Top Sports Events to Bet On in May 2025 | Upcoming Betting Highlights
The weather is heating up and so is the sports action! Every week in May is full of first-class major sporting events coming from all around the globe, and I’ve got details on them all.
From a look at the upcoming men’s and women’s FA Cup Finals to the historic Indy 500 and a lightning guide to the French Open in Paris, this handbook will see you through the whole month of May. Plus, I’ll explain why bet365, with its excellent welcome bonus and market-leading odds, should be your go-to online bookmaker, whatever your favourite sports.
May 2025 betting calendar
Before I jump into a more detailed look at action from all of the top sports this month, this handy calendar gives you a quick overview of the major events:
| Sport | Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golf | US PGA | May 15th-18th | Quail Hollow, North Carolina |
| Football | FA Cup Final | May 17th | Wembley Stadium |
| Table Tennis | World Championships | May 17th-25th | Doha, Qatar |
| Multi-sports | World Masters Games | May 17th-30th | Taipei, Taiwan |
| Ice hockey | Stanley Cup finals | May – ongoing | USA/ Canada |
| Tennis | French Open | May 19th – June 8th | Roland Garros, Paris |
| Formula 1one | Monaco Grand Prix | May 23rd | Monte Carlo |
| Auto racing | Indy 500 | May 26th | Indianapolis |
| Football | UEFA Champions League | May 31st | Allianz Arena, Germany |
⚽️ Football – FA Cup and UEFA finals
May is set to be a scintillating month for footie fans, with finals of major competitions running across both the men’s and women’s games.
FA Cup Final
The men’s FA Cup Final is the culmination of the whole season and will see Crystal Palace take on Man City.
- When: 17th May
- Where: Wembley Stadium, London
UEFA Europa League Final
The UEFA League Final is an all-English affair as Tottenham takes on rivals Manchester United in Spain.
- When: 21st May
- Where: San Mamés Stadium, Bilbao
UEFA Champions League final
The final of the 2024/2025 season will see Paris Saint-Germain take on Inter Milan in Germany. PSG are slim favorites, but this is a match that could go the distance and beyond!
- When: 31st May
- Where: Allianz Arena, Germany
Women’s FA Cup Final
It’ll be a battle of the reds and blues as Chelsea and Man United square off in the Women’s FA Cup Final. Chelsea are favorites and have already clinched major victories, but Man U should never be counted out.
- When: May 18th
- Where: Wembley Arena, London
🎾 Tennis – Roland Garros French Open
The second of the year’s Grand Slams kicks off in Paris on May 25th. Spanish players have historically done very well on the clay at Paris, but Britain’s Jack Draper has been making serious progress recently and is now ranked world number four. World number one, Jannik Sinner, will also be hoping for triumph after returning from a three-month suspension.
On the women’s side of the draw, world number one Sabalenka is in dominant form but Gauff and Swiatek are also strong contenders.
- When: 25th May – 8th June
- Where: Stade Roland Garros, Paris
⛳️ Golf – PGA Championship and US Women’s Open
PGA Championship
The annual golf tournament, the only major exclusively for professional players, tees off in Charlotte later this month. Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy are the top favorites, but poor weather could impact how the course plays.
- When: May 15th – May 18th
- Where: Quail Hollow Club
US Women’s Open
The second major championship of the women’s season gets underway on May 29th at a new course in Erin Hills. American World Number One Nelly Korda is the player to beat. However, defending champion Yuka Saso and Brit Charley Hull will be aiming for an upset.
- When: May 29th – June 1st
- Where: Erin Hills, Wisconsin
🏇 Horse racing – global events
The month of May is full of premium horse racing events from around the world. There’ll be regular flat and jump meetings from Newmarket, Chelmsford and Stratford-Upon-Avon and the Dante Stakes from York racecourse (14th and 16th May).
Globally, there are also major races, including:
- Preakness Stakes – May 17th at Pimlico Race Course
- Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) – May 25th at Tokyo racecourse
🏒 Ice hockey – Conference Finals
The NHL Conference Finals will begin in late May once the final second-round games have been played. The Conference Finals include the best teams from the Eastern and Western Conferences in a best-of-seven series.
🏀 Basketball – NBA playoffs
The NBA semi-finals continue apace as teams shoot towards a place in the Conference Finals and ultimately the NBA Finals. Just a few of the five-star match-ups we can look forward to are:
- Indiana Pacers v Cleveland Cavaliers – May 18th
- Denver Nuggets v Oklahoma City Thunder – May 18th
- New York Knicks v Boston Celtics – May 20th
- Golden State Warriors v Minnesota Timberwolves – May 21st
🥊 Boxing – WBA Intercontinental Heavyweight
Johnny Fisher v Dave Allen II
Fisher and Allen first met in December 2024, when a controversial decision saw Fisher snatch a split-decision victory. The match result was heavily debated, so you can expect this rematch to be a hot topic. It could also be part of either fighter’s road to a possible World Champion title.
- When: May 17th
- Where: Copper Box Arena, London
🏎️ Formula One – Emilia Romagna and Monaco Grand Prix
The 2025 F1 season is accelerating hard as we drive into May. Oscar Piastri is out in front in the rankings, but Lando Norris and Max Verstappen are very much in his rear view mirror.
The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix takes place on the 16th May and is followed by the famous Monaco Grand Prix on the 23rd May. Leclerc is the reigning champion there and will be hoping for a repeat performance.
🏍️ Motor Racing – Indy 500
The 109th Indy 500 will see 33 racers complete 200 laps on the iconic course. Kyle Larson is aiming for a historical double this year by competing in the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
- When: May 25th
- Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Bet on the best May sports with bet365
Whether you love football or Formula One, hockey or horse racing, bet365 makes a great base for your sports wagers. The odds are competitive and the markets are extensive. Plus, the bet365 sign up bonus offers free bet credits when you make a qualifying deposit and wager. The exact details of the welcome bonus vary by location, but you can check the banners on this page for the details on promos for your region.
Conclusion – bet365 has it all this May
May is a fantastic month for action across a diverse range of sports and you can jump right in by using the banners on this page to go to the bet365 welcome deal for your home region. Make sure to read through the terms and conditions thoroughly to guarantee you meet the qualifying deposit and wager limits.
You’ll discover more guides to the latest sporting news on the OddsPortal site and the latest odds, insights and predictions for all major sporting competitions. Come back soon to find out more.