Circa Sports Shatters Football Contest Records with $31.6 Million Prize Pool
Circa Sports has shattered its own records for its 2025 NFL season contests. The Las Vegas operator set a new high with a combined prize pool of $31.6 million. This massive figure surpasses last season’s total by over $11 million.
The Richest Contest in History
The Circa Survivor contest obliterated its own lofty expectations. In this format, participants pick one straight-up winner of an NFL game each week. The contest carried a $15 million guarantee.
However, it attracted a staggering 18,718 entries. This pushed the final prize pool to a record-breaking $18.7 million. Its “last person standing” format has become a massive draw.
The rules require that each NFL team can only be used once, appealing to both serious and casual handicappers.
The “Ultra High Roller” Grandissimo
Additionally, Circa saw huge success with its new “ultra high roller” contest, Grandissimo. The contest features a staggering $100,000 entry fee, as the company designed it for the most serious and well-funded players. Grandissimo also surpassed its $1.5 million guarantee, drawing 69 entries and creating a final prize pool of $6.9 million.
“Blew away the record,” Circa owner Derek Stevens said of the results. “Great for everyone here at Circa Sports. Great for fabulous Las Vegas.”
While the Survivor contests were a runaway success, the story was different for the Circa Million. This contest requires five weekly picks against the point spread. Unfortunately for Circa, it failed to meet its $6 million prize pool guarantee. The contest drew 5,685 entries, resulting in a $315,000 “overlay.” This means Circa had to contribute that amount to the prize pool out of its own pocket.
This overlay likely had a ripple effect across Las Vegas. For instance, a competing contest at the Westgate SuperBook reportedly saw a slowdown in sign-ups. Players were likely drawn to the added value at Circa in the final days.
A Competitive Landscape
The results from the opening weekend highlight the intense competition in the Las Vegas football contest market. While Circa’s Survivor contests have become the undisputed heavyweight champion, the Westgate SuperBook also reported a successful sign-up period for its own offerings.
“Survivor went well. The winner gets $555,000,” said John Murray, vice president of race and sports at the Westgate. He noted that Circa’s Survivor may have “cannibalized” some interest in their SuperContest. Despite this, the total money taken in this year saw a “very significant increase” over last year.
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