Betting on the UEFA Champion League with Bitcoin & Crypto: Basic Rules and Tips
Even if you are not that much into soccer, you’ve probably heard about the UEFA Champions League, as its matches are the most anticipated and loved by millions of fans. It’s not surprising: in the Champions League, the best European teams with super-star players meet on a field to win the title of the ultimate champion. Who doesn’t want to watch this? And to make the experience even more engaging and intense, you can bet on the Champions League and get a chance to win good money.
But first, you need to learn all the nuances of betting on the Champions League, specifically cryptocurrency betting, actually to win something.
The Champions League evolution and historical milestones
The UEFA Champions League is basically the crown jewel of European football, but it didn't start off as the massive event we know today. Back in 1955, it was called the European Cup, and only 16 teams competed in a simple knockout format. Real Madrid pretty much owned the early years, winning the first five titles and setting a high standard right from the start.
Fast forward to 1992, and things got a major upgrade. The tournament was rebranded as the UEFA Champions League, and the format was changed to include a group stage. This made the competition bigger, allowing more teams to join and giving smaller clubs a shot at going head-to-head with the giants.
Over the years, we've seen some unforgettable moments, like Manchester United's last-minute win in 1999, Liverpool's insane comeback in 2005, and Real Madrid’s dominance in the 2010s. These milestones have only made the Champions League even more legendary and turned into what it is today. This global phenomenon attracts the best teams and players from across Europe. We're talking about clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City and legendary players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kevin De Bruyne.
The competition is not just about prestige; it’s also a massive investment. For example, the prize money for the 2023-2024 season is a staggering $2,18 billion, with the winning team alone taking home around €80 million. The investment doesn't stop there. Top brands like Heineken, Pepsi, and Mastercard are among the tournament’s major sponsors, pouring millions into advertising and promotions.
The global reach is insane — over 400 million people watched the 2022 final. So, the Champions League isn’t just about soccer; it's a global spectacle that attracts millions of fans, making it one of the most significant sports events in the world.
But how exactly does it work?
How the Champions League works
Teams qualify for the UEFA Champions League based on their performance in their domestic leagues. In the top European leagues, such as the English Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and the Bundesliga, the top four teams at the end of the season secure a spot in the Champions League.
Smaller European leagues also get a chance to compete, though their top teams usually enter through qualifying rounds. For example, the champions of countries like Scotland, Greece, and Norway have to battle it out in several knockout rounds before they can join the group stage.
The qualified teams start to compete in the UEFA Champions League with a group stage, where 32 teams are split into eight groups of four. Each team plays the others in its group twice — once at home and once away. The top two from each group move on to the knockout stage, while the third-placed teams drop into the UEFA Europa League.
Once the knockout stage begins, the pressure really ramps up. Starting with the Round of 16, teams play two games — home and away. The team with the most goals across both games moves on. If it’s a tie, the extra time and penalties solve it. The final is a one-off match at a neutral venue, and the winner gets to call themselves the champions of Europe.
Before the grand finale, you have many chances to bet and win. Now, let’s learn how to read the odds first.
Exploring Champions League Betting Odds
When it comes to betting on the UEFA Champions League, you'll come across three main types of odds: fractional, decimal, and American.
Fractional odds
Fractional odds are popular in the UK and are typically written like this: 5/1 or 2/5. The number on the left shows how much you’ll win for every amount bet on the right.
For example, if you see 5/1 odds on Manchester United winning a match, you’ll win $5 for every $1 you bet and get your original $1 back. So, if you bet $10, you’d win $50 in profit, plus your $10 stake, totaling $60.
Decimal odds
Decimal odds are more common in Europe and Australia and are much easier to understand. They show your total payout, including your stake, for every unit bet.
The calculation is simple: multiply your bet by the decimal odds. So, a $10 bet at 3.00 odds returns $30 ($20 profit plus your $10 stake).
American odds
American odds, or moneyline odds, are most common in the United States. These odds can be positive or negative. Positive odds, like +300, show how much profit you’ll make on a $100 bet. So, if Real Madrid is +300 to win and you bet $100, you’ll win $300, plus get your $100 back.
Negative odds, like -150, show how much you need to bet to win $100. So, if you bet $150 on a team with -150 odds, you’d win $100 plus your $150 stake.
These odds may seem complicated at first, but you’ll catch up with them pretty fast. Or, if you aren’t interested in numbers, just use the online odds calculator and move on to types of bets.
Types of the Champions League bets
The Champions League has the same type of bets as any other soccer league, including:
Match result or 1st half time results (1X2)
This is the most straightforward bet — you're betting on whether the home team (1) will win, the match will end in a draw (X), or the away team (2) will win in the match or just the first half. For example, if Manchester City is playing against Inter Milan, you might bet on Manchester City (1) to win if they have a strong home record and are in great form.
Full-time or 1st half double chance
This bet lets you cover two of the three possible outcomes in either the match or the first half like a team to win or draw. For example, if AC Milan plays against PSG, you could bet on “AC Milan to win or draw.” As long as they avoid losing, your bet wins.
Draw no bet
This removes the option of a draw. If the match ends in a draw, your stake is refunded. For example, if Borussia Dortmund plays against a lower-ranked team like FC Zurich, you might bet on Borussia Dortmund “Draw No Bet.” This protects you if the game ends in a surprise draw, but you expect Dortmund to win.
Both teams to score (BTTS)
With this bet, you're predicting that both teams will score at least one goal during the match. For example, betting on BTTS in a Barcelona vs. Real Madrid match makes sense because both teams are known for their attacking power and have a history of high-scoring games.
