Best Athletics Betting Sites in Ireland for 2024

How we rank athletics betting sites

There are hundreds of bookmakers online, but not all bookmakers are worth your hard-earned cash. Athletics bettors need a sports betting website that caters to their needs. Some betting websites simply do athletics better than others. We have researched athletics betting sites to find the best bookmakers for Irish bettors. You can see our criteria for ranking betting sites below. 

• Welcome bonuses and new customer offers

Everyone likes a perk and sports bettors are no different. Getting a welcome bonus or a new customer offer for signing up for a new betting site is one of the best perks for punters. You can receive a welcome bonus for joining a new bookmaker, giving you the chance to receive free bets, deposit bonuses, and other deals. All you need to do is sign up for a new betting website to obtain the perks. Not all welcome bonuses are created equally. You should shop around to find the best new customer deals before signing up to a sports betting website. 

• Existing customer bonuses

New customers shouldn’t get all the perks from sports betting websites. Existing customers should also receive bonuses for their continued betting with a specific bookmaker. Existing customer bonuses often come as free bets. Free bets can be used to wager on athletics events just like real cash. Free bets allow you to grow your bankroll. Bookmakers also offer existing customer bonuses in the form of matched bets. You may receive a free bet of equal value after placing a wager on an event.

• Easy sign-up

A good sportsbook should be easy to sign up for. It should take just a few minutes to enter your details, confirm the account, and deposit funds into your wallet. Bookmakers with long sign-up processes are a major turnoff.

• Payment methods

Leading bookmakers have a variety of ways for customers to pay. The more deposit methods available means more customers use their preferred banking system. There should also be a variety of withdrawal methods available. Some of the most popular banking methods include PayPal, Apple Pay, pre-paid cards, bank transfers, debit cards, and cryptocurrency. Not all bookmakers will offer these methods, but the best betting websites will have a variety of payment methods. 

• Odds and Markets

At the end of the day, a betting website is only as good as the odds and markets it provides. You need a betting website with a variety of markets. Sure, athletics is a unique sport, with a limited number of markets for each event. Yet, you want as many events covered as possible by the betting website. In addition, you want the best possible odds. You should always compare the odds for athletics events by using a betting aggregator website. It is also helpful to open multiple betting accounts with different websites. You can make a bet with the website that offers the best odds. Many professional bettors will shop around until they find the best betting price.

• Mobile betting app

The world is literally at your fingertips. Smartphones completely changed the way people bet on sports. You can now bet on sports from anywhere at any time of the day. The best betting websites have a dedicated sports betting app. The apps need to be easy to use and provide the same perks as the betting website. A betting app with specific bonuses and features that the website doesn’t offer is always a nice touch.

• Live streaming

Live streaming is one of the best parts of a betting website. Live streaming allows you to watch top-rated sports while placing bets. Having a website that live streams athletics is ideal. 

• In-play betting

In-play betting, also known as live betting, goes together with live streaming. It is a great feature that gives you the chance to bet on events after they begin. Due to the nature of athletics, some betting websites won’t allow in-play betting. There are plenty of other sports to wager on with live betting, however. 

• Security and Licensing

Security is one of the most important aspects of finding a new bookmaker. You need a bookmaker that looks out for your safety, with the latest security technology. You don’t want your sensitive details compromised by third parties. You should always join betting websites that are licensed and regulated. If you sign up with an unlicensed bookmaker, you risk losing your money. Licensed bookmakers are not overseen by regulators. You should only sign up for a betting website with licenses from the top betting authorities. 

Best Athletics Betting Sites in Ireland

There are hundreds of online bookmakers. Irish bettors have the chance to open an account with a myriad of betting websites, yet not all bookmakers are created equally. We have found four bookmakers that are ideal for athletics bettors. Each bookmaker met the unique criteria we outlined above. 

