The UEFA Champions League is the most popular club competition in the world and football fans regularly bet on it. We’ll look at which online sportsbooks offer the best experience when it comes to betting on the knock-out tournament. Keep reading to find out which Champions League betting sites and bookmakers offer the widest range of UCL markets, the best-enhanced odds and the most generous offers and promotions.
The UEFA Champions League is a hugely popular competition which features some of Europe’s most successful clubs. The competition officially gets underway in July with several lower-ranked teams competing in two-legged qualification ties. However, the majority of punters will begin following the UCL once the group stage begins in September. The group stage takes place from September to December with each section consisting of four teams. Each team will face one another home and away with the top two sides progressing to the knock-out round. The third-placed team will drop into the UEFA Europa League. The knock-out stage of the competition begins in February with each tie being played over two legs. The final takes place at a neutral venue in May/June (depending on the calendar) and is one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year. As well as getting their hands on the prestigious trophy, the winner of the UEFA Champions League will receive €20,000,000 in prize money. Although the competition has been dominated by Real Madrid since 2010, there have been a number of different winners in recent seasons including Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Chelsea
Boylesports Deposit €10 and Get €40 in Free Bets Boylesports is one of the most recognised and trusted betting brands in Ireland and they also happen to be one of the premium UEFA Champions League betting sites. Their in-play betting options are impressive, so if you’re trying to keep across a busy group stage or you’ve missed kick-off and fancy placing a bet at halftime, then Boylesport’s in-play page is ideal. They also offer hundreds of pre-match markets on the tournament and are regularly in the top two of three Irish bookmakers when it comes to offering standout odds on the Champions League outright market. With €40 of free bets to keep punters happy, there is something for everyone at Boylesports and if you fancy a flutter on the competition this season, then this established Irish bookmaker simply has to be your number one choice for betting on Champions League football. 10Bet 100% Deposit Bonus up to €100 10Bet live and breathe football so it’s no surprise that they are one of the best Champions League betting sites. They know the importance of the competition and always deliver when it comes to fantastic promotions and enhancements on the tournament’s biggest games. With their generous welcome bonus, 10Bet offer football fanatics the perfect opportunity to get involved in the competition at any stage. There are hundreds of pre-match markets for each game, even during qualifying, and there are always boosts and free bets available whenever two tournament heavyweights meet. If you’re a regular football punter, then 10Bet is the perfect destination, and if you specifically enjoy wagering on the UEFA Champions League, then this fantastic betting site is an essential visit. 22Bet 100% Deposit Bonus up to €122 22Bet is another Irish bookmaker that puts the emphasis on football betting. They have a very easy-to-navigate site and app making it straightforward for players to browse the hundreds of football betting markets which are added to the site on a daily basis. They regularly offer enhanced odds, boosts and match-day specials on the Champions League and they take this competition extremely seriously. They are particularly good when it comes to goal markets and they always offer additional markets when it comes to in-play betting on the competition. If you’re looking for a simple, easy-to-use and enjoyable Champions League betting site, then 22Bet is one of the best options on the market. Betvictor Bet €10 and Get €50 in Bonuses Betvictor is one of the most established names in Irish betting and they have been plying their trade for a number of decades. If you’re betting on the Champions League and you’re looking for standout odds, then Betvictor will regularly deliver. They are often the best price on key markets such as 90-minute match odds, Under/Over 2.5 Goals and BTTS and this makes it the ideal online bookmaker for punters who enjoy betting on singles and doubles. Their in-play offering is also one of the best and they have a number of live betting markets priced up throughout the competition. Bwin €20 Back Up Bet Bwin is an established online sportsbook who have decades of experience when it comes to betting on football. Their stylish black and yellow livery is instantly recognisable and they have quickly established themselves as a popular online bookmaker in Ireland. Their welcome bonus may not be the most generous, however, the €20 backup bet does give punters the chance to bag themselves a free bet, if their first Champions League wager is