So you want to test your handicapping skills against the big boys? NFL betting contests offer big returns, with Circa, Westgate, and DraftKings hosting some of the best and most popular ATS NFL betting contests globally.
Comparing 2021 NFL betting contests
| Contest | Entry fee | Rake | Top prize | Prize Pool | In-person registation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circa Sports Million III | $1,000 | No | $1 million | $4 million guaranteed | Las Vegas |
| Westgate Las Vegas Super Contest | $1,000 | No | TBD | $1,132,500 guaranteed for in-season, remainder goes toward top prize | Las Vegas |
| DraftKings Pro Football Millionaire | $1,500 | 6% | $1 million | $4 million guaranteed | No |
2021 Circa Sports Million III
- Entry fee: $1,000
- Prize pool: $4 million in prizes
- Grand prize: $1 million for first place
- Entries: 3
- Who gets paid: Top 50 entries get paid
- Rake: None
- Who can play: Anyone (must register in person in Las Vegas)
- Deadline to enter: Sept. 11, 2021, at 2 p.m.
Circa Sports Million III is the big daddy of the NFL betting contests after surpassing the Westgate SuperContest last year. It costs participants $1,000 to enter (max three entries) with a grand prize of $1 million with $4 million in guaranteed prize money. All you need to do is pick five games against the spread each week and beat some of the best NFL handicappers on the planet. Last year’s $1 million winner went 56-27-2-0 ATS. The contest is so tight that two teams tied for second place with a 56-28-1-0 ATS record and took home $200,000 each. Last year had 3,148 entrants.
This NFL betting contest is open to anyone 21 years or older, but players must sign up in person in Vegas. Players can then make their weekly ATS picks at Circa sportsbook counters or on the mobile app while betting proxies are allowed, which is the play if you live out-of-state or out-of-country.
Unlike the Circa Survivor Pool Contest which pays out the top entry, the Circa Sports Millions III pays out the top 50 entries. Last year, teams that finished 50-34-1-0 ATS found themselves outside the top-50 and failed to get paid. On top of the big prizes, Circa also offers $250,000 of in-quarter prizes which are awarded every 4-5 weeks, and even a last-place "booby prize" of $100,000 for the contestant who finishes in last place for the season.
We weren’t joking when we said this NFL betting contest attracts some of the best NFL betting minds around. Registration closes on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 2 p.m. PT.
Our official 2021 commercial for our #CircaSportsMillion & #CircaSurvivor football contests, offering $10 MILLION in guaranteed prizes.
— Circa Sports (@CircaSports) August 12, 2021
Register by Sep. 11 to get in on the action! ????
For full contest details, visit https://t.co/1jLU7VFGEt pic.twitter.com/juoxpwGZL9
2021 Westgate Las Vegas SuperContest
- Entry fee: $1,000
- Three-week leaderboards payout: $105,000 to top-three picks.
- Six-week leaderboards payout: $167,500 to top-five picks.
- Top prize pay-out: TBD
- Entries per person: 3
- Who gets paid: Top 30 entrants
- Rake: None
- Who can play: Anyone (must register in person in Las Vegas)
- Deadline to enter: September 11, 2021, at 3 p.m. PT
The Westgate Las Vegas SuperContest is the one that started it all. It began in 1989 — like the Hilton SuperContest — and has been a staple for NFL handicappers to gauge their skills against the best. It costs $1,000 to enter (max of three entries), and you make five weekly ATS picks.
It’s a little more complicated in terms of payouts as there are nine in-season contests and the overall title. There are three six-week contests as well as six three-week contests. $100,000, $50,000, $10,000, $5,000 and $2,500 will be paid to the top-five in the six-week contests while $75,000, $25,000 and $5,000 will be paid to the top-three in the three-week contests. Last year’s overall winner took home over $430,000 with an ATS mark of 54-26-5 (67.5%).
To register for the Westgate SuperContest, entrants must sign up in person at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook, and if players plan on using a proxy to submit their weekly picks, the proxy has to be present with them at the time of registration. Weekly picks can be made at the Westgate SuperBook or through a proxy service for out-of-state and out-of-country participants.
Enter the new and improved #SuperContest at @SuperBookNV before the Sept. 11 deadline!
