Are you ready for some football betting?
Circa Survivor is back for another NFL season with a record $20 million prize pool and a simple concept that gets increasingly difficult as the season unfolds. Contestants pick one winning team each week, but they can only use each team once, creating a high stakes strategy game where one wrong pick can end a run.
The Blast sat down with Derek Stevens, owner of Circa Sports, to talk about the contest’s explosive growth, why both longtime players and first timers continue to flock to it, and what makes this annual competition so compelling for football fans.
If you’re looking for a new way to enjoy the NFL season, Circa Sports in Las Vegas has just what you’re looking for. Potential contestants have until September 12 to enter Circa Survivor, Circa Million VIII, and Circa Grandissimo for the 2026-27 season.
Circa Survivor has a $1,000 entry fee and a $20 million guarantee. With more than 8,000 entries already, it continues to track ahead of last season’s record-setting pace. Circa Million VIII and Circa Grandissimo are also growing steadily. Circa VIII will offer a $6 million prize pool, including a $1 million first-place prize, and Circa Grandissimo is returning for its second year with a $100,000 entry fee and guaranteed $4 million prize for the last entry standing.
According to a press release sent to The Blast, Vice President of Operations for Circa Sports, Mike Palm, shared, “The unprecedented growth of our football contests over the last seven years is a testament to the relationships built with our customers and their trust in Circa to be part of their collective journey to winning over $30 million.”
Circa Sports will host its annual Ultimate Contest Weekend from August 27-29. This three-day celebration will bring entrants together for a variety of events, including a blackjack tournament, festivities at Stadium Swim, and much more. The weekend will also offer Mike Palm’s Football Season Preview Panel on Saturday, Aug. 29, featuring a discussion on the upcoming football season and contests, followed by a Q&A.
How Circa Survivor Got Started
Derek Stevens shared some insight with The Blast on how Circa Survivor got started.
“Eight years ago, we started Circa Million. That was the original football handicapping contest. That’s a contest where you pick five games each week against the point spread. It’s $1,000 to enter,” he said. “This year, we have a $6 million guarantee, including $1 million to the winner, weekly prizes, and all that.”
Circa Survivor Continues To Grow
4The second year into Circa Million, they rolled out Circa Survivor. Stevens explained that with Circa Survivor, there is “simplicity.”
“It’s $1,000 to enter and you pick one game each week, no point spreading, you just kind of pick the winner,” he told The Blast. “As long as you win, you survive to the next week. The difficulty is a little bit hidden.”
He added that you can only pick a team one time all season, so each week that goes by, it gets a little tougher.
“That started seven years ago. A million-and-a-half is what we guaranteed to start, and every year it just keeps going and going,” he said. “We guaranteed $15 million last year and ended up with $18.7 million. This year, we bumped it again to a record $20 million and we’re on pace to blow through that.”
You Can Watch The Circa Survivor Series Online
4Because of Circa Survivor’s growth over the years, you can now watch it all unfold online.
“Circa Survivor has grown so much that a few years ago, we decided to document it and we’ve got our season 3, which is from last year, being released now,” Stevens told The Blast. “We’re releasing one episode every Wednesday in this seven episode series.”
The series can be found on YouTube on the VSiN channel. Stevens said it was a lot of fun filming prior seasons and has been a great way to get the word out about the new season.
Why does Stevens feel people are so drawn to this contest? He said it’s the “big number.”
“I think people are really drawn to the fact that this is a big number. It’s a hell of a lot more fun than just buying a lottery ticket,” he said. “You get to watch a game and you have a little bit more control over what you do. So I think there is that element. And I think frankly, the NFL is becoming such a wonderful product that there are so many more people that are NFL fans and the whole thing is just terrific.”
More About Circa In Downtown Las Vegas
4Circa is the place to be for sports fans. In fact, Stevens said, “there is no better place to be in Las Vegas.”
“We’re a sports forward hotel casino resort in Las Vegas. We’ve got the world’s largest sportsbook. We’ve got the world’s largest aqua theater,” he shared. “We’ve got the Legacy Club, which is the rooftop lounge that provides the best view of the entire Las Vegas Valley.”
Circa is located in Downtown Las Vegas and is a 21 and over only resort. (Don’t think you’re getting in if you’re under 21…they check EVERYONE’s ID at the door.)
When planning to spend a day at Stadium Swim, Stevens highly suggests booking a cabana or poolside box in advance, because oftentimes, they sell out.
“I would also just recommend people go to the website and play around a little bit. Take a look at what’s available and book early because things always sell out,” he added. “And it’s good to know that Stadium Swim is open 365 days a year.”
