This guide explains the different types of NFL futures, why they are treated as season-spanning markets, and what to check before taking a position. It is grounded in regulator catalogs and sportsbook rules so readers can match what they see in a book to the authoritative definitions. You will learn the core futures categories, how operators typically settle these markets, and a practical checklist for comparing offers and managing season-long exposure. The goal is to help both beginners and experienced bettors make informed, disciplined choices without assuming guaranteed outcomes.

State wagering catalogs list consistent NFL futures categories across regulated U.S. jurisdictions.

Sportsbook house rules determine when futures are settled and how ties, cancellations or minimum-game thresholds are handled.

Evaluate liquidity, rule differences and payout timing before taking season-long positions.

Introduction: why NFL futures matter and what this guide covers

What the article will explain

NFL futures are season-spanning wagers on outcomes that are decided after the regular season or at season end, rather than single-game bets. State wagering catalogs and industry reporting treat these markets as a distinct class, covering outrights, team win totals, make-or-miss playoff markets and player awards, which is why understanding the taxonomy matters before committing funds or virtual stakes New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. For a state-by-state overview of where sports betting stands, see this CBSSports summary U.S. sports betting: Where all 50 states stand.

How to use this guide when comparing books and markets, nfl futures bovada

This guide maps regulator-approved market types to the labels you will see in books, explains typical settlement rules and common operator variations, and gives a practical checklist for comparing offers and managing season-long exposure. Learn more on the Funded Plays blog Funded Plays blog.

Definition and context: how regulators and operators classify NFL futures

Regulatory catalogs: what states list as approved futures

Regulators maintain public catalogs that list approved wagers and the common futures categories operators may offer; those catalogs are the authoritative reference for what markets are permitted in a jurisdiction and often indicate grading scope for season-long markets Ohio Casino Control Commission. See the New York Gaming Commission sports wagering page for another regulator example Sports Wagering - Gaming Commission - NY.Gov.

What are the main categories of NFL futures and how are they settled?

The main categories are outrights, team win totals, make/miss playoff markets and player awards. They are graded according to official season outcomes and operator house rules, which define settlement timing, dead-heat handling and eligibility requirements.

How sportsbooks present and name futures markets

Sportsbooks arrange these approved markets in menus using operator-specific naming and presentation, but the underlying market types align with the regulator taxonomy: outrights, team season totals, playoff qualification markets and player award or stat leader markets. When a book lists a market as a "regular season" total or a "season-long" award, the grading definitions are typically rooted in the state catalog language and the book's house rules Colorado Division of Gaming.

Main types of NFL futures markets you will find

Outright winners: Super Bowl, conference, division

Outright markets pay on season-ending titles such as Super Bowl winner, conference champion and division winner; these are not bets on single games but on who finishes with the final, official designation at the relevant season milestone.

State catalogs explicitly list outrights among approved futures markets, so when you see a Super Bowl or conference winner market in a book it maps back to the same broad category recognized by regulators New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.

Season-long team markets: win totals and make/miss playoffs

Team season totals are wagers on a club's regular-season win count relative to a posted line; make/miss playoff markets are bets on whether a team reaches a postseason berth. Both are graded using regular-season outcomes and exclude postseason games unless the operator explicitly states otherwise.

Regulator documents clarify that markets labeled "regular season" are settled on regular-season results, which helps avoid surprises about which games are counted for a team total or a playoff qualifier market Ohio Casino Control Commission.

Player awards and statistical leaders

Player awards and stat leader markets include Most Valuable Player (MVP), Offensive or Defensive Player of the Year, and season statistical leaderboards such as passing yards, rushing yards, receiving yards and sacks. These markets are usually graded at season end and sometimes carry minimum appearance or game thresholds in house rules.

State catalogs list player award and stat leader wagers as standard approved markets, but individual operator rules can add conditions for eligibility and settlement that bettors should check before placing a ticket Colorado Division of Gaming.

Specialty season-long props and series

Books may also offer specialty season-long props that are variations on the main categories, such as multi-season streaks, milestones or combined markets. These are less consistent across operators and may carry extra grading conditions, so treat them as bespoke offerings that require reading the book rules.

Where specialty props appear they still fall within the broader futures taxonomy regulators describe, but their rules and settlement points are frequently operator-defined and should be confirmed in the relevant help or rules pages New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.

Sportsbook house rules and how futures settle

When a futures bet is considered settled

Operators commonly state that futures settle when results are official, which means settlements await the appropriate league confirmation or the official completion of the season milestone referenced in the market; that timing is defined in a book's general rules and affects when winning tickets pay out DraftKings general betting rules.

