Popular American Football Leagues Worldwide

American football is most popular in the United States, but it has leagues around the world with varying levels of competitiveness and following. Below are the most popular leagues:

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1. National Football League (NFL) - USA

The NFL is the premier professional American football league globally. It consists of 32 teams divided into two conferences:

• AFC (American Football Conference)
• NFC (National Football Conference)

Each conference has 16 teams split into four divisions (North, South, East, West). The season consists of:

• Regular Season (18 weeks, 17 games per team)
• Playoffs (14 teams, single-elimination format)
• Super Bowl (Championship game between AFC & NFC winners)

The NFL is the most watched and bet-on American football league worldwide.

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2. NCAA College Football (USA)

College football in the U.S. is governed by the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), and it is divided into different divisions, with Division I (FBS & FCS) being the highest level.

• FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision): Major teams like Alabama, Georgia, and Michigan compete.
• FCS (Football Championship Subdivision): Smaller schools with fewer scholarships.

The season culminates in major bowl games and the College Football Playoff (CFP), where the top four teams battle for the national championship.

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3. Canadian Football League (CFL) - Canada

The CFL is Canada's professional football league, consisting of nine teams split into East and West Divisions.

• The main differences from the NFL:
  • 12 players per team on the field (instead of 11).
  • Three downs per possession (instead of four).
  • Bigger field dimensions (longer & wider).

The season runs from June to November and ends with the Grey Cup, Canada's version of the Super Bowl.

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4. XFL (USA - Spring League)

Originally founded in 2001 and revived in 2023, the XFL is a spring football league that provides an alternative to the NFL. It features:

• 8 teams
• Unique rules like multiple options for extra points and a modified kickoff system.

It is backed by investors, including Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and serves as a developmental league for the NFL.

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5. United Football League (UFL) - USA (Formed 2024)

The UFL is a new merger between two previous spring leagues:

• The XFL
• The USFL (United States Football League)

The UFL plays in the spring and provides an alternative to the NFL, focusing on developing talent and innovative rules.

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6. European League of Football (ELF) - Europe

The ELF was founded in 2021 as the first fully professional European league.

• Teams from Germany, Spain, Austria, Italy, Poland, and other European nations compete.
• Rules are based on NFL gameplay, and the league aims to grow American football in Europe.

It is the strongest American football league outside North America.

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7. Mexican College & Professional Leagues (LFA & ONEFA) - Mexico

• LFA (Liga de Futbol Americano Profesional): The top professional league in Mexico.
• ONEFA (Organizacion Nacional Estudiantil de Futbol Americano): The top college league.

Mexico has a strong American football culture, and LFA players often get tryouts with CFL and NFL teams.

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Betting on American Football

Types of Bets

Betting on American football is huge, especially for the NFL and college football. Here are the most common types of bets:

1. Moneyline Bet (Win/Loss Bet)

• Simply betting on which team will win the game.
• Example:
  • Kansas City Chiefs (-150) vs. Buffalo Bills (+130)
  • Chiefs are favored (must bet $150 to win $100).
  • Bills are underdogs (bet $100 to win $130).

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2. Point Spread Bet

• The favorite must win by a certain number of points for the bet to win.
• The underdog can lose by a certain amount and still win the bet.
• Example:
  • Dallas Cowboys (-6.5) vs. New York Giants (+6.5)
  • Cowboys must win by 7 or more to cover the spread.
  • Giants can lose by 6 or less (or win) to cover the spread.

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3. Over/Under (Total Points Bet)

• Betting on the total combined points of both teams.
• Example:
  • Over/Under 48.5 points
  • If the game ends 30-20 (50 points total), Over wins
  • If the game ends 24-21 (45 points total), Under wins

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4. Parlay Bets (Multiple Games Combined)

• Betting on multiple games at once to increase payout.
• All bets must win for the parlay to cash.
• Example:
  • Patriots -3, Eagles -7, Over 45 Rams/Seahawks
  • If all three bets win, the payout is much larger than single bets.

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5. Prop Bets (Player & Game-Specific Bets)

• Betting on individual player performances or game events.
• Examples:
  • Patrick Mahomes to throw 3+ touchdowns (+250 odds).
  • First team to score a touchdown (Eagles -120).
  • Total field goals in the game (Over 3.5).

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6. Futures Bets (Season-Long Bets)

• Betting on outcomes that will happen later in the season.
• Examples:
  • Super Bowl Winner (49ers +500, Ravens +750, Chiefs +1000).
  • MVP Winner (Josh Allen +800, Lamar Jackson +900).

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Where People Bet on American Football

• Online Sportsbooks (FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars).
• Vegas Sportsbooks (Casinos in Las Vegas).
• Local Bookies (Illegal in some places).

Many sportsbooks offer live betting, where bets are placed while the game is happening.

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Final Thoughts

American football is the most bet-on sport in the U.S., and leagues like the NFL, NCAA, and CFL dominate the scene. With many ways to bet, from moneyline to parlays and props, it's a huge industry that continues to grow globally.