Unibet

Pros:

• A range of betting markets
• Competitive odds
• Strong promotions that beat its rivals’ offers

Cons:

• Customer service can be hit and miss
• Cash-out feature could be upgraded to be more responsive

Unibet went online in 1999. It has a strong reputation as an online sportsbook, providing customers with competitive odds and markets. Unibet has markets for major athletics events like the Olympics and World Championships. You can also find odds on other lesser competitions. The bookmaker provides quick deposits and withdrawals. It has a live-streaming platform, giving punters the chance to watch a variety of sports. The welcome offer is attractive and will increase your bankroll with free bets. The Unibet betting app is perfect for bettors on the go. You don’t need a computer or laptop to place bets with Unibet, and the design of the app makes it a seamless transition from the website. The live betting feature is top-notch, with markets and odds updated every few seconds for most sporting events.

Ladbrokes

Pros:

• Long history in UK betting industry
• Live streaming available
• Plenty of promotions for new customers and existing customers

Cons:

• Odds may not be competitive on some markets

Ladbrokes is a leader in the sports betting industry. The bookmaker has a long history as a high-street bet shop and betting website. Ladbrokes offers markets for major athletics competitions. The Olympics is well covered by Ladbrokes, with markets for top events. Ladbrokes may not cover minor athletics events, so there may be no markets offered for the Diamond League Athletics. Ladbrokes has one of the best live streaming platforms available. There are live betting markets and bet builders are available. Ladbrokes is one of the best betting sites for new punters learning the ropes of sports betting.

BetVictor

Pros:

• Strong welcome bonus
• Fast withdrawal process
• Easy-to-use betting app

Cons:

• Live streaming limited to horse racing and greyhound racing

BetVictor is another long-running betting company. It was founded decades ago as a high-street bet shop and moved online in the 2000s. BetVictor is a great website for customers looking for an attractive welcome bonus. You will find high percentage offers perfect to increase your bankroll. BetVictor has markets for over 30 sports. Each day you will find thousands of sports betting markets. You can make live bets using the BetVictor app or website. The only improvement BetVictor could make is to add live streaming. There is a game tracker provided with the live betting feature.

Coral

Pros:

• Great new customer offer
• Engaging live betting feature
• Covers 40-plus sports

Cons:

• Website isn’t the most attractive

Coral is another longstanding betting website. It has been around for decades, providing customers with exceptional service. You can download the Coral app or use the website to place bets on athletics and other sports. Coral has competitive odds for all its markets. The odds update quickly in the live bet section to give you the latest prices. Athletics fans will have plenty to wager on during major events. Coral’s welcome bonus is excellent, giving you plenty of cash to add to your bankroll. You can also withdraw any winnings from free bets. Coral has a strong reputation in the betting industry. It is a name that punters are familiar with. Coral sponsors a variety of sporting events which strengthens their relationship to top level competitions. The website still needs some work to make it easy to use and look at. Overall, Coral is a top bookmaker and perfect for anyone new to sports betting.

Betting on Athletics

The biggest athletics events are the World Championships and the Olympics, but there are other events as well. Whether it is indoor or outdoor competitions, there are plenty of track and field tournaments to wager on throughout the year. 

Unfortunately, athletics doesn’t get the attention sports like football, basketball, or tennis do in the mainstream unless it is one of the world’s biggest competitions. When the World Championships or the Olympics take place, all eyes suddenly converge on the games. 

Athletics is a special sport and bettors can wager on the individual who can jump the furthest, run the fastest, or throw the farthest. The games also involve athletes from around the globe. Some countries are better than others at athletics, yet there isn’t one country that often dominates every single event. 

Let’s explore the different athletics betting markets, bookmakers, and strategies to use for athletics betting.

Athletics betting markets

There are over two dozen athletics events. Not all athletics events will be contested at a track meet, but many of the top events will take place. Depending on the competition, a bookmaker may offer more betting markets for big events compared to smaller tournaments. Some of the events will have more markets compared to others, giving you the chance to explore the different betting options. 

One of the issues bettors have with athletics is the sports themselves. Athletics is black and white. A winner will be produced for each event. You will be able to wager on the individual you predict to win the event. An event-winner bet will be the simplest bet to make. Yet, you will find other markets available in some cases. 

