With the holiday season here, we are gearing up for 2025. As we get ready for the start of the new year, let’s take a look at some of the biggest and best events to bet on in 2025.
January: NFL Playoffs and Australian Open
In the month of January, we have the NFL playoffs with the Wild Card, Divisional, and Conference Championship games. Some of the teams I like to bet on in the NFL right now include the Detroit Lions (+250), and the Philadelphia Eagles (+650) are the clear favorites in the NFC. If you like a longer shot play in the NFL, try the Green Bay Packers at +1500.
Over in the AFC, I like the Buffalo Bills (+750) and Baltimore Ravens (+900), but you can’t ever count out Kansas City, who is looking to make it three Super Bowls in a row at +450.
Want a longer shot? How about the LA Chargers (+2500) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (+3000), both teams have a great defense and plenty of value.
One other event in January is one of the tennis majors, the Australian Open, which is from Jan 12-26. On the men’s side, I like 2024 runner-up Daniil Medvedev (+900), the No. 5 player in the world right now. Medvedev has been in the finals of this event three times, so 2025 might finally be his year.
On the women’s side, I like Coco Gauff (+550), the No. 3 player in the world, to win after reaching the semifinals last year. Gauff won the US Open in 2023 and made the semis in Australia in 2024, showing she is one of the top hardcourt players in the world.
February: Super Bowl LVIII
For February, the biggest event is the Super Bowl, with the four teams I mentioned above as the favorites to win. This year’s championship game is in New Orleans on Feb 9. Currently, the Detroit Lions are the current favorites to win Super Bowl LVIII, with odds at +300. They are followed by the Kansas City Chiefs at +500 and the Philadelphia Eagles at +650. The Baltimore Ravens also have strong odds at +700, positioning them as significant contenders.
March: March Madness
The month of March belongs to March Madness, which is the NCAA Basketball championship for both men and women.
Right now, I like what I see from Ryan Membhard and Gonzaga (+1300) on the men’s side. The Zags have been to the Sweet 16 nine straight seasons and added Khalif Battle from Arkansas, who averaged 14.8 points per game last season with the Razorbacks.
A couple of teams to keep an eye on include UCONN (+1400), who have won back-to-back titles. They have just one returner, Alex Karaban, but added Saint Mary’s transfer Aidan Mahaney and a very good recruiting class. Kansas (+1200) returns with Hunter Dickinson, who averaged 17.9 points per game and led the Big 12 with 10.9 rebounds per game. Finally, Marquette (+6000) is my longshot pick with Wooden Award favorite Kam Jones.
On the women’s side, I like South Carolina (+300) to go back-to-back as they return 87% of their minutes and 84% of their points scored from a season ago and lost only one starter to the WNBA, Kamilla Cardoso. You always have to consider UCONN (+400) with Paige Bueckers, who averaged 21.6 points per game, and USC (+600) with JuJu Watkins, who averaged 27.1 points per game. USC landed the top recruiting class and one of the top transfers in Stanford forward Kiki Iriafen, who averaged 19.4 points per game last season.
April: The Masters
The month of April belongs to The Masters, the first golf major of the year, in Augusta, GA. If you like a longshot, Max Homa is +4000 to win the event this year, he had a great showing in 2024, with a -4, to finish tied for third. Scottie Scheffler is the favorite (+450), but I like to find someone who could surprise, so let’s take a shot with Ludvig Aberg (+1400), who was the runner-up in 2024.
May: A Packed Month of Major Events
May has a bunch of things happening, with the Kentucky Derby, PGA Championship, French Open, Indy 500, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League Finals.
In the PGA Championship, I like Viktor Hovland, who finished third in 2024 at -18. In the French Open, I think we will see a repeat winner with Carlos Alcaraz (+175), the favorite. If you are looking for a long shot, I like Alexander Zverev (+800), who was the runner-up in 2024, and Daniil Medvedev (+2500), who was 18-4 on clay in 2024.
June: US Open, NBA Finals, and Wimbledon
June has the US Open in golf, the NBA Finals in basketball, and Wimbledon in tennis.
The US Open will be played at the very difficult Oakmont Country Club, a place where even the very best in the world struggle. This year, I am going with Dustin Johnson (+5000), who won the event at Oakmont in 2016 at 4-under par.
