The NFL season is back, bringing American football to Gr8odds shops and Greatbet's online platform throughout the fixture list. For UK punters less familiar with the sport, the season opener is a good moment to get to grips with how NFL betting works before diving in.
This year's opening game falls on a Thursday (10th Sept - 1:20am), as the NFL has shifted its regular opening fixture to make way for an international game in Australia. The New England Patriots vs The Seattle Seahawks is bound to be a great opening game for the season ahead.
Download our NFL Printable Schedule for 2026 here
Getting to Grips with NFL Betting
If you're used to football betting, NFL markets will feel both familiar and slightly different.
Moneyline betting is the simplest starting point: you're picking which team wins the match outright. Unlike football, most NFL markets don't offer a draw as a standard option, so overtime rules come into play if scores are level at full time.
The spread is a handicap market. One team is given a points advantage, the other a points disadvantage, and bets are settled based on that adjusted margin rather than the final result alone.
Totals betting, sometimes called over/under, focuses on the combined score of both teams rather than who wins. This is closer to a goals-based market in football, but for total points scored.
A Season Worth Following
The NFL season runs for months, offering plenty of opportunities to bet as team form and storylines develop. Whether you're a longtime follower of American football or completely new to it, the start of the season is the perfect time to explore what's on offer, both in Gr8odds shops and through Greatbet online.
As ever, please gamble responsibly. 18+ applies.