The 2023 Women’s World Cup drew record action for many sportsbooks, but most had considered the event a success well before Spain claimed is first WWC title on Sunday.

The vastly increased amount of regulated states since the last WWC combined with the United States women’s national team’s early exit proved a winning combination for books.

“This was the most-bet Women’s World Cup of all time at BetMGM,” Christian Cipollini, BetMGM’s sports trading manager, told Field Level Media. “The USA Women’s National Team losing early was a good outcome for the sportsbook.”

The USWNT was the heavy pre-tournament favorite to claim a third consecutive World Cup title. But after a lackluster performance in the group stage, the U.S. team was bounced from the tournament in the Round of 16.

BetRivers told Field Level Media that the three most-wagered matches during the tournament all involved the USWNT, who were backed by 18 percent of all bets and 16 percent of all money wagered on the winning team.

The top five most wagered-on teams in terms of futures and match money at the book were:
1. USWNT
2. Spain
3. England
4. Netherlands
5. Japan

Spain, who entered the tournament at +550 to win, were backed by 9.3 percent of the futures tickets and 9.8 percent of the futures handle at BetRivers, the third most behind the USWNT and runner-up England.

The final between Spain and England drew the fifth-most wagers of any match at the book.

–Field Level Media