unsuccessful. Bwin also has numerous promotions and free-to-play prediction competitions for existing punters so there’s always a chance to test your knowledge of Champions League football against other like-minded players. Powbet 100% Deposit Bonus up to €100 Powbet is one of the newest online sportsbooks on the market and has multiple Champions League markets listed on its site. There is a generous welcome bonus to help you get started and with the addition of live streaming, football fans can follow the progress of their bets throughout the 90 minutes. Powbet have decided to focus on in-play betting, so if you enjoy getting involved in the UEFA Champions League action once they’ve got underway, then this may be the bookmaker for you! Their live betting page is well-stocked and they have up-to-the-second stats on all of the UCL matches throughout the tournament. 20Bet 100% Deposit Bonus up to €100 20Bet is one of the newest online sportsbooks in Ireland, however, despite only launching in 2020, they’ve already earned a reputation for being one of the best Champions League betting sites on the market. Although 20Bet don’t offer Irish punters the chance to bet on horse racing, greyhound racing or golf, they do have a fantastic range of football markets with most major competitions priced up. They also thrive when it comes to live betting and have a dedicated hub which offers pre-match form, results, live score updates and statistics. The addition of live streaming is also ideal for those who enjoy betting on the UEFA Champions League, particularly during the early stages. Bet365 Bet €10 and Get €50 in Bet Credits Bet365 needs no introduction. This well-known brand has been associated with football betting in Ireland for several years and they pride itself on being one of the most comprehensive and user-friendly sportsbooks on the market. When it comes to betting on the UEFA Champions League, Bet365 has it all covered. They have multiple markets available and their excellent Bet Builder feature allows you to create your own multi-market bet on every single group stage and knock-out fixture As well as their generous welcome bonus of €50 in bet credits, they also offer regular promotions to existing customers with a free in-play bet often coinciding with the bigger games in the tournament. 888Sport Bet €10 and Get €30 in Free Bets 888Sport is another online operator that require very little introduction. As one of the world’s leading betting brands, they have established themselves as one of the best sportsbooks for betting on the Champions League. They offer live streaming, live betting and regular offers and promotions relating to the competition. Whether you’re getting involved in the early qualifying rounds or you’re betting on the two-legged semi-final ties, there is always something to enjoy with 888Sport when it comes to betting on Champions League football. ShangriLa 100% Deposit Bonus + 2x €5 Free Bets ShrangriLa is the newest online bookmaker to arrive in Ireland and their generous welcome bonus immediately catches the eye. Their sportsbook is easy-to-use and it’s very simple to navigate through their various sporting markets. They have lots of different football markets including a well-stocked selection of Champions League markets. You can cash out your UCL bets with ShangriLa and their Bet Builder is also a great way to select your own markets for those big Champions League clashes on a Tuesday and Wednesday evening. Best Champions League Betting Apps Most online bookmakers have a dedicated mobile app which enables you to bet on the Champions League whilst on the move. Betting apps tend to vary in quality so we’ve picked out three of the best Irish sports betting apps which can be easily downloaded onto iOS or Android devices. 10Bet – 10Bet have recently updated their app and it has become one of the smartest and slickest mobile sites on the market. Their easy-to-use betting slip allows you to create Champions League accumulators in a matter of seconds. This is ideal for punters who are struggling for time and want to place pre-match bets quickly and with the minimum of fuss. Although this is the standout feature of the app, their generous welcome bonus and extensive catalogue of football betting markets add to the appeal of this superb betting app. Bet365 – Although not everyone was convinced by Bet365’s latest updates, their mobile site still remains one of the simplest and most effective betting apps on the market. Their Bet Builder is an extremely speedy way of keeping an interest across the biggest Champions League fixtures and this high-profile competition is often positioned at the top of the home page, making it incredibly straightforward to locate your chosen UCL bets. Bwin – Bwin are one of the most established Irish bookmakers on the market and their mobile app reflects the quality of their betting site. It’s incredibly simple to navigate between Champions League markets and with promotions and offers tailored towards existing players, there is always something to enjoy with this stylish and comprehensive online sportsbook.
