFL season begins, sportsbooks will release odds for every team in the league. These odds are determined based on the previous season. Additionally, drafts and trades are taken in to account. However, some sportsbooks will release futures odds as soon as the current Super Bowl ends.
It’s really up to you when you choose to place a Super Bowl futures bet. Some people like to bet early based on a good feeling in their gut. This can make the upcoming NFL season even more exciting each week.
However, keep in mind that futures odds change all the time. As the preseason rolls on, things happen. Players are traded or drafted, some retire, and others are injured. All these things impact the Super Bowl odds for futures bets.
When Things Change Faster
Additionally, once the regular season begins, things change even faster. Players are more likely to be injured during the season. Team performance each week also directly impacts futures odds. It’s possible that a preseason favorite might flop once the season begins. Conversely, preseason underdogs sometimes storm out of the gates once the season starts.
For example, the 2019 NFL season saw this exact thing happen. In the preseason, the Cleveland Browns got a lot of attention in the media. Consequently, many bettors placed futures bets on the Browns to win Super Bowl LIII. However, once regular season play began, it became clear that the Browns would not make it.
Conversely, the San Francisco 49ers were pretty neglected in the 2019 NFL preseason. However, once the season started, the 49ers made everyone take notice. As the team had week after week of good results, it attracted more futures bets.
As more Super Bowl futures bets are placed, odds will change too. Certain favored teams will get most of the attention. As more bets are placed on these teams, their odds shorten or decrease. Conversely, teams who get little attention could see their odds lengthen or increase as time passes.
Placing a Super Bowl futures bet is a great way to keep yourself invested all season long. If you pick the right team, you just might get a big payout at the end.
Biggest Super Bowl Bets Ever Made
The Super Bowl is the most watched sporting event in the USA. Additionally, it attracts a lot of international attention. As a result, Super Bowl betting is usually quite active. Most bettors don’t have huge sums to wager, but there are some that do.
Prior to Super Bowl LIII in 2019, there were some massive bets. These are the biggest wagers placed on the game between the Rams and Patriots:
- $2 million on the Rams moneyline
- $1 million on the Patriots -2.5 point spread
- $50,000 futures bet on the Rams (possible $175K payout)
- $15,000 futures bet on the Patriots (possible $75K payout)
Ultimately, the Patriots won Super Bowl LIII with a final score of 13-3. Bettors who went big on the Patriots moneyline and spread bets had a lot to celebrate. However, for those who bet big on the Rams, it wasn’t a great day.
Here’s a few more impressive numbers from Super Bowl LIII:
- $159 million in Super Bowl bets taken by by Nevada sportsbooks
- $1.17 million won by Nevada sportsbooks (total hold under 1%)
- $4.6 billion in estimated illegal Super Bowl bets
Super Bowl Commercials & Halftime Show
Advertisers and networks struck gold when Super Bowl commercials became popular. Specifically, they struck millions of dollars in advertising profits. It’s expensive to place even a short ad during the Super Bowl. However, with millions of viewers, it’s a great way to be seen.
In fact, many people with zero interest in football watch the Super Bowl just for the ads. Super Bowl commercials have taken on a life of their own over the last few decades. Today, they are highly anticipated.
To get an idea of just how profitable Super Bowl ads are, check out these numbers from 2019:
- CBS charged advertisers $5.25 million for a 30-second ad during the peak of the broadcast
- The price for Super Bowl ads has almost doubled in 10 years – it was $2.69 million for 30 seconds in 2008
- According to Nielsen viewership ratings, about 98.2 million people watched Super Bowl LIII
With so many viewers, it’s no secret why advertisers are willing to pay. Additionally, because Super Bowl ads have become so highly anticipated, there is guaranteed viewership.
The Super Bowl Halftime Show is also a highly anticipated event. In the early years, this show featured marching bands and simple performances. However, today the Super Bowl Halftime Show is a massive performance. Major bands from all genres have played the show over the years. Some of the big names in the last few decades include The Who, The Rolling Stones, Lady Gaga, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Coldplay, Justin Timberlake, and Madonna.
Super Bowl Trivia & Facts
The Super Bowl has a long history with more than 55 games played to date. Over the years, history has been made time and time again. Below are a few fun facts from the last 55 years of Super Bowl games.
How Did the Super Bowl Start?
The Super Bowl is the final game in the NFL season each year. It’s the league’s championship game. Every year, the two best teams from the playoff season meet in February to decide who is the champion.
Initially, the Super Bowl was a meeting of champions from two separate football leagues. Before the NFL dominated the pro football scene, it competed with the American Football Conference or AFC. Historically, the Super Bowl was a way for each league’s champions to see which team was best.
Eventually, the AFC and the NFL merged to create the National Football League we know today. Once this occurred, the first modern Super Bowl took place. It then became the final game in the NFL season.
Super Bowl I (known as the World Championship Game at the time) was held on January 15, 1967. It took place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. In this game, the Kansas City Chiefs players against the Green Bay Packers. The Packers won with a final score of 35-10.
Which NFL Teams Have the Most Super Bowl Wins?
Over the last 55+ Super Bowl games, a few teams have had more success than most. These are the NFL teams with the most Super Bowl wins:
- Six Super Bowl wins: New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Five Super Bowl wins: Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers
- Four Super Bowl wins: Green Bay Packers, New York Giants
- Three Super Bowl wins: Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Washington Redskins
Which NFL Teams Have Made the Most Super Bowl Appearances?
