Every four years, the world unites for the ultimate sporting showcase—the Olympic Games. For Aussie punters, the 2026 Olympics in Milan-Cortina will not only be a spectacle of athletic excellence but also a golden opportunity to explore diverse betting markets across dozens of sports.
From high-speed skiing events to curling tactics, punting on the Olympics is like nothing else. Here’s your guide to Olympics 2026 betting odds, top sports to wager on, and strategies to make the most of the action.
Why Bet on the Olympics?
The Olympic Games deliver unique betting opportunities that aren’t available in mainstream sports year-round. For punters, this means:
- Fresh markets – Uncommon sports like bobsleigh, curling, or biathlon enter the spotlight.
- High value – With so many events, bookies often misprice markets, leaving room for savvy bets.
- National pride – Aussies love backing our athletes to punch above their weight on the world stage.
Olympics 2026: Key Betting Sports
While almost every sport in the Games has betting options, a few stand out for their popularity and betting appeal:
1. Alpine Skiing
- Why it’s big: Fast-paced, unpredictable, and dominated by small margins.
- Markets: Outright winners, podium finishes, head-to-head matchups.
- Tip: Check form on similar slopes and recent World Cup results.
2. Ice Hockey
- Why it’s big: A team sport with global following and strong betting markets.
- Markets: Match winners, over/under goals, handicap betting.
- Tip: Track NHL players representing their nations for insights.
3. Figure Skating
- Why it’s big: One of the most watched Olympic sports.
- Markets: Medal betting, highest scoring routines.
- Tip: Scoring trends and recent championship form matter more than reputation.
4. Curling
- Why it’s big: Strategic and slower-paced, perfect for live betting.
- Markets: Match winners, end-by-end betting, total points.
- Tip: Look at team chemistry and experience—key in this sport.
5. Snowboarding & Freestyle Skiing
- Why it’s big: Young, dynamic, and growing with huge Aussie interest.
- Markets: Trick-based scoring, outright winners.
- Tip: Punters should check X Games form for indicators.
Betting Odds at the Olympics
Unlike AFL or NRL, where punters know the form inside-out, Olympic odds can be harder to crack. This actually benefits sharp bettors:
- Bookies spread focus across dozens of events, leaving room for mispriced odds.
- Value is in the detail—following niche sports can provide a betting edge.
- Live betting often creates opportunities when momentum swings in real-time competitions.
Aussie Athletes to Watch
While Australia isn’t traditionally a Winter Olympics powerhouse, we’ve had shining moments in events like aerial skiing, snowboarding, and speed skating. Punters love a homegrown success story, and markets on Aussie athletes can deliver both patriotic pride and solid payouts.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Winter Olympics is more than just a global celebration of sport—it’s a betting playground for punters willing to study form, track athletes, and explore new markets. From fast-paced ice hockey thrillers to the finesse of figure skating, there’s no shortage of action for Aussie punters looking to back winners.
Want expert insights, bookmaker reviews, and up-to-date odds for the Olympics? Visit Top Betting Australia today and gear up for the Games.