The Final Four matchups are set with #3 Illinois vs #2 UConn and #1 Michigan vs #1 Arizona taking place this Saturday evening. The Final Four and National Championship games will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis this weekend.
Michigan, Arizona and Duke were the three pretournament favorites, but with Duke’s last second loss to UConn in the Elite Eight, there are now just 2 of the big favorites remaining. Illinois and UConn were both considered contenders in the second tier (around 20-1 to 25-1 odds) leading into the tournament. The current odds to win the title have Michigan (+160), Arizona (+175), Illinois (+425) and UConn (+650). Those odds really show that whoever wins the Michigan vs Arizona matchup will be a significant favorite in the National Championship.
The Final Four will see a lot of betting action this weekend. On this page we explain the options Americans have for betting on the Final Four, look at the odds for the two games, and finish with a step by step guide to getting started.
Where Can Americans Bet On The Final Four?
Your options depend on where you live. Here are the main ways to bet on the Final Four in the United States.
Licensed Sportsbooks
Sports betting is legal in more than 35 states plus Washington, D.C., where licensed sportsbooks such as DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM offer odds on the Final Four. You must be 21 or older in most states and physically located in a state where the sportsbook is licensed.
Prediction Markets
Prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket let you buy and sell contracts on the outcome of the Final Four. Instead of betting against a sportsbook, you trade with other users, and the price of a contract reflects the market’s view of how likely an outcome is. These platforms operate under federal oversight from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) rather than state gambling law, which is why they are available in most states, including states without legal sports betting.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Daily fantasy sports (DFS) apps such as PrizePicks and Underdog offer player stat contests in most states. Rather than betting on who wins, you pick whether players will go over or under a statistical projection.
Offshore Sportsbooks
Offshore sportsbooks are licensed outside the United States and accept bets from across the country. They are not licensed or regulated by any US state, which means Americans who use them have no state regulator to turn to if there is a dispute over a bet or a withdrawal.
2026 Final Four Betting Odds
Here are the odds for the two 2026 Final Four games (odds taken on March 30th):
Illinois #3 vs UConn #2
Illinois is a 2 point favorite in the first Final Four matchup with Connecticut. Illinois has cruised through the tournament, winning each game by double digits, including an impressive win over #2 Houston in the Sweet Sixteen.
Michigan #1 vs Arizona #1
The two remaining #1 seeds will meet in the second Final Four game on Saturday. Michigan is a 1.5 point favorite in the game. Like Illinois, both Michigan and Arizona have won all of their tournament games by double digit scores. Whoever wins this game will be the favorite in the National Championship on Monday night.
Bet On Final Four in the US – Step By Step
Whichever option you choose, the process of getting started is similar. Here’s a general guide.
Step 1. Choose Your Option
Decide which type of platform fits how you want to bet. Licensed sportsbooks offer the full range of bets where they are available, prediction markets let you trade contracts on the outcome, and DFS apps are built around player stats. Review the options above before signing up.
Step 2. Check The Age and Location Rules
Every platform has its own eligibility requirements. Most prediction markets and DFS apps require you to be at least 18, while licensed sportsbooks require you to be 21 in most states and physically located in the state where they are licensed.
Step 3. Create and Verify Your Account
Sign up with your legal name, date of birth and address. Regulated platforms are required to verify your identity, so you may be asked for the last four digits of your Social Security number or a photo of your ID.
Step 4. Fund Your Account
Deposit using one of the platform’s payment methods, which commonly include debit cards and bank transfers. Check how withdrawals work, and how long they take, before you deposit.
Step 5. Find The Market and Place Your Bet
Navigate to the college basketball section, select the market you’re interested in, and choose your position. Before confirming, check the price or odds and how much you stand to win, using the bet types explained above as a guide.
Step 6. Set Limits
Decide on a budget before tip-off and stick to it. Most regulated platforms let you set deposit and time limits in your account settings. If betting stops being fun, help is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.
Check out our basketball betting section for more information about the different bets you can make on college basketball games.
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