House rules also specify the exact moment an outcome is considered final for grading purposes, for example after league review or an official announcement, and this can matter for leagues that change outcomes via discipline or corrected statistics.

Confirm settlement rules before placing a futures ticket

Before placing a season-long wager, read the book's settlement and grading section to confirm when results are official and how contested outcomes are handled.

Review challenge and rules

How ties, dead-heats and canceled seasons are handled

Books include language that explains dead-heat adjustments, ties and how they calculate payouts if more than one selection shares a title; they also have contingency language for suspended or canceled seasons that dictates whether futures are voided, graded on the current standing, or settled by a specific rule in the book.

Because specific treatments vary, check the sportsbook's explicit dead-heat and cancellation rules before you commit to a futures ticket DraftKings general betting rules.

Which games count for regular-season markets

Many house rules and regulator catalogs clarify that regular-season markets exclude postseason games, and they may also define which scheduled games are included for a particular season in cases of rescheduling or neutral-site contests.

If a player market requires a minimum number of appearances or a team total requires a minimum number of games to count, that condition will appear in the operator's house rules and directly affects whether a bet can win or be voided Ohio Casino Control Commission.

Timing and pricing: preseason lines, in-season moves and live permissions

How and when futures odds are posted

Preseason futures are typically posted well before the first regular-season game and form the baseline market prices for outrights and many season-long props; those opening lines give bettors a long-term price that operators may adjust as the season unfolds.

Minimalist 2D vector illustration of stadium seats and a smartphone showing season tracking charts representing fans comparing notes nfl futures bovada

State catalogs and operator help pages show that futures are treated as season-spanning offerings, which is why sportsbooks list them early and manage the positions across their accounting for the entire season American Gaming Association, and the AGA also provides a state map with further context AGA state map.

In-season repricing and liquidity considerations

Operators update futures pricing in response to results, injuries and betting flow while outcomes remain undecided; liquidity varies by market and lower-volume props can show wider prices and limited ability to exit a position at the quoted price.

Because futures are held across months, market depth and the available counterparty risk for a selection affect how aggressively an operator moves lines, so evaluate liquidity when deciding whether to accept an early price or wait for midseason repricing Colorado Division of Gaming.

Live or in-play futures and state-specific permissions

Some books offer in-play or live futures that permit buying or selling exposure during the season while the market remains open; whether a marketplace can operate live futures depends on state permissions and the operator's risk policy.

Review the book's product descriptions and the relevant state catalog to confirm live trading options and any limits that apply to season-long markets Ohio Casino Control Commission.

How to choose which NFL futures to play: decision criteria

Value, liquidity and payout timing

Start by assessing value relative to probability and the timing of a payout; a long-shot outright may offer high upside but requires patience and an acceptance of season-long variance, while shorter-term or higher-liquidity markets let you hedge or trade exposure more readily.

Compare the house rules, market depth and the expected holding period to ensure a futures selection fits your bankroll plan and timing needs American Gaming Association.

Rule differences and settlement risk

Rule differences are a material source of settlement risk: minimum games for player awards, exclusions of postseason stats, dead-heat adjustments and other operator clauses change how a ticket is graded and can change a winning scenario into a void or partial payout.

Cross-check the operator's rules against the state catalog to see whether any special grading or exclusions apply for the market you plan to take Ohio Casino Control Commission.

Bankroll and timing strategies for season-long exposure

Treat futures as part of a season-long allocation and size stakes with the expectation of extended variance. Consider splitting exposure between preseason and in-season purchases to blend value capture and risk reduction.

Use an explicit stake plan that accounts for the expected recognition timing of winnings and the personal capital you are willing to commit to season-long positions American Gaming Association.

Compare markets, rules and liquidity across books

Market
Odds
Settlement rules
Minimum games
Liquidity

Use this checklist to rate each offering

Common mistakes and pitfalls to avoid with NFL futures

Chasing long shots and ignoring probability

Chasing long-shot futures without a clear staking plan is a frequent mistake because low-probability selections can erode bankrolls quickly without offering compensating portfolio diversification.

Instead, set explicit stake limits for long shots and reserve a portion of your season capital for adjustments as evidence accumulates on team performance.

Overlooking house-rule details

Failing to read settlement terms, minimum game thresholds for player markets or the exact definition of "regular season" can create surprising outcomes when a book grades a ticket differently than you expected.

