Survey Data Shows Stable UK Sports Betting Patterns Heading Into 2026

The YouGov survey commissioned by OLBG gathered responses from more than 2,100 UK adults and mapped out current sports betting activity alongside forward-looking intentions, with fieldwork completed between 17 and 18 November 2025 on a weighted sample of 2,108 participants aged 18 and over.

Nine percent of adults reported placing sports bets at least once a month during 2025, a figure that researchers tracked across different age groups and locations to establish a baseline for ongoing participation levels.

National Betting Participation Remains Consistent

Intent to bet held steady when respondents looked ahead, with 18 percent indicating they planned at least one sports wager in 2026, matching patterns observed in prior periods and showing little fluctuation despite evolving market conditions.

Those conducting the poll noted that monthly engagement stayed within a narrow band while one-off or event-driven bets continued to draw the largest share of interest, a distinction that separated regular participants from occasional players across the sample.

Regional Differences Stand Out in Planning Data

Northern Ireland recorded the highest proportion of residents expecting to place bets in 2026 at 26 percent, a level that exceeded figures reported in England, Scotland and Wales according to the same weighted dataset.

Observers note that this regional lead appeared across multiple question types, including both general intentions and specific event interest, suggesting localized factors may influence how people approach upcoming fixtures.

Grand National Tops List of Popular Events

The Grand National emerged as the single most popular betting occasion within the survey, attracting stated interest from between 49 and 51 percent of those who indicated they follow sports betting at all.

Participants selected this steeplechase ahead of other major fixtures, a result that held across both regular and infrequent bettors and aligned with historical patterns of engagement around the annual Aintree meeting.

World Cup Draws Strong Anticipation for 2026

The FIFA World Cup scheduled for 2026 generated the highest forward interest among upcoming events, with between 34 and 43 percent of respondents expressing plans to follow or wager on matches once the tournament begins.

This anticipation level outpaced other international competitions mentioned in the questionnaire, reflecting the tournament's broad reach and the four-year cycle that builds extended lead time for planning.

Steady Intentions Despite Calendar Shifts

Overall plans for 2026 remained consistent with 2025 activity, even as several regulatory adjustments approach in May 2026 that will alter certain operator structures and tax frameworks across the sector.

The survey captured these intentions before those changes take effect, providing a snapshot that future waves can compare against once new rules are in place.

Conclusion

Data from the November 2025 poll offers a clear baseline for tracking how participation and event preferences evolve through the next calendar year, particularly around signature races and the expanded World Cup schedule.

Further details appear in the 2026 Betting Trends Survey report, which includes breakdowns by demographics and additional questions on betting frequency.