Sporting events you can still bet on during the COVID-19 crisis

The sports world was stunned this week following the unprecedented cancellation of major events such as March Madness and the suspension of major league sports seasons in North America and Europe amid growing concern over the spread of the new coronavirus. 

On Wednesday, the NBA suspended its season after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19. Less than 24 hours later, the NCAA cancelled March Madness, not long after a number of conferences cancelled their championship tournaments. 

The NHL, Major League Soccer, and Premier League have all suspended their seasons, while Major League Baseball will delay the start of its 2020 season for at least two weeks. The XFL has cancelled the remainder of its season. The PGA Tour has cancelled this weekend’s tournament, The Players Championship, and the Masters has also been postponed. 

Although the list of sporting events for bettors to wager on has been drastically reduced in the last 48 hours, there are still a number of sports available to wager on. 

Mixed Martial Arts

UFC president Dana White stated Thursday that events will continue as planned this weekend without fans in attendance.

Saturday’s Fight Night in Brazil is a go, with Kevin Lee facing Charles Oliveira in a lightweight bout for the main event of the evening. 

Lee has a career record of 18-5 and is the favorite at TwinSpires to win Saturday, with odds of -145 compared to Oliveira at +120. 

There are currently 12 UFC bouts on the betting menu for Saturday. Fight Night 171, which takes place March 21, is available to wager at TwinSpires.

Darts

The Professional Darts Corporation has revised its upcoming schedule later this month due to coronavirus concerns, however, next week’s event at Newcastle is still planned to go ahead, according to the PDC website. 

The popularity of darts as a spectator sport, both live and on television, has taken off in recent years with competitors embracing the frenzied party atmosphere of the supporters in attendance. 

There are currently five PDC matches on the menu at TwinSpires for next Thursday’s event. 
Michael van Gerwen is favored in his match over Rob Cross, with odds of -230 at TwinSpires, compared to odds of +420 for the underdog Cross. 

Cross has lost 10 of his last 11 matches to van Gerwen, who is the top-ranked darts competitor in the world. 

Aussie Rules Football

The AFL announced Friday that it will start its season next week, with no fans in attendance. 

Aussie Rules Football, a fast-paced full contact sport, is played on a large oval shaped pitch – much larger than that of an NFL field – and consists of four quarters. Teams score points by kicking the ball through the middle two goal posts for a six-point score, or between one of the middle posts and an outside post for a single. 

The Richmond Tigers and Carlton Blues are scheduled to open the season next Thursday. The Tigers are match favorites with odds of -325 to win at TwinSpires. 

Richmond won the 2019 AFL grand final in convincing fashion, so it’s no surprise they’re so heavily favored in the opening match. 

Hockey

A number of hockey leagues across the world have suspended or cancelled their seasons, however, the KHL playoffs will continue in Russia.

Lines are available at TwinSpires for next week’s playoff games, including a showdown between CSKA Moscow and Dynamo Moscow. 

Other sports available at TwinSpires

There are additional sports and events available to wager on at TwinSpires. The list of sports includes rugby, soccer, cycling (Tour de France outright market) and snooker.