Handicap betting
In handicap betting, one team is given a goal advantage or disadvantage to level the playing field. Handicap works the same for the full match and half-time. For example, if Manchester United is heavily favored against Shakhtar Donetsk, you might bet on Manchester United with a -1 handicap, meaning they need to win by more than one goal for the bet to succeed.
Correct score (total)
With this bet, you need to guess the exact final score of the match, which is more difficult but also more rewarding. Or you can bet on the total score of one team. For example, you might bet on a 2-1 win for Paris Saint-Germain against Juventus if you think PSG’s strong attack will overcome Juventus’ solid defense, but Juventus is still likely to score.
Full-time clean sheet
Bet on whether a team will not concede any goals during the match. For example, if Chelsea is playing against a team like FC Kobenhavn, known for their limited attacking threats, betting on Chelsea to keep a clean sheet could be a good bet due to their solid defense.
Full-time odd/even
Predict whether the total number of goals scored in the match will be odd or even.
For example, if Inter Milan plays a defensive team like RB Salzburg, and you expect a low-scoring game, betting on “Even” could be a good choice if you anticipate a final score of 2-0 or 1-1.
To qualify
This bet is used in knockout rounds where you're betting on which team will get to the next stage, regardless of the score in individual matches. For example, if Liverpool is playing a two-legged tie against Benfica, you might bet on Liverpool to qualify based on their stronger squad and experience in high-pressure games.
There are some other types of bets, like prop bets, future bets, or over/under goals, but not all sportsbooks offer them. You can occasionally mix these types of bets for different matches. But to get better results, it’s wise to build the whole strategy by choosing particular types of bets for matches where they suit the best. Look at the betting tips to understand how exactly this works.
Champion League betting tips
Here are some tips to help you build your betting strategy for the season.
Use the BTTS market wisely
Both Teams to Score (BTTS) bets can be great in games where both teams are strong offensively but struggle a little in defense. For example, betting on BTTS in a Liverpool vs. RB Leipzig match makes sense since both teams love attacking and often end up in high-scoring games.
Research team form and injuries
Before placing any bet, always check how teams perform and if they have any key injuries. For instance, if Real Madrid is missing stars like Mbappé, their chances of winning or scoring a lot might drop, so you may want to avoid betting on them to score over 2.5 goals.
Consider home advantage
Home teams often have the upper hand due to crowd support and familiarity with the pitch. For example, betting on Borussia Dortmund to win at home against a tough opponent like Atlético Madrid can be smart, as Dortmund tends to perform better in European matches at home.
Look at head-to-head records
Some teams just don't do well against certain opponents. For example, if Juventus is up against Real Madrid, check their past meetings. If Juventus usually struggles against Real, betting on Real Madrid to win could be a solid option.
Focus on group stage dynamics
During the group stage, teams that have already secured a spot in the next round might rotate their squad, leading to unexpected results. For example, if Manchester City has already locked in the top spot, they might field a weaker team in their final group match, making an upset or a draw more likely.
Take advantage of early odds
Bookmakers often set odds for Champions League games weeks in advance. If you know something like Bayern Munich getting a key player back before their match against Chelsea, betting early can lock in better odds before the market adjusts.
Watch for market overreactions
Sometimes, sportsbooks overreact to a single bad performance. For instance, if Barcelona gets thrashed in a La Liga game before a Champions League match, their odds might get beer for you. You might get a good deal on better odds if you think they'll bounce back.
Bet on experience in knockout rounds
Teams with a strong Champions League history, like Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, often thrive under pressure in knockout games. Betting on them to qualify, even after losing the first leg, can pay off because they know how to handle these intense situations.
By following these tips, you’ll have a good chance to win. So, let’s learn how to place a bet in the best way possible — with cryptocurrency.
How to bet on the UEFA Champions League with cryptocurrency
The UEFA Champions League betting with Bitcoin and crypto is simple, especially on platforms like Sportbet.one. Here’s how you can start:
- Visit Sportbet.one and create an account using your email, social media profile, or an existing crypto wallet. Sportbet.one doesn’t require the KYC and other lengthy verification steps, so registration takes only a few minutes.
- Head over to the deposit section of the site. If you have crypto, just transfer it from your wallet to your account. Or you can buy some using the platform's integrated exchange.
- Once money gets to the deposit, browse the sports betting options and find the Champions League match you want to bet on.
- Select the type of bet you want to place, input your wager amount, and confirm your bet.
That's it! Betting on the Champions League with crypto is fast and secure on platforms like sportbet.one. You interact directly with your crypto wallet, meaning there’s no waiting on bank approvals, and your transactions are secured by blockchain technology. Withdrawing your money is as easy, with no worries and waiting for days to get your winnings.
Bet on the UEFA Champions League — Join the biggest soccer fun
As the Champions League is one of the biggest events in the soccer world, you won’t be sorry to spend your time watching even a random match. After all, only the best European teams get a chance to play in the Champions League, so every game is about speed, strength, accuracy, and unpredictable turns.
That’s why betting on the Champions League is also always fun: while you can reach a pretty high accuracy in your predictions, all teams have skillful players who can turn over a game outcome. Such unpredictability gives bettors high stakes, good odds, and big winnings. If you want to experience all this fun, place your crypto bet on sportbet.one.
FAQ
Can you bet on the Champions League?
Yes, you can bet on the Champions League through various sportsbooks, including traditional ones and crypto-based platforms. Crypto sportsbooks make things even easier with fast transactions and extra privacy.
Is it safe to place big bets on the Champions League?
Yes, it's safe to place big bets as long as you're using a trusted, secure platform with proper licensing. Just make sure that losing won't hurt your finances, and don't bet big if you're feeling pressured by gambling.
Who’s favorite to win the Champions League?
Favorites change every season, but teams like Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich are usually at the top. Even though they’re the favorites, it’s smart to do some research to see who actually has the best shot before betting.