These are the top five NFL teams in terms of total Super Bowl appearances:
- New England Patriots: 11 appearances, 6-5 record
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 8 appearances, 6-2 record
- Dallas Cowboys: 8 appearances, 5-3 record
- Denver Broncos: 8 appearances, 3-5 record
- San Francisco 49ers: 6 appearances, 5-1 record
Which NFL Teams Have Won Consecutive Super Bowl Games?
In total, seven NFL teams have won back-to-back Super Bowl victories. They are the Packers, Dolphins, Steelers, 49ers, Cowboys, Broncos and the Patriots. Of these teams, the Steelers are the only one to achieve back-to-back wins twice in their history.
There are no NFL teams with more than two consecutive Super Bowl wins. However, a few teams have lost consecutive Super Bowls. They are the Vikings, Broncos, and Bills.
Which NFL Teams Have the Most Consecutive Super Bowl Losses?
The Buffalo Bills have the most consecutive Super Bowl loses. The Bills made it to the Super Bowl and lost every year from 1991 to 1994.
Which NFL Teams Have Never Won the Super Bowl?
Out of 32 teams in the NFL, 28 have made it to the Super Bowl at least one time. These are the 4 teams who have never made it to the Super Bowl:
- Cleveland Browns
- Detroit Lions
- Houston Texans
- Jacksonville Jaguars
Additionally, there are 8 NFL teams who have made it to the Super Bowl but never won. Below you’ll find a list of those teams and their Super Bowl records:
- Minnesota Vikings: 0-4
- Buffalo Bills: 0-4
- Cincinnati Bengals: 0-2
- Carolina Panthers: 0-2
- Atlanta Falcons: 0-2
- Los Angeles Chargers: 0-1
- Tennessee Titans: 0-1
- Arizona Cardinals: 0-1
The 12 NFL teams listed above have never won the Super Bowl.
Which NFL Teams Have Had Super Bowl Rematches?
There are a few NFL teams who have met more than once in Super Bowl games. However, the same two teams have met consecutively just once. This occurred in the 1992 and 1993 NFL seasons. The Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills made it to the Super Bowl in both years. The Cowboys won both times.
These teams have also met in Super Bowl games more than once, but not consecutively:
- Cowboys vs. Steelers: 1975, 1978, 1995
- Dolphins vs. Redskins: 1972, 1982
- 49ers vs. Bengals: 1981, 1988
- Giants vs. Patriots: 2007, 2011
- Patriots vs. Eagles: 2004, 2017
- Patriots vs. Rams: 2001, 2018
Super Bowl FAQ
When and Where is the 2021 Super Bowl?
The 2021 Super Bowl will be Super Bowl LV (Super Bowl 55). It will be held on February 7, 2021. It will be held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. CBS has the broadcast rights for this game.
This is the third time a Super Bowl has been held at Raymond James Stadium. Previously, the most recent Super Bowl there was Super Bowl XLIII in 2009. In this game, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals with a score of 27-23.
Which NFL Player Has the Most Super Bowl Rings?
It is in fact Tom Brady who has the most Super Bowl rings. He currently has six rings, all won with the New England Patriots. Second to Tom Brady is Charles Hayley. Hayley has five Super Bowl rings. He won two with the San Francisco 49ers and three with the Dallas Cowboys.
Which NFL Team Has the Most Super Bowl Losses?
The New England Patriots and Denver Broncos are tied for the most Super Bowl losses. Both teams have 5 losses. However, the Patriots have won the Super Bowl in their six other appearances. The Broncos only have three Super Bowl wins.
Just behind these teams are the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills. Both these teams have four Super Bowl losses. Sadly, neither team has ever won a Super Bowl.
How Much is a Super Bowl Ring Worth?
To put it plainly, a pretty decent amount of money. However, exact numbers are hard to come by. Prices for the most recent Super Bowl rings have not been released. However, the latest rings are confirmed to be the most expensive to date.
We can judge the value of Super Bowl rings based on sales of older rings. For example, rings from Super Bowl XLIV in 2010 have sold for $36,500. Newer rings are likely worth more.
Who Has the Most Super Bowl Rushing and Passing Yards?
Once again, it’s Tom Brady who holds another Super Bowl record. Brady holds the record for the most passing yards in a single Super Bowl game. In Super Bowl LII in 2018, a game which the Patriots lost, Brady threw for 505 yards. Additionally, Brady holds the all-time Super Bowl passing record. In total, he has thrown for 2,838 yards over 9 total Super Bowl appearances.
For rushing yards, Timmy Smith holds the single game record. He rushed for 204 yards in Super Bowl XXII.
Franco Harris holds the all-time Super Bowl rushing record. He rushed for 354 yards over 4 total Super Bowl appearances.
In terms of receiving yards, Jerry Rice holds both records. His single game record of 215 yards was achieved in Super Bowl XXIII. He also holds the all-time Super Bowl receiving record at 589 yards over 4 appearances.
How Many Super Bowl Rings Does Tom Brady Have?
Tom Brady has 6 total Super Bowl rings to his name. His most recent was earned in Super Bowl LIII in 2019. In that game, the New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3.
Since 2019, Tom Brady has held the all-time Super Bowl win record for a single player. Previously, he was tied at 5 wins with Charles Hayley. Hayley was a defensive player who earned Super Bowl wins with the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys.