The Ultimate Summer 2026 Sports Betting Calendar

Who said July and August are two of the most boring months on the sports betting calendar? OK, most summers don’t include a global soccer showcase like the World Cup with 48 teams. For sports bettors, the next two months are going to include The Open Championship, World Cup knockout stage, MLB pennant races, US Open tennis tournament, and more.

Each of these summer events feature a multitude of betting markets, including game lines, player props, futures, and more.

Wondering what the biggest events bettors should circle on their summer calendars? 

We set the summer betting menu leading up to the NFL betting season.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final

Good luck trying to find a sporting event that generates more worldwide betting attention than the World Cup Final. In the US alone, World Cup betting totals could exceed the Super Bowl and March Madness. According to ESPN, industry analysts estimated prior to the tournament getting underway that the number would come in around $3B. 

Now there’s that exciting wrinkle of the Americans, who are still considered underdogs, potentially making a deep run in the knockout rounds. Passionate US soccer fans just might be intrigued to back the home team, especially with +3300 odds. Killian Mbappe and France remain the favorites with +400 odds. 

Final Stages of the World Cup

So what are bettors supposed to do until July 19 rolls around? 

One of the great things about the 2026 World Cup is that a record 48 teams made the field. By the time this event wraps up in mid-July, 104 matches over 39 days will be played. For many bettors, the most compelling wagering opportunities arrive in the weeks leading up to the championship game. It starts with the Round of 32 and continues until there is one team left celebrating. 

Besides a long list of game markets, sportsbooks have prop betting menus that are comparable to the Super Bowl (minus the color of the Gatorade bath and coin toss result), including:

• United States to make the final 
• Team to reach the semifinal 
• Name the finalists 
• Winner-double chance

MLB's Stretch Run Begins

We hate bringing up sensitive subjects, but that New York Mets futures ticket to win the NL East is looking like it has zero chance of cashing once the MLB stretch run begins in August. When late summer rolls around, baseball will once again transform from daily MLB betting into a futures-driven market. 

Things will really start heating up after 6 p.m. ET on August 3. This is when we will find out which teams are buyers and sellers, and these moves will nicely set up what many would consider a smorgasbord of betting possibilities, including:

• To Make the Playoffs odds
• National League winner
• MVP races

The Open Championship

Just like with The Masters and recent US Open, the 154th edition of The Open Championship is expected to attract significant betting interest due to the deep field and unpredictable outcomes. Looking at the outright winner market, Scottie Scheffler won the event at Royal Portrush. He is the early favorite to repeat with +550 odds at FanDuel. Rory McIlroy, who hasn’t won the event since 2014, is +700. These are just the top two names on a very long list. 

Plus, majors are known for having much more expansive betting menus compared to other PGA Tour events.

This is the 11th time Royal Birkdale is hosting, and first since 2017. Jordan Spieth, who won it that year, is +3500 to win this time around.

US Open Tennis

When it comes to the tennis circuit, many gamblers aren’t going to bother scrolling through the betting menus. However, the US Open tennis tournament falls into a different bucket, being that it’s the fourth and final grand slam event of the year. The New York City skyline provides a nice backdrop for the two-week event that will take place in late August and early September. Unlike the upcoming Wimbledon tournament, bettors don’t have to deal with the five-hour time difference. 

Some sportsbooks have already posted futures markets. Once the draw is set, there will be no shortage of men’s and women’s markets, presenting golden opportunities to possibly back an underdog. 

UFC 329

Combat sports, especially during the NFL offseason, are fully capable of dominating the entire betting weekend. It’s going to be tough matching the buzz surrounding UFC Freedom 250, which took place at the White House. Looking ahead, one event that is likely to stand out is the long-awaited rematch between welterweights Conor McGregor and Max Holloway. The fight, taking place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, headlines the UFC 329 card. 

The last time these two fighters met, McGregor was the winner. But is he rusty, being that he’s returning following a five-year hiatus? Sportsbooks have him as a +200 underdog.  

NFL Season Prep and Futures Season

Chill out, NFL bettors, your turn is coming soon. Unlike previous seasons, this year has a rare Wednesday night start (September 9 to be exact) with a Super Bowl rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots. Summer is considered prep season, and presents a golden opportunity to check out Super Bowl odds, division futures, win totals, and to prep for fantasy football drafts. 

With next year’s Big Game taking place at SoFi Stadium, the Los Angeles Rams are one of those intriguing Super Bowl winner bets. They’re the current favorite with +550 odds, followed by the Buffalo Bills (+1000), Baltimore Ravens (+1000), and Seattle Seahawks (+1100).  

Who said summer is the boring betting season?

Sports bettors who decided to take a summer snooze in 2026 are going to miss out. The World Cup might take place every four years, but it’s a rare occasion that the event takes place in North America.  

Then you have the summer sports betting staples of The Open Championship, MLB pennant chases, and the two-week-long US Open tennis tournament. 

No matter which markets you prefer, the ultimate summer betting calendar is officially set. The words dull and boring simply don’t apply this year.