Welcome to this comprehensive guide to betting on the French Cup. This prestigious national tournament brings together clubs from all levels of football, and it’s incredibly popular among bettors who often spot surprises – just like Rennes’ unexpected victory in 2019.
The 5 Best Choices for Betting on the French Cup
Anyone familiar with French football knows that recent years have been dominated by Paris Saint-Germain. The same trend is evident in the French Cup, though with occasional upsets that we’ll explore later. For now, let’s take a look at the top five international betting sites for placing bets on the French Cup. These platforms were chosen based on strict criteria, and they all offer this competition in their sportsbook.
Top 5 Online Bookmakers for the French Cup
| Bookmaker | Rating | Welcome Bonus | Visit Site |
| Ivibet | 5/5 | Up to $1,000 | Visit Website |
| Velobet | 4.5/5 | Up to $500 | Visit Website |
| BDMbet | 4.5/5 | Up to $400 | Visit Website |
| Fat Pirate | 4/5 | Up to $1,000 | Visit Website |
| Sportaza | 4/5 