The high payouts and season-long engagement make futures betting an attractive way to wager on any league or event. A futures bet requires patience because it settles weeks or months down the road, such as picking a team to win the Super Bowl ahead of the 2026-27 season.

You can also wait to see how the early weeks of a season play out and place a futures bet once you have a better feel for which teams or players may peak in the postseason. Continue reading to see MLive’s expert guide to futures betting, including common mistakes to avoid if you’re new to it.

Futures betting overview: What is a future bet?

The table below provides a quick and comprehensive snapshot of the futures betting landscape. The best Michigan sportsbooks accept futures bets on every major sports league, but NFL futures betting is particularly popular.

📋 Category🔍 Futures betting details🎯 What it isA long-term wager on a season, tournament or award outcome🏟️ Common marketsChampionship winner, division/conference winner, MVP & season awards, win totals🔒 Odds lock-inYour price is locked at placement; later line moves don’t change your payout🧾 Odds formatAmerican (+500), decimal (6.00) or fractional (5/1)📈 Typical hold (vig)~15%–40%, far higher than the ~4%–5% on single-game lines💵 Example payout$10 bet at +1700 returns $180 ($170 profit)⏳ When it paysOnly after the market resolves (season or tournament ends)🔁 Early exitSometimes — via cash-out or a manual hedge🏈 Most popular marketsNFL futures (Super Bowl, playoffs, division winners, award races, etc.)🗓️ Best time to betPreseason/offseason for value, or after the market overreacts

Futures betting markets are released in the offseason, and the odds fluctuate as bets roll in. For instance, the Pistons hold +2500 odds to win the NBA Finals at DraftKings. If an influx of betting handle rolls in on Detroit, the odds will shrink.

Once the season starts, the odds will move based on a team’s record, injuries and future outlook. The odds may change, but the price you get stays the same once a future bet is locked in.

Reading futures odds is easy if you remember all wagers are based on a $100 stake. A $100 wager on the Pistons at +2500 returns a $2,500 profit if Detroit hoists the Larry O’Brien Trophy. The $100 standard works with minus odds, too. If you wager on Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani’s -130 odds to win the NL MVP award, you must stake $130 to win $100.

Some sportsbooks refund single-game wagers if a player suffers an injury, but that’s not the case with futures betting. Bettors who tail Ohtani’s MVP market in the preseason won’t see their bets voided if the two-way phenom sustains a season-ending injury in April.

Line shopping is vital for identifying the best value with any bet type, but it’s especially crucial with futures betting. Betting odds vary by sportsbook, and you’ll find bigger gaps with futures bets than daily markets such as player props or point spreads.

One betting site may give the Lions +1900 odds ($100 bet returns $1,900) to win the Super Bowl, while another lists Detroit at +1700 ($100 bet returns $1,700). Wagering on the shorter odds could prevent an extra $200 from hitting your account at the end of the season.

How future bets work across different sports

The most popular futures betting markets differ depending on the sport or league you’re targeting. Picking the conference championship winner is a go-to in college football, while NFL bettors prefer markets like the Super Bowl odds. Here’s a look at the top futures bets to place on every sport.

🏟️ Sport🎯 Popular futures markets📊 Example market🏈 NFLSuper Bowl, conference & division winners, MVP, season win totalsRams favored for Super Bowl LXI🏀 NBAFinals winner, conference champions, MVP, Rookie of the Year, win totalsKnicks to repeat as NBA champions⚾ MLBWorld Series, league pennants, division, MVP, Cy YoungShohei Ohtani to win NL MVP🏒 NHLStanley Cup, conference winners, Hart TrophyHurricanes or Panthers to win the 2026-27 Stanley Cup🏈 College footballNational championship, CFP qualifiers, conference titles, Heisman TrophyBryce Underwood to win the Heisman Trophy🏀 College basketballMarch Madness champion, Final Four, conference tournament winnersMichigan to repeat as national champions⛳ GolfMajor winners (Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, Open Championship)Scottie Scheffler to win The Masters in 2027⚽ SoccerPremier League title, Champions League, top scorer, World CupArsenal to win the 2026-27 Premier League title🥊 Combat sportsUFC/boxing title-fight outcomes, division championsJustin Gaethje to remain UFC champion by end of 2026🏁 MotorsportsF1 & NASCAR season championsDenny Hamlin to win the NASCAR Cup Series championship

Wagering on a team to win a championship often carries the highest odds and payout, but the sharpest value is found with derivatives markets. This includes division winners in the NFL, conference champions in college football and regular-season win totals. These futures bets can be easier to forecast because playoff variance is removed from the equation.

The gaudy payouts make it hard to pass on a championship winner futures bet, but the derivatives markets are a better starting point if you’re preparing to place your first future bet.

