They say good things come to those who wait — and nowhere is that truer than in futures betting. Unlike daily wagers that settle within hours, futures bets reward patience, often stretching weeks or months into the future. Some bettors love the long-term thrill; others prefer instant results.
Before diving in, it’s crucial to understand how futures bets work — what qualifies as a “futures” wager, how the odds are set, and when payouts actually hit your account. This 2025 guide breaks it all down clearly and objectively, giving you a no-fluff look at one of the most strategic bet types in sports. Let’s get started.
A futures bet is exactly what it sounds like — a wager predicting the outcome of an event that will be decided well down the road. While every bet involves some element of forecasting, futures bets typically focus on results that won’t be settled for weeks, months, or even years. These are most commonly tied to championships, awards, or major tournaments. Once the market closes, there’s usually a long wait between placing the bet and learning whether it paid off.
At the start of an NFL season, for instance, top-rated sportsbooks will post futures markets for outcomes like the 2026 Super Bowl winner, league MVP, or the player with the most touchdowns. These aren’t tied to a single game or series but rather to season-long or tournament-wide results announced at the end of the campaign.
Futures betting also extends to global events — from the 2026 FIFA World Cup to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles — where bettors can back nations, athletes, or medal totals long before the competition begins.
For example, if a bettor places a futures wager on the Dallas Mavericks to win the NBA Championship before the season tips off, the bet only pays if the team survives the entire postseason and lifts the trophy — a tough but potentially lucrative prediction.
The payout structure for futures bets is simple and consistent with what you’ll find in most betting guides. Whatever odds were locked in when the wager was placed determine the final return if the bet wins — regardless of how those odds may shift afterward.
For instance, if you place a $100 futures bet at 7.0 (6/1) odds, you’d earn $700 total if it hits — your $100 stake plus $600 in profit. Likewise, a $100 wager at +1100 would return $1,200 in total ($1,100 profit plus your original stake). These long-term bets can deliver large payouts precisely because of their uncertainty and duration.
However, even if your pick looks like a sure thing midway through the season, the sportsbook won’t release any winnings until the outcome is officially confirmed. Futures bets are only settled once the event is over — not a moment before. This means your money remains tied up for weeks or months, testing your patience and bankroll management.
There are cases where a result seems mathematically guaranteed before a season ends (for example, a team clinching its conference early), but most sportsbooks still won’t pay out on futures bets until the final whistle of the last game.
The first and most obvious advantage of futures bets is the potential for large payouts. Predicting outcomes far in advance almost always comes with higher odds, which means greater rewards for those willing to take the risk. Wagers like PSG to win Ligue 1 typically come with short odds since they’re heavy favorites. However, a bet on Tottenham to win the Premier League — as outsiders — offers much more lucrative potential if they manage to pull it off.
This gives bettors the chance to stake small amounts and win big, something that’s relatively rare in sports betting. For example, a $50 bet on Tottenham to win the 2025/26 Premier League at +1200 would return $650 in total ($600 profit plus the original stake) if they lift the trophy — not bad for a season-long wager.
Another appealing aspect of futures betting is the ongoing engagement it creates. Because these wagers often remain alive deep into the campaign, bettors can follow their predictions throughout the season, adding extra excitement to every match.
By the end of a thrilling season, that long wait might pay off in a major way. Depending on the odds locked in and the stake placed, a single well-judged futures bet can turn into one of the most cost-effective and rewarding experiences in all of sports betting.
One of the main reasons most bettors stick to day-to-day markets is financial liquidity. Many prefer to keep their bankroll moving rather than locking up funds for months at a time. With futures bets, your stake is tied up until the season ends — which isn’t ideal for bettors chasing quick action or instant gratification.
Another key drawback is unpredictability. Over a long campaign, anything can happen — injuries, trades, suspensions, managerial changes, or a sudden loss of form. For instance, a bettor backing the New York Jets to win the 2025–26 Super Bowl might have felt confident after a strong preseason, only to see that optimism fade if a star quarterback goes down or mid-season results don’t go as planned. The same principle applies across all sports: preseason confidence can vanish quickly once real games begin.
Because of this uncertainty, futures bets should always be viewed as a long-term strategy, not a guaranteed payout. The upside can be substantial, but so can the volatility.
Finally, hedging — a common risk-management tactic — is much harder with futures wagers. Once odds move dramatically during the season, covering both sides can become too expensive for most bettors. That’s why it’s essential to assess potential hedging options before placing a futures bet, not after your stake is already locked in.
