The Most Anticipated Sports-Betting Events of 2020: Non-Super Bowl Edition!

• The next 12 months feature a handful of massive sporting events that will be of keen interest to bettors
• The Tokyo Olympics and 2020 Euro highlight the calendar
• Use the list below to see what’s in store and save the date

Apart from the annual massive sporting events — like the Super Bowl, Kentucky Derby, Champions League final (etc.) — the 2020 sporting calendar is home to several other marquee events that have bettors the world over on high alert. The even-numbered nature of 2020 means it’s either a Summer or Winter Olympic year and either a World Cup or Euro year. While I’ve already spoiled which in the bullet points, above, there are still three other reasons to keep reading.

Here are the top-five 2020 sporting events to mark on your calendar.

5. Conor McGregor vs. Donald Cerrone

This isn’t the blockbuster return-to-the-ring fight for Conor McGregor that many were hoping for, but anytime “Notorious” dons a pair of four-ounce gloves, it’s a big deal. In his first MMA fight since Oct. 2018, McGregor will face Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone on Jan. 18. The fight headlines UFC 246 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

McGregor’s last fight was a decisive 4th-round TKO loss to undefeated welterweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, a bout in which he was outclassed from the opening bell.

If McGregor wants to re-enter the title picture in any weight class, he will need to string a few wins together, and that starts with UFC 246. Cerrone is no pushover, but oddsmakers have him sitting as a massive +245 underdog, with C-Mac coming in as a roughly -315 favorite.

Both men like to stand and trade, so those betting on the fight may want to consider the under rounds prop.

4. Fury vs Wilder II

The second edition of Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder will take place on February 22 in Las Vegas, NV. The pair fought to a draw back in December 2018, meaning Wilder retained his WBC heavyweight title. That strap will be on the line again in the rematch.

Fury is a very slight -120 favorite at most sportsbooks, with Wilder checking in around -110 or +100.

Fury was able to control most of the first fight with his jab, but Wilder landed the only knockdown and nearly finished the fight late. The second go-around is shaping up to be another battle between Fury’s tactics and Wilder’s power.

3. Ryder Cup

The 2020 Ryder Cup will take place at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin from Friday, Sep. 25 to Sunday, Sep. 27. The Europeans won their fourth title in five tries in 2018, crushing the US 17.5-10.5. It was America’s worst loss since 2006.

By all rights, the Americans should have the edge. They have 11 players in the top 20 of the World Golf Rankings (and five of the top seven) compared to seven top-20 golfers (and two top-seven) for the Europeans. But the Ryder Cup rarely goes according to script. The matchplay format brings out the best in some (see Ian Poulter, Patrick Reed) and the worst in others (see Jim Furyk).

2. Euro 2020

Running from June 12 to July 12, the 2020 Euro tournament will see Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal team trying to defend its 2016 title against the likes of France, Spain, England, Germany, and Italy.

Unlike most years, this year’s tournament takes place in 12 different countries. In terms of which team will have the best home-field advantage, it’s England. The semifinals and final will all take place in London, which is a big part of why the current Euro 2020 odds have the English as outright favorites.

Of course, England has to get to the semifinals to make it count.

1. Tokyo Summer Olympics

The 32nd Summer Olympics take place in and around Tokyo from July 24 to August 9. This will be the first year since 2004 that the biggest event of the games, the 100-meter dash, does not feature three-time defending champion Usain Bolt.

The early odds favor the USA to win the most gold medals at an incredibly short -3000. Next on the list is China at +1100, followed by Great Britain all the way back at +4500.

All time, Team USA has won 1,022 gold medals over the 27 Olympics in which the country has participated. Second on the list is still the Soviet Union at 395.