For the NBA Finals, it’s hard to go against the Boston Celtics (+250), but if you want a couple of long-shot plays, take the Oklahoma City Thunder (+425), Cleveland Cavaliers (+1300), or Minnesota Timberwolves (+2000).
At Wimbledon, the defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is probably the best grass player right now on the men’s side and is +160 to win the event. On the ladies’ side, Jasmine Paolini is +1400 to win the event after losing in the final in 2024. She is one of the best women’s players on grass and I think she will win the event in 2025.
July: The Open Championship
The Open Championship, the third golf major of the year, takes place in July. This year’s event will be played in Northern Ireland at Royal Portrush. Scottie Scheffler is the current favorite at +600, which I think is pretty good value. One name to consider is 2024 runner-up Billy Horschel, who is a longshot pick at +12000.
August: US Open Tennis
In August, it’s one of the biggest tennis events of the year, the US Open in Flushing, NY. At this point, it’s hard to see anyone knocking off Jannik Sinner (+200), who is considered the top hardcourt player in the world right now. His 35-2 record on hardcourts this season makes it tough to see him going down here.
Looking for a longer shot on the men’s side? Frances Tiafoe (+4000) had a great run in 2024 and could be one to watch in the 2025 event. On the ladies’ side, Aryna Sabalenka (+250) is the favorite for good reason, finishing the season winning 37 of the 40 sets she played in majors (92.5%). I also like American Jessica Pegula (+2500), who was the runner-up in 2024.
September: College Football, NFL Kickoff, and Ryder Cup
September marks the start of the college football season, the NFL, and the Ryder Cup. The Americans are the favorites right now at -145, with Europe at +150.
October: MLB Playoffs
In October, you have the baseball playoffs. If you want to jump on a team with some good value, try the Philadelphia Phillies at +1000. They’ve been close a few times and could make a splash in free agency.
November and December: Football Takes Over
As you get into November and December, college football and NFL games will take center stage, with plenty of great matchups to bet on.
So there you have it, a quick look at the top events of 2025 and who to bet on now before the odds at the NJ bookies change. Stay ahead of the game and make your picks early for the best value!
2025 Betting Calendar: Best Events and Bonus Bets
| Month | Event | Best Bet Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| January | NFL Playoffs, Australian Open | bet365 NJ: Bet $10, Get up to $1,000 or $150 in Bonus Bets (USB365). |
| February | Super Bowl LVIII | BetMGM NJ: Bet $10, Get up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets (NJDOTBET). |
| March | March Madness | FanDuel NJ: Claim up to $150 if your first bet wins (No code needed). |
| April | The Masters | Caesars NJ Sportsbook: Get up to $1,000 Free Bet (CZR1000). |
| May | Kentucky Derby, French Open, PGA Championship | Golden Nugget NJ: $250 Bonus Bet for wagers at minimum odds of -200 or greater (No code needed). |
| June | US Open Golf, NBA Finals, Wimbledon | BetRivers NJ: Up to $250 in a second chance bet (NJBRV). |
| July | The Open Championship | Borgata NJ Sportsbook: $100 Free Bets (NJBETBRGT). |
| August | US Open Tennis | bet365 NJ: Bet $10, Get up to $1,000 or $150 in Bonus Bets (USB365). |
| September | NFL Kickoff, College Football, Ryder Cup | BetMGM NJ: Bet $10, Get up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets (NJDOTBET). |
| October | MLB Playoffs | FanDuel NJ: Claim up to $150 if your first bet wins (No code needed). |
| November | College Football, NFL Games | Caesars NJ Sportsbook: Get up to $1,000 Free Bet (CZR1000). |
| December | NFL Playoffs Push | BetRivers NJ: Up to $250 in a second chance bet (NJBRV). |
Special Offers for NJ Sports Bettors
If you’re betting from New Jersey, take advantage of exclusive promotions available from top sportsbooks. For new users, bet365 NJ Sportsbook offers “Bet $10, Get up to $1,000 or $150 in Bonus Bets” with promo code USB365. At BetMGM NJ, you can claim up to $1,500 in bonus bets when you wager just $10 using promo code NJDOTBET.
Looking for a second chance? BetRivers NJ gives up to $250 in a second chance bet with a minimum $20 wager and promo code NJBRV. Borgata Sportsbook keeps it simple with $100 in free bets (NJBETBRGT), while FanDuel lets you claim up to $150 if your first bet wins, no promo code needed. Don’t miss out on these incredible bet offers in 2025.