NFL future bets: Markets, win conditions and 2026 examples

The best betting apps accept more NFL future bets than any other sport. The 2026-27 season begins next month, and it’s important to understand the intricacies of NFL futures betting. Most options are straightforward, and these examples help clarify any confusion.

🎯 NFL futures market✅ How it wins📊 2026 season example 🏆 Super Bowl winnerIf your team wins Super Bowl LXIRams are the +550 favorites; Lions sit around +1800 to +1900🏈 Conference championIf your team wins the NFC/AFC ChampionshipBet the Lions to win the NFC Championship as a shorter-odds alternative to a Super Bowl ticket🗺️ Division winnerIf your team finishes atop its divisionLions (+170 to +180) are the NFC North favorite over the Packers, Bears and Vikings📈 Regular-season win totalBet over/under a projected win number; graded after Week 18Lions win total is set at 10.5 (over is roughly -110) after a 9-8 record last season🎟️ To make the playoffsYes/No on reaching the postseason; settles once a berth is clinched or eliminated“Lions to make playoffs — Yes” is a lower-variance play tied to their soft 2026 schedule🥇 NFL MVPIf your player takes the awardJosh Allen is the +550 to +650 favorite; Lamar Jackson (+800 to +850) is next🌟 Offensive Rookie of the YearIf your player wins OROY votingJeremiyah Love leads at +400 to +450 over Fernando Mendoza 📊 Player season propOver/under a full-season stat (e.g., passing yards, sacks); graded at season’s endBet Jared Goff to throw for more or less than 4,099.5 yards

Wagering on a team you’re familiar with is always recommended for newcomers, and the Lions project to have another strong season under head coach Dan Campbell. Detroit’s +1900 odds to win the Super Bowl are enticing, but I advise targeting a lower-variance futures bet.

According to NFL analyst Warren Sharp, the Lions have the easiest strength of schedule based on projected win totals. The division winner (+180), over 10.5 wins (-110) and playoff qualifier (-220) are strong markets to consider.

Remember to compare the odds at multiple sportsbooks before finalizing a future bet. The Lions are a +165 favorite to win the NFC North at bet365, while BetMGM offers the same market at +175. The difference isn’t jaw-dropping, but small margins add up over the course of the season.

MLB futures betting: Key market examples ahead of 2026 postseason

The race for the MLB playoffs is heating up. The American League is wide open, while the Dodgers, Brewers, Braves and Cubs are the strongest contenders to win the NL pennant. Houston’s Yordan Alvarez has a strong grip on the AL MVP odds, and Chicago’s Pete Crow-Armstrong has made significant ground on Ohtani for NL MVP.

Here are the key markets in MLB futures betting, including World Series odds.

🎯 MLB futures market✅ How it wins📊 2026 season example🏆 World Series winnerIf your team wins the World SeriesDodgers (+170 to +190) are clear favorites over the Yankees (+500)🏅 League pennant (AL/NL)If your team wins its league and reaches the World SeriesDodgers (+100) lead the NL; Yankees (+220) lead the AL🗺️ Division winnerIf your team finishes atop its divisionTigers are around +1100 to take the AL Central📈 Regular-season win totalBet over/under a projected win number; settles at game 162Win totals post in spring and settle after the regular season 🥇 League MVPIf your player takes the awardShohei Ohtani (-125 NL) and Yordan Alvarez (-800 AL) are the front-runners⚾ Cy YoungIf your pitcher wins his league’s awardJacob Misiorowski (-350 NL) and Cam Schlittler (-155 AL) lead the races📊 Player season propOver/under a full-season stat (home runs, strikeouts, RBIs); graded at season’s endTarik Skubal over/under strikeout total

Following last year’s run to the ALDS, Tigers fans had high hopes entering the 2026 MLB season. With long-shot odds of +15000 to win the World Series, it’s best to consider other markets if you’re looking to back Detroit with a future bet.

Shortstop Kevin McGonigle has exceeded all expectations in his first season with the big league club. McGonigle holds top odds to win AL Rookie of the Year (-250 at FanDuel), and White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami is McGonigle’s only real competition at +400. Every other player is listed at +1400 or longer.

If you’re holding an MLB futures ticket that still has hope, I recommend checking the bet slip to see if the sportsbook is offering a cash-out. The MLB trade deadline passed on August 3, and the odds may have shifted based on player movement. You could also hedge out with another contender in the market you targeted.

NBA betting futures: Markets explained for the 2026-27 season

The NBA betting futures markets are abnormally volatile following a busy summer. The 76ers signed LeBron James to a two-year deal and traded Paul George to the Celtics for Jaylen Brown. Elsewhere in the East, the Heat paid a steep price to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Bucks.

The 2026-27 season tips off in October, but it’s never too early to review the pivotal NBA futures bets.