— SuperBook Sports (@SuperBookSports) August 13, 2021
? 9 in-season contests ($1.1 million guaranteed)
? 100% payout (no rake)
? $1,000 buy-in
????: https://t.co/QH2pYvJAIO pic.twitter.com/TRpt5maQT7
2021 Westgate Las Vegas SuperContest Gold
- Entry fee: $5,000
- Prize: TBD, winner takes all
- Entries per person: 1
- Rake: None
- Deadline to enter: September 11, 2021 at 3 p.m. PT
If you’re looking for a higher-stakes NFL betting contest, Westgate offers a $5,000 winner-take-all contest dubbed the Westgate Las Vegas SuperContest Gold. Only one entry is allowed per person. The 2020 winner took home $360,000, and the registration process is the same as the regular Westgate SuperContest.
2021 Westgate Las Vegas SuperContest Reboot
- Entry fee: $500
- Prize: TBD; top three entrants get paid out.
- Entries per person: 3
- Rake: None
- Deadline to enter: November 13, 2021, at 3 p.m. PT
Get off to a rough start to begin the season with your picks? That’s OK. The 2021 Westgate Las Vegas SuperContest Reboot is the only second-half season contest in Vegas. Registration begins July 1 for Weeks 10-18 of the NFL season and ends on November 13. It costs $500 to enter and pays the top-10 finishers.
2021 DraftKings Pro Football Millionaire Pick'em
- Entry fee: $1,500
- Prize pool: $4 million in prizes
- Grand prize: $1 million for first place
- Entries allowed: 3
- Who gets paid: Top 135 entries get paid
- Rake: 6% ($90 per entry)
- Who can play: Anyone in a region where DraftKings is licensed
- Deadline to enter: Sept. 12, 2021 at 1 p.m. ET
For those of you not able to register in person in Vegas, DraftKings has you covered with the 2021 DraftKings Pro Football Millionaire Pick ’em, which is dubbed as the world’s largest online pick ’em tournament. It costs $1,500 to enter (max of three entries) and has a grand prize of $1 million. 135 of the entrants will get paid from the guaranteed $4 million prize pool. Unlike the other contests, DK takes a six percent rake. Online registration is due by Sept 12, at 1 p.m.
Each week (not including Week 18), teams will pick five games against the spread and receive one point for each correct pick. There will be no half-point spreads ensuring no ties. Each entry will also get to choose one week as a bye, making it a 16-week contest. Teams finishing in the top-nine are guaranteed at least a six-digit payout.
To register for this NFL survivor pool contest, participants will have to register online in states where DraftKings is regulated. You don’t have to reside in these regulated states, but picks must be made from regulated states. Participants must have a valid U.S. Social Security Number and be physically located in Colorado, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia. Unlike the Circa or Westgate contests, no proxies are allowed.
While players compete for a spot on an NFL roster, you can reserve your spot in the 2021 Pro Football Pick 'Em Millionaire.
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) August 14, 2021
Don't miss out: https://t.co/zb4QqxDPUY pic.twitter.com/GLOJp09L8e
How to enter 2021 NFL betting contests
For the contests that aren’t online, you’ll have to sign up in person at the respected sportsbook, and if you plan on using a proxy, you’ll have to have the proxy there with you when you register. There is no way around this, unfortunately, for those who live outside of Las Vegas.
Once you’re registered, you will submit your weekly picks in person, through a proxy, or via a mobile sports app. Failing to get your picks in on time is a death sentence in these contests.
Online contests require you to register and submit your picks online, and the same registration processes can be applied to the various NFL survivor contests run by many of the same books.
What is a proxy?
A proxy — short for proximity — is a person who makes your bets/picks for you because you are out-of-state or out-of-country. You pay the proxy a fee, and they will, in turn, submit your weekly picks as Nevada residents. Proxies have been around since the inaugural Westgate SuperContest in 1989. A proxy service can cost about $250-$300 to submit your weekly picks.
Free NFL betting contests
You don’t need a huge bankroll to enjoy NFL betting contests as a handful of betting sites and online books host free entry contests.
King of Covers - NFL
Try our free King of Covers NFL World Sports Betting Championship, with more than $8,500 in cash and prizes. Make against the spread or Over/Under picks while wagering between 100 to 500 units on each game. Move up the leaderboard to win cash and prizes.
Fox Super Six
The Fox Super Six is a free contest that asks players to predict six outcomes during certain games. This contest spans multiple sports and has weekly winners.
NFL betting contests FAQs
Anyone 21 years or older can enter an NFL betting contest, but you must do so in-person for specific contests and in areas that have regulated markets.
There are many free NFL betting contests online available to anyone, but only residents in regulated states can register for the DraftKings Pro Football Millionaire Pick ’em.
Canadians can enter the Circa Sports Million III and the Westgate SuperContest, but they will need to register in person, be 21 years of age and use a proxy to submit weekly picks.
