Sports you can still bet on during the COVID-19 crisis
Bats in a bat rack. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire)
May 6th, 2020
Many sports leagues around the world are beginning to finalize plans to return to action after suspending their seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Wednesday, the Bundesliga in Germany was given the green light to resume its season later this month after shutting down operations on March 13. Teams are expected to meet this week to discuss precisely when they'll return.
For other promotions, such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the return to action is imminent, with events scheduled to be held within a matter of days, which means additional available events for bettors to wager on at BetAmerica.
UFC 249
Mixed martial arts are set to resume this weekend with a highly anticipated card for the UFC 249 in Jacksonville, Florida, following a number of cancelled events over the past few weeks.
The main event features Tony Ferguson versus Justin Gaethje in a lightweight interim title bout. Ferguson, with a record of 26-3, is favored against Gaethje, with money line odds of -190 at BetAmerica.
Bettors can wager on a variety of markets for Saturday’s fights, including Over/Under on total rounds, which round a competitor will win the fight in, and method of victory, among many others.
On this date in 2012, Michael Johnson defeated Tony Ferguson by unanimous decision.
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 5, 2020
Ferguson hasn't lost since, riding an eight-year, 12-fight winning streak into #UFC249 on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/5N6VTWPWQA
There are currently 12 fights available to wager on at BetAmerica for Saturday’s UFC 249 card.
Horse Racing
Horse racing has continued at a number of different venues in the United States and Australia during the pandemic, with daily markets available at BetAmerica.
BetAmerica Extra has also continued to provide daily picks for horse racing events in the U.S. and Australia.
This week, Churchill Downs announced it had released a stakes schedule for a shortened 2020 spring meet, with opening weekend scheduled for Saturday, May 16. Events will continue to run Thursdays through Sundays until June 27.
Korean Baseball Organization
The Korean Baseball Organization regular season is now underway, following opening day on Tuesday. The defending champion Doosan Bears got off to a rocky start, losing their opener, before rebounding in the second game of their three-game set against the LG Twins.
BetAmerica offers a variety of single game markets to bet on, as well as futures for the 2020 Korean Series.
The Bears currently have the best odds right now to win the Korean Series and repeat as champs.
The Korean Baseball League is coming to ESPN ⚾ pic.twitter.com/m5rVvQs7hv
— ESPN (@espn) May 4, 2020
ESPN recently signed a deal to broadcast six KBO games a week to appease baseball fans who continue to await the return of MLB action.
Soccer
While we await word on when more major European leagues may resume their schedules, a number of different professional soccer leagues across the globe have continued play despite the pandemic.
That includes the Belarus Premier League, Nicaraguan Primera Division, Korea K-League 1, Taiwan Premier League and Faroe Islands Premier League – all of which are available to wager on at BetAmerica.
Which major sports leagues are nearing a return?
Bundesliga
As mentioned, Bundesliga is set to complete its schedule later this month. An exact date has yet to be confirmed, but the season could resume as early as May 15. All games will take place without fans in attendance in accordance with government regulations.
NASCAR
The NASCAR Cup Series is set to return on Sunday, May 17 at Darlington Raceway.
NASCAR has revised its schedule for the month of May, and plans to hold four Cup Series events in 10 days (May 17 – 27) at two venues – Darlington Raceway and Charlotte Motor Speedway. That includes races on May 17, 20, 24, and 27. The first two races will take place at Darlington, and the next two events will be held at Charlotte.
NASCAR ran four Cup Series events before suspending its schedule prior to its March 15 race in Atlanta.
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour has announced plans to resume its schedule in mid-June, starting with the Charles Schwab Challenge from June 11-14. The first four events will take place without fans in attendance.
The schedule will continue with the RBC Heritage from June 18-21, Travelers Championship from June 25-28, and Rocket Mortgage Classic from July 2-5.
The Open Championship, which would have been the final major of the year, was cancelled due to the pandemic. The Masters, U.S. Open, and PGA Championship have all been postponed.