Always verify the operator's settlement and grading rules before placing a futures wager and compare those clauses across books to avoid unexpected voids or adjusted payouts DraftKings general betting rules.

Misreading regular-season vs postseason scopes

Assuming a market includes postseason results when it explicitly references the regular season can produce settlement surprises, so confirm scope language in the book's market description and the state catalog definitions.

When in doubt, use the regulator catalog and the book's rules to confirm whether postseason games are excluded for the market you are using Ohio Casino Control Commission.

Practical examples and scenarios: choosing between Super Bowl, win totals and player awards

Scenario A: Betting a Super Bowl outright preseason vs midseason

A preseason Super Bowl purchase locks in a long-term price and can be attractive when you identify undervalued teams; a midseason purchase lets you use early results and injury news to refine probability but may be more expensive if a team is trending well.

Because outrights are graded at season end, check the book's settlement timing and any contingency language for vacated titles or league adjustments before accepting an early price Colorado Division of Gaming.

Scenario B: Trading team win totals during the season

Team win totals are commonly repriced as the season progresses, which creates trading and hedging opportunities; if you want to change exposure midseason, compare the liquidity and whether the operator offers in-season repricing or bet cancellations for large moves.

When assessing a trade or midseason purchase, confirm which games count toward the total and whether the book updates lines to reflect rescheduling or canceled games Ohio Casino Control Commission.

Scenario C: Backing a player award - rule checks and risk

Player awards are appealing because a standout season can rapidly change probability, but many books include minimum games or qualification language for awards that affect settlement; checking those clauses is essential before placing a bet.

Funded Plays Challenges

Review challenge and rules

Account for player movement, injury risk and minimum-appearance rules when sizing a position and decide whether to purchase early for value or wait for clearer evidence during the season Colorado Division of Gaming; see our evaluation guide how funded plays evaluations work.

Conclusion: how to use this taxonomy and next steps

Summary: the standard NFL futures categories are outrights, team win totals, make-or-miss playoff markets and player awards, and those categories are consistently listed in state wagering catalogs and operator menus. Visit Funded Plays for tools and guides Funded Plays.

Checklist before placing a futures ticket: consult the state catalog or the book's rules, confirm the settlement scope and timing, check minimum-game and dead-heat language, and evaluate liquidity and bankroll fit; doing these checks reduces the risk of settlement surprises Ohio Casino Control Commission.

What are NFL futures?

NFL futures are season-long wagers on outcomes such as Super Bowl winner, team win totals, playoff qualification and player awards that are decided over the course of the season or at season end.

Do regular-season totals include playoff games?

No. Regular-season markets are typically graded on regular-season results only; postseason games are excluded unless a book explicitly states otherwise.

Where should I check settlement rules for a futures bet?

Review the sportsbook's house rules and the relevant state wagering catalog to confirm grading, dead-heat treatment and any minimum-game or eligibility conditions before placing a bet.

Use the taxonomy and checklist here as a starting point for evaluating futures menus. Always confirm the specific house rules and the applicable state catalog before placing season-long wagers, and size positions to fit a disciplined bankroll plan.

Introduction: why NFL futures matter and what this guide covers

What the article will explain

How to use this guide when comparing books and markets, nfl futures bovada

Definition and context: how regulators and operators classify NFL futures

Regulatory catalogs: what states list as approved futures

How sportsbooks present and name futures markets

Main types of NFL futures markets you will find

Outright winners: Super Bowl, conference, division

Season-long team markets: win totals and make/miss playoffs

Player awards and statistical leaders

Specialty season-long props and series

Sportsbook house rules and how futures settle

When a futures bet is considered settled

Confirm settlement rules before placing a futures ticket

How ties, dead-heats and canceled seasons are handled

Which games count for regular-season markets

Timing and pricing: preseason lines, in-season moves and live permissions

How and when futures odds are posted

In-season repricing and liquidity considerations

Live or in-play futures and state-specific permissions

How to choose which NFL futures to play: decision criteria

Value, liquidity and payout timing

Rule differences and settlement risk

Bankroll and timing strategies for season-long exposure

Common mistakes and pitfalls to avoid with NFL futures

Chasing long shots and ignoring probability

Overlooking house-rule details

Misreading regular-season vs postseason scopes

Practical examples and scenarios: choosing between Super Bowl, win totals and player awards

Scenario A: Betting a Super Bowl outright preseason vs midseason

Scenario B: Trading team win totals during the season

Scenario C: Backing a player award - rule checks and risk

Conclusion: how to use this taxonomy and next steps

References