We have compiled a list of some of the athletics betting markets below

Outright winner/Event winner	An outright winner bet is a wager on the individual you predict to win an event. Regardless of the athletics event, you will have the chance to place an outright winner wager.
To qualify	Major athletics events like the Olympics and World Championships have qualifying heats. An athlete will need to qualify for the finals of the event by finishing with a strong time in their qualifying heat. You can place wagers on individuals to qualify from a heat during the major events.
To win a medal	Rather than bet on an individual to win a specific event, you may want to place a wager on the athlete to medal. The individual doesn’t have to win the event. They simply need to win one of the three medals up for grabs. You may be able to bet on a country to win a medal at an athletics competition rather than betting on an individual.
To set a WR or PB	World records are always up for grabs when it comes to athletics. Athletes train tirelessly to break world records and etch their names in history. If you fancy an athlete setting a world record at a major event, then you can place a wager on it. You can also place a wager on an individual to set a personal best with some bookmakers.
Team medals	Some sports betting websites will let you wager on a national team and the number of medals they win. This is a popular bet during the Olympics, as the top nations battle for the most medals.

Strategies for athletics betting

Athletics is like any other sport, and you need to have a strategy for betting on the events. A good strategy strengthens your chances of turning bets into winning wagers. We have explored different strategies for athletics betting and compiled a list below to help you make smart wagers.

• Injuries and fitness

Athlete injuries and fitness are extremely important in athletics betting. A pulled muscle, sprained ankle, or even a blister could make all the difference between a sprinter winning a race and finishing second. You need up to the minute details on the athletes before an event. An injury to a top-class runner could influence you to wager on an underdog. Perhaps the favourite is being overlooked due to a lingering fitness issue. A wager on the favourite could pan out, as other bettors place wagers on different runners. You need to read as much information as possible on the athletes in the build-up to the events.

• Form

An athlete’s form will tell you a lot about the event before it takes place. A runner in good form could blow the field away, while an out-of-form runner may struggle to keep up with the pack. Before placing a wager on an individual, you need to research their recent performances. You shouldn’t stop there. You need to research the other runners to learn about their previous races. The more knowledge you have on each athlete, the better informed your bet is.

• Past results

The Olympics come around every four years and the World Championships are held annually. The past results of these major events are posted online, giving you the chance to see how the best runners performed. You can compare the previous results with the runners competing in the current event. Perhaps one of the runners could break a world record.

• Find an underdog

There are a lot of athletics athletes. Not all bookmakers will have information on the entrants. This gives you the chance to find an underdog ahead of the race. You may find a runner that performs well in certain stadiums, at specific events, or against an opponent. You can find a diamond in the rough that bookmakers aren’t familiar with. Remember Usain Bolt was an unknown runner at one time. You may uncover the next Bolt with a winning underdog bet.

Popular athletics betting competitions and events

There are a variety of athletics competitions and events throughout the year. Some of the events are bigger than others, and feature some of the top stars in the world.

Major athletics competitions include:

• The Olympics
• World Championships
• Commonwealth Games
• World Athletics Diamond League
• Youth Olympics
• World Indoor Championships
• European Athletics Championship

While the events above feature some of the top athletics stars, you may wonder which events are available to wager on. Many sports betting websites offer a variety of events to bet on, including:

• 60 metres
• 100 metres
• 200 metres
• 400 metres
• 800 metres
• 1500 metres
• 3000 metres
• 5000 metres
• 10,000 metres
• Hurdles events
• Steeplechase
• Marathon and half marathon
• Cross Country running
• Relay
• High Jump
• Pole Vault

Athletics World Records

Event	Men’s World Record	Name	Country	Date	Competition
100m	9.58 seconds	Usain Bolt	Jamaica	16 August 2009	World Championships
200m	19.19 seconds	Usain Bolt	Jamaica	20 August 2009	World Championships
400m	43.03 seconds	Wayde van Niekerk	South Africa	14 August 2016	Olympic Games
800m	1 min 40.91 sec	David Rudisha	Kenya	9 August 2012	Olympic Games
Long Jump	8.95 metres	Mike Powell	USA	30 August 1991	World Championships
Triple Jump	18.29 metres	Jonathan Edwards	Great Britain	7 August 1995	World Championships

FAQ on Athletics betting