The Champions League is a firm favourite with football fans and as a result, it is one of the most popular competitions when it comes to betting. Champions League Markets Outright Ahead of the tournament getting underway, most football betting sites in Ireland will have priced up the outright market with heavyweights and previous champions such as Real Madrid, Manchester City and Liverpool tending to dominate this market. Betting sites such as Bet365 and Betvictor will pay out at 1/3 of the odds if your chosen side makes it to the final but isn’t able to secure any silverware. Although this is unlikely to offer much of a return if you’re backing one of the favourites, it is a handy way of wagering if you fancy an outsider. Since 2010, underdogs such as Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur have all made it to the final and if you’d placed an each-way bet on any of those teams, you are likely to have made a decent profit. Top Goalscorer Most online bookmakers also offer you the chance to bet on the top goal-scorer market. Your chosen player must score the highest number of goals across the entire tournament, including group stage and knock-outs. Champions League betting sites such as Boylesports are often top price on these pre-tournament markets, so it’s always worth shopping around before placing a bet. Comparing online bookmakers could make the difference when it comes to securing a return on this market. There is always plenty of fluctuation in these markets so you may find that your chosen player is 45/1 with your one bookmaker and 66/1 with another. Alternative Ante-Post Bets With the Champions League proving incredibly popular with punters, bookmakers such as Bet365 and 888Sport tend to pull out all of the stops when it comes to creating alternative pre-season markets. These can vary greatly, however, odds on teams ‘to reach the final four’, ‘to be eliminated during the group stage’ and ‘to finish bottom of the group’ tend to be priced up by some Irish bookmakers. If you enjoy betting on these types of markets, it’s strongly advised to do your research and make sure that your chosen bookmaker is likely to offer odds on these potential outcomes. Champions League Odds Due to its unpredictability, the outright and ante-post markets tend to throw up some decent prices. However, you will not be paid out on the majority of these bets until the tournament has concluded. Bookmakers such as 10Bet and Betvictor tend to allow you to cash out these season-long bets at various stages throughout the campaign, so if alarm bells are beginning to ring, it may be best to collect some of your winnings mid-way through the group stage. On a match-by-match basis, the odds are likely to be far more prohibitive. However, most online bookmakers offer handicap markets and these are particularly handy when it comes to betting on seemingly one-sided match-ups. These odds tend to fluctuate ahead of kick-off and can be affected by team news and weather conditions. Champions League Betting Rules The majority of Champions League betting sites have a number of rules which must be adhered to. During the qualifying rounds and the knock-out stage, it is important to remember that the match may go into extra time and potentially penalties. However, the majority of Bet365 and 20Bet UCL markets will be priced up based on 90 minutes ONLY. If your chosen goal-scorer finally finds the back of the net in the first minute of extra time, you will not be paid out. Similarly, if you’ve placed a bet on Over 2.5 Goals, and the third match goal arrives in the 98th minute, this will not count towards the total. If you place any first goalscorer bet in any Champions League fixture, it’s important to note that bookmakers such as 888Sport will wait until the identity of the goalscorer has officially been confirmed by UEFA. If the final touch is attributed to an opposition defender, then this is likely to be officially credited as an own goal and your bet will not be paid out. However, own goals do not count, so your first goalscorer bets will remain in play and if your chosen player scores the second goal of the contest, then you will be paid out. It is important to check the Ts and Cs of the individual bookmaker, however, Bet365 state that if you’ve had a bet on a Champions League match and it gets postponed, it must be played within five days of the original KO time in order for your bet to be settled. If the game cannot be rearranged, your bet will be declared void. Luckily, UEFA tend to be fairly quick when it comes to rearranging fixtures due to the hectic domestic schedules of the clubs involved.
Boylesports: Trusted Irish bookmaker who offer a wide range of Champions League betting markets. 10Bet: Extensive range of football betting markets and a superb number of live betting opportunities. 22Bet: Generous welcome bonus which can be used on the Champions League. Betvictor: Terrific live in-play betting opportunities on the Champions League Bwin: Good range of ongoing promotions and offers. Aesthetically pleasing site and app. Powbet: Extremely generous welcome bonus and live streaming opportunities with this new Sportsbook. 20Bet: Major focus on football betting markets with an emphasis on major competitions such as UCL. Bet365: Established and easy-to-use sportsbook with thousands of UCL markets available each season. 888Sport: Competitive odds and a comprehensive range of Champions League markets. ShangriLa: Excellent range of features such as Bet Builder and Cash Out.
Before signing up for a Champions League betting site, there are a number of factors which must be considered. These important aspects also help us to rank our top Irish sportsbooks and can make a significant difference when it comes to selecting the best online betting sites. Features In order to stand out from the vast amount of online Irish bookmakers, sportsbooks must ensure that they have plenty of features to keep football bettors satisfied. These tend to include Cash Out, Live Streaming, Bet Boosts, Bet Builder, Accumulator Boosts and In-Play betting. Standout Odds Anyone who is placing a bet on the UEFA Champions League will want to ensure that they are getting the best possible odds. Although it is possible to compare the odds on individual markets and matches, it is always best to sign up for a bookmaker who tend to be fairly competitive when it comes to betting on this prestigious competition. Variety of Betting Markets When it comes to betting on the Champions League, it is always advised to choose an online sportsbook that offer a wide variety of betting options. Although some players tend to stick to traditional markets such as 1X2, Under/Over and BTTS, it’s preferable to have the option to bet on corners, cards, 5-minute markets, handicaps and goalscorer markets. These also tend to come in handy when it comes to constructing a Bet Builder.
Most Irish bookmakers have various offers and promotions throughout the course of the season, and many of these tend to coincide with major sporting events such as the Champions League Final. However, sportsbooks such as 10Bet and 888Sport also offer their players regular free bets and boosts on UCL matches throughout the year and we’ve taken a look at some of the most popular Champions League bonuses. Pre-Match/In-Play Free Bets – These have been a speciality of Bet365 for a number of years, however, other online bookmakers also offer similar incentives during both the group stage and the knock-out rounds. Generally, these require you to place a pre-match bet on a selected match and you will be rewarded with a free €5 bet to use once the game gets underway. Free Bets if Player X Scores – 10Bet are one of the many online bookmakers who regularly offer players the chance to claim a free €5 bet if a selected player scores during the 90 minutes. These often require a qualifying bet on the selected match and tend to be paid out once the game has concluded. Acca Insurance – This is offered by a number of Irish sportsbooks and is particularly popular during the group stage of the tournament. If you place a Champions League accumulator (typically 5+ selections), you will get your money back if only one team lets you down.
Features are vitally important when it comes to punting on the Champions League as these greatly enhance the overall betting experience. Before choosing which Champions League betting site to sign up for, it’s always advised to check the list of features available and you can find a full list by reading our comprehensive reviews. Some of the features that are extremely popular with football bettors include: Cash Out – This has become increasingly popular in recent years and is particularly important when it comes to betting on accumulators. Cash Out enables you to take some/all of your winnings, even if your chosen event is still ongoing. If your Champions League bet is in a winning position and you’re starting to feel twitchy about the prospect of a late equaliser, then this is the ideal way to settle those mid-match nerves. Bookmakers such as Bet365 also offer an early payout when your chosen team goes 2-0 up and this is also a great way to avoid a tense final few minutes. Live Streaming – Although each individual bookmaker will have their own schedule and may only have rights to certain competitions or events, live streaming is a superb way to follow all of the action as it unfolds. For Champions League bettors, this is particularly handy during the qualifying stages of the competition where many bookmakers will give you the opportunity to watch two minnows go head-to-head. It also allows you to gain a far greater perspective on the momentum of the game without having to follow the stats. Insurance – This is a good way of making sure that if your accumulator is let down by a single selection, you will receive some form of compensation, often in the form of a returned stake. This is particularly handy during the group stage of the Champions League and will help alleviate the frustration of a last-minute equaliser. Edit my Bet – If you have a change of heart just before kick-off, or you simply stumble across some concerning team news, then Edit My Bet is a great way to add or remove selections from your bet. This isn’t available with every online bookmaker, so if you’re prone to indecision or regularly change your mind, then this is an ideal way to make sure that you can potentially turn your bet into a winning one. Live In-Play Betting – With far greater accessibility to betting apps, In-play betting has risen in popularity over the last decade and is offered by the majority of online bookmakers. It allows you to get involved in a Champions League match at any stage with unique markets such as ‘next goalscorer’ or ‘next team to score’ listed amongst the live betting markets. It’s a great way to keep an interest across the 90 minutes and if you’re struggling to pick a pre-match bet, it’s the ideal way of waiting 20 minutes and analysing how the game has started before making the commitment.