🎯 NBA futures market✅ How it wins📊 2026-27 season example🏆 NBA Finals winnerIf your team wins the FinalsThunder (+260) and Spurs (+270) are co-favorites🏀 Conference championIf your team reaches and wins the East/West FinalsThunder (+125) lead the West; defending-champion Knicks (+330) top the East🗺️ Division winnerIf your team finishes atop its divisionPistons sit around -115 to win the Central in a three-team race📈 Regular-season win totalBet over/under a projected win number; graded after game 82Team win totals post in the fall and tighten through the preseason🥇 NBA MVPIf your player takes the awardVictor Wembanyama (+200) leads Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+350) and Nikola Jokić (+550)🛡️ Defensive Player of the YearIf your player wins DPOY votingWembanyama (-325) is the reigning unanimous winner and an early favorite again📊 Player season propOver/under a full-season stat (points, rebounds, assists per game); graded at season’s endOver/under on Cade Cunningham’s points per game this season

Despite earning the top seed in the Eastern Conference last season, the Pistons NBA championship odds are as high as +3000 at BetMGM. They’re tied with the Cavaliers for the ninth-best odds and slightly trail the Nuggets (+2500), Timberwolves (+2500) and Heat (+2800).

I’m hesitant to back Detroit emerging from a loaded field of East contenders, but Cade Cunningham’s MVP odds are a more realistic option. Cunningham’s odds range from +1700 to +2500 after finishing fifth in MVP voting last season. He led the Pistons to the third-most wins in the league while ranking second in assists per game.

Offseason player movement can cause NBA futures odds to shift in the blink of an eye. If you see a market and price you like, lock in the bet instead of waiting for potentially worse odds.

Futures betting strategy: Timing, value, hedging and cash-out

Finding success with futures betting takes time. The lucrative payouts are great, but the high odds are also the reason why many futures bets don’t cross the finish line. Implementing the following strategies will help improve your chances of hitting a long-term wager.

Timing is extremely important. The top value is typically available in the preseason when fans and analysts are working to identify the contenders and pretenders in a given league. If oddsmakers overreact to injuries or deceptive losing skids, consider placing a future bet while the rest of the market eyes other teams.

Implied probability calculators are an extremely useful tool. Plug in the odds for a futures market to see the chance of the wager winning. For example, a bet with +500 odds has an implied probability of 16.67%. You should submit a futures bet only if your estimate is higher than the posted probability.

Searching multiple sportsbooks for the best odds can be time-consuming, but it’s worth the effort to get top value on your wagers. Sportsbooks typically have a 15% to 40% hold on futures odds, and line shopping allows you to cut the house edge substantially.

Last but not least is knowing when to hedge or cash out. As your future bet gets close to settling, a wager on another team or cashing out can guarantee a profit. Hedging with a second bet is generally preferred because betting sites often offer below-market value on cash outs.

Common future betting mistakes to avoid

Trial and error is expected when you start exploring futures betting. However, first-timers can get off on the right foot by avoiding these common missteps:

• Strictly betting favorites: There’s nothing wrong with backing the favorite in a futures market, but you shouldn’t do it every time you place a bet. Favorites offer the worst value on the board and still hold risk when priced at plus odds.
• Ignoring roster changes: If the odds on a futures bet seem too good to be true, do some research to make sure you aren’t missing anything. Injuries and trades can greatly impact a team’s potential, and sportsbooks don’t void futures wagers if a few star players are sidelined.
• Over-allocating bankroll: Aim to allocate 5% to 15% of your betting bankroll to futures markets at a given time. If you overcommit on futures betting, you’ll have minimal funds remaining to wager on daily and weekly matchups.
• Taking the first price you see: If you spot a futures bet with solid odds, there could be another sportsbook offering an even better price. Placing a wager without shopping around leaves potential profits on the table.

If you ever feel that your betting habits are becoming problematic, reach out to one of the many helpful responsible gambling resources in Michigan.

Where to place a future bet: Best sportsbooks for futures

Every sportsbook has different strengths and selling points for futures betting. Check below to see which site fits your style, and compare the best Michigan sportsbook promos.

📱 Sportsbook🎯 Futures strength🎁 New-user offerFanDuelWidest win-total & player-prop futures, easy futures carousel and periodic “Futures Day” boostsBet $5 daily, get up to $1,000 in bonuses over five daysDraftKingsMost diverse selection of futures markets and futures parlaysSpend $5, get a guaranteed $150 bonusBetMGMConsistently competitive futures odds and frequent profit boostsBet $10, land a $150 bonus if you winbet365Deep global markets and outrights; Michigan’s newest sportsbookBet $10, get $150 in bonus bets, win or lose

I keep accounts with multiple betting apps strictly to compare the odds for future betting opportunities. The payout gap on a Super Bowl winner or an MLB MVP odds wager is significantly larger than daily bets on a point spread or over/under. If you don’t have accounts with the sportsbooks listed above, sign up to take advantage of new-user bonuses for your futures bets.

MORE FROM OUR SPORTS BETTING EXPERTS

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.