Soccer is by far the most popular sport in the world, and it has gained significant popularity as a betting sport in the United States over the past couple of decades. The growth of Major League Soccer, the rise of the US Men’s and Women’s National Teams, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted in North America have all contributed to a surge in American soccer betting interest. That said, it’s still the big international competitions like the World Cup and Champions League, along with the top European leagues, that attract the most betting action from American bettors.

This page is your complete resource for betting on soccer online, whether you’re wagering on the Premier League, Champions League, MLS, World Cup, or any other league or competition. We cover where Americans can bet on soccer, every major bet type with examples, a step-by-step guide for beginners, and tips to help you find value. American bettors can also visit our USA sports betting page for state-specific information.

Where Can Americans Bet On Soccer?

Your options depend on where you live. Here are the main ways to bet on soccer 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 soccer. 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 soccer matches. 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.

Outside the US

In Canada, Ontario has a regulated market of licensed online sportsbooks, and the other provinces offer online betting through their provincial lottery sites. In the UK, use operators licensed by the Gambling Commission. Elsewhere, check the rules in your country before signing up with any betting site.

Soccer Betting Options

There are plenty of soccer betting options to choose from. One thing that makes soccer betting unique compared to most North American sports is that matches can end in a draw, which creates a third possible outcome on many bet types. Below we’ll walk through each popular bet type with examples.

1×2 / Moneyline (3-Way Betting)

The moneyline bet (also called the full time result or 1×2 bet) is the most common form of soccer wager. It involves betting on what the final outcome of the match will be. The “1×2” refers to the three possible outcomes – Team 1 wins (1), the match ends in a draw (x), or Team 2 wins (2). This is also referred to as 3-way betting because there are three possible results rather than the two you see in most North American sports.

Here’s an example:

  • Egypt +500
  • Uruguay -169
  • Draw +275

In this example Uruguay is favored to win the match and you would have to wager $169 to win $100 betting on Uruguay. The other two outcomes are less than 50% likely. You would win $500 betting $100 on Egypt if they pulled off the upset, or you would win $275 betting $100 on a draw if the match ended without a winner. The draw is an important factor in soccer betting that doesn’t exist in most other sports.

Spread (Goal Line)

A soccer spread bet (also called the goal line or Asian handicap) removes the option for a draw and assigns a goal handicap to one or both teams. The spread can vary from -0.5 to several goals depending on the matchup. Different odds are associated with each spread. If the game ends with the goal difference exactly equal to the spread amount the bet is a push and the wager is refunded. Spread betting is popular among bettors who want a two-way outcome rather than dealing with the three-way moneyline.

Total Goals (Over/Under)

This bet involves wagering on how many total goals will be scored in the match by both teams combined. The most common soccer total is 2.5 goals.

Here’s an example:

  • Over 2.5 Goals (-115)
  • Under 2.5 Goals (-105)

A bet on the over would win if 3 or more goals are scored in the match, while the under wins if 2 or fewer goals are scored. The half-goal eliminates the possibility of a push. Soccer totals are much lower than other major sports because of the low-scoring nature of the game – you’ll typically see totals between 2 and 3.5 goals.

Both Teams To Score (BTTS)

Both Teams To Score (BTTS) is a very popular soccer-specific bet type. You simply wager on whether or not both teams will score at least one goal in the match. It doesn’t matter who wins the game or what the final score is – the only thing that matters is whether both teams found the back of the net. For example, a match that ends 2-1 or 3-2 would be a “Yes” result, while a 1-0 or 3-0 scoreline would be a “No” result. BTTS bets are popular because they give you something to root for on both sides of the ball regardless of which team you favor.

Parlays

Soccer is uniquely suited to parlays because of the sheer volume of matches happening across different leagues and time zones on the same day. You could start your Saturday morning with an EPL pick, add a Bundesliga selection at noon, and finish with an MLS bet in the evening – all on one ticket. Combining 1×2 moneyline picks from different leagues is the most common approach, but you can also mix in totals or BTTS bets to boost the odds. Every selection must win for the parlay to cash, so be selective rather than loading up on every match on the schedule.

Prop Bets

Prop bets are wagers on specific events within a match that aren’t directly tied to the final result. Player props include bets on individual statistics like goals scored, assists, shots on target, and cards received. Game props include things like first goalscorer, time of first goal, number of corners, number of cards, halftime result, and correct score. Correct score betting is a particularly popular soccer prop because of the low-scoring nature of the game – predicting the exact final score is difficult but pays out very well when you get it right.

Futures

Futures bets allow you to wager on outcomes that span a full season or tournament. Common soccer futures include which team will win a league title (Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, MLS, etc.), which team will win a tournament (World Cup, Champions League, Europa League), top goalscorer in a league or tournament, and whether a team will be relegated. Futures odds are available year-round and adjust based on results throughout the season.

Live Betting (In-Play)

A red card changes everything in soccer. When a team goes down to 10 men, the live moneyline can swing dramatically within seconds, and suddenly there’s value on the other side that didn’t exist before kickoff. That’s the kind of moment live soccer bettors look for. You can wager on adjusted moneylines, totals, next goalscorer, and many other in-play markets throughout the 90+ minutes, with a natural halftime break in the middle to reassess. Soccer’s long match duration and relatively low scoring mean the odds shift more gradually than in basketball or hockey, which gives you time to make thoughtful in-play decisions rather than rushing.

Soccer Betting Odds

It’s important that you understand the odds when betting on soccer online. American odds are a common format, but you will also see decimal odds used frequently for soccer (especially for European leagues). Let’s look at an American odds example:

Manchester United -125
Everton FC +325
Draw +240

In this example you would have to risk $125 to win $100 betting on Manchester United. Betting $100 on Everton FC to win would pay $325, while $100 on the draw would pay $240. Remember that the draw is a real outcome in soccer – roughly 25-30% of matches across the top European leagues end in draws, so always consider that possibility when evaluating odds.

Decimal odds work slightly differently. For example, Over 2.5 Goals at 1.65 means a $100 bet would return $165 (your $100 stake plus $65 in winnings). Under 2.5 Goals at 2.20 means a $100 bet would return $220. Decimal odds are common at sportsbooks that serve a global audience.

How To Bet On Soccer Online – 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 soccer 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 kickoff 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.

Soccer Betting Tips

Soccer betting has a few wrinkles that don’t exist in most North American sports, especially the draw. Keep these strategies in mind.

  • Compare Odds – Almost every sportsbook online will offer odds for the higher profile soccer games, which gives you a lot of options for finding sharp lines. If you want to be a winning soccer bettor you need to find the best odds for every bet you make. This is one of the main reasons to have accounts at more than one sportsbook.
  • Understand Home vs Away Form – Home field advantage is significant in soccer, often more so than in other sports. Some teams are nearly unbeatable at home but struggle on the road. Always look at a team’s home and away records separately rather than just their overall form.
  • Be Patient – There are soccer matches in leagues across the globe happening every single day. Don’t feel like you have to bet on every game. Be patient and only bet on games where you have a genuine edge or strong opinion.
  • Consider The Draw – The draw is one of the most undervalued outcomes in soccer betting. Casual bettors tend to pick one team or the other, which can push the draw price higher and create value. In evenly matched games, the draw often represents good value.

Soccer Leagues and Tournaments

Soccer is played in every country in the world so it’s no surprise that there are a ton of leagues across the globe and plenty of big tournaments running every year. You can find dedicated pages for some of these leagues and tournaments right here on BetOnIt.org.

Recent Soccer Articles

Soccer Betting FAQ

Is it legal to bet on soccer online in the United States?

Sports betting laws vary by state in the United States. More than 35 states plus Washington, D.C. have legalized sports betting with licensed sportsbooks, prediction markets operate under federal oversight in most states, and offshore sportsbooks accept bets from across the country but are not licensed by any US state. Check out our USA sports betting guide for a detailed breakdown of the options in your state.

Where can I bet on soccer?

In states with legal sports betting, licensed sportsbooks such as DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM offer odds on MLS, the Premier League, the Champions League and other major competitions. Prediction markets and daily fantasy apps are options in many other states. See the options above for more detail.

What does 1×2 mean in soccer betting?

1×2 refers to the three possible outcomes in a soccer match. The “1” represents the home team winning, the “x” represents a draw, and the “2” represents the away team winning. It is also commonly called the 3-way moneyline or full time result bet. Unlike most North American sports, the draw is a real and common outcome in soccer, occurring in roughly 25-30% of matches.

What is Both Teams To Score (BTTS)?

Both Teams To Score is a popular soccer-specific bet type where you wager on whether or not both teams will score at least one goal in the match. It doesn’t matter who wins or what the final score is – the only question is whether both teams found the net. A 2-1 result would be a “Yes” while a 2-0 result would be a “No.”

Can I bet on soccer matches while they are in progress?

Yes, live betting allows you to place wagers on soccer matches while they are being played. The odds update in real time based on the score, time remaining, and flow of the game. Soccer is one of the best sports for live betting because matches last 90+ minutes with a halftime break, giving you plenty of time to assess the action before placing additional wagers.

What is a same game parlay in soccer?

You can combine multiple bets from one soccer match onto a single ticket. A popular combination is pairing the match result (1×2) with Both Teams To Score and a total goals line – for example, Manchester City to win, BTTS Yes, and Over 2.5 goals. You can also add player goalscorer props into the mix. Every leg has to hit for the parlay to pay out, but the combined odds make for much bigger potential returns than any single bet.

Why was the 2026 World Cup important for American soccer bettors?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup was hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the first time the US had hosted the tournament since 1994. The expanded 48-team format meant more matches, more betting opportunities, and massive American interest with the US Men’s National Team competing on home soil. Check out our World Cup betting in the USA post for more details.