The Most Bet-On College Sports and What It Means for Student-Athletes

Last Updated on July 22, 2025

College sports have long been a major part of American culture, uniting communities and fueling school pride across the country. But in the past few years, college athletics has also become a significant part of the sports betting landscape. As more U.S. states legalize and regulate sports betting, fans are increasingly turning their attention—and their wagers—to college games.

But which college sports attract the most betting interest? And more importantly, how does this growing market impact student-athletes? Let’s explore the most heavily bet-on college sports and the potential benefits this trend offers players today.

The Most Popular College Sports for Betting

You can head over to pretty much any US sportsbook and find college sports listed as one of the betting markets. Not all are the same though, some have better coverage than others, whether it’s down to the different types of sports on offer, the selections within the sports you can make or maybe there are external features such as some are fast payout sportsbooks which make them more desirable to bettors. Whatever it may be, it’s down to you to do the due diligence needed to ensure that when you are betting on college sports, you choose the one with the most offering. 

Here are the best college sports for betting:

College Football

College football is by far the most popular college sport for betting. Saturdays in the fall are stacked with games, from Power Five conference clashes to smaller matchups that die-hard fans love to follow. With over 130 FBS teams and a nationwide following, college football offers more betting opportunities than almost any other sport.

Popular bet types include:

• Point spreads
• Moneylines
• Totals (over/unders)
• Parlays
• Player props (in select markets)

Events like conference championships, bowl games, and especially the College Football Playoff draw massive betting handles, rivaling even NFL playoff games.

College Basketball

College basketball is the second most bet-on college sport, and it reaches its peak every March during the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Tournaments—better known as March Madness. This three-week event is a betting frenzy, with fans placing wagers on everything from individual game outcomes to bracket predictions and championship futures.

Unlike football, college basketball runs several days a week, which provides consistent betting action. From November through April, it holds a major spot in sportsbooks nationwide.

Women’s College Sports (Rising Quickly)

While men’s football and basketball dominate in terms of betting volume, women’s college sports—especially women’s basketball—are rapidly gaining traction. The NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament has seen a sharp rise in viewership and betting interest, largely due to high-profile players and competitive matchups.

With increased television coverage and growing fan engagement, expect women’s sports to continue climbing in betting popularity in the years ahead.

Why Are People Betting More on College Sports?

• Several factors contribute to the growth of betting on college sports:
• Wider legalization of sports betting across states
• Availability of mobile sportsbooks and live in-game betting
• Deep fan loyalty to college teams, often tied to alma maters
• TV and streaming coverage making more games accessible than ever

Unlike professional sports, college games often carry more emotional investment from fans, which translates into more enthusiastic betting behaviors.

What’s in It for the Athletes?

Historically, student-athletes saw little to no financial benefit from the massive industries surrounding their performances—including sports betting. However, recent changes in the landscape have started to shift the balance.

Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Opportunities

Thanks to the NCAA’s 2021 policy change, college athletes can now profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). This has opened doors for players to sign endorsement deals, appear in advertisements, or promote brands on social media.

The increased visibility that comes from sports betting—such as player prop bets or spotlight game coverage—can raise an athlete’s profile, making them more marketable to sponsors and businesses.

Greater Media Exposure

With sportsbooks and media outlets offering more coverage of college games for betting purposes, players are receiving more national attention. Standout performances that impact betting lines or lead to dramatic upsets are widely shared and analyzed.

This media exposure not only benefits athletes during their college careers but can also help with:

• Professional recruitment
• Draft stock
• Post-college opportunities in coaching, commentary, or branding

Financial Literacy and Partnerships

As more student-athletes engage with business partners through NIL deals, many colleges are stepping up to provide resources around financial literacy, contract negotiation, and brand management. This creates real-world learning experiences that can benefit athletes long after graduation.