In Numbers: Euro 2020

It ended up being Forza Azzurri, not Football’s Coming Home

What was your highlight of Euro 2020? Maybe Patrik Schick’s incredible goal from over 50 yards against Scotland? Or was it the manic Monday of the last 16 which saw both Croatia vs. Spain and France vs. Switzerland finish 3–3 after 90 minutes?

For us, it was having more users than ever before at a major tournament enjoying our industry-leading odds on either the Smarkets exchange or SBK sportsbook app.

When compared to the last Euros in 2016, active users (those placing a bet on the tournament) increased by 75%, while this number was also up 33% vs. the 2018 World Cup.

This led to a total betting volume for the tournament of £165m on the Smarkets platform (exchange and sportsbook), with last Sunday’s final between Italy and England drawing the most bets totalling £11.5m.

England, having scored inside two minutes at the start of the final, were backed at just 1/6 to lift the trophy (indicating an 86% likelihood) shortly before Italy’s equaliser midway through the second half.

Italy went on to win the European Championship for the second time in their history having been available at 12/1 (8%) in the weeks leading up to it, but eventually going off at 9/1 (10%) when the tournament started.

Schick’s aforementioned stunner was one of five goals for the Czech striker, who finished level with Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the Euro 2020 scoring chart on five goals having been a 250/1 shot to be top scorer beforehand.

One of the best bet wins on SBK came in the last 16 when a customer placed £40 at odds of 150/1 on Switzerland’s tie with France to finish 3–3, which miraculously happened thanks to a Swiss comeback to earn that punter £6,000.

Smarkets CEO/Founder Jason Trost said:

“Smarkets and SBK once again provided a superb service for customers during a major football tournament, and I’m delighted to see the growth in our user base when compared with Euro 2016 (up 75%) and the 2018 World Cup (up 33%).

“What’s more, the numbers coming from places like Oddschecker on our performance versus some of the biggest names in this industry are incredible. We are really making a name for ourselves now as more people realise better odds are out there.

“As for last Sunday, I may be an American but having lived in London for many years it’s a shame England couldn’t quite bring it home. To lose on penalties is so tough, however reaching a final for the first time in 55 years is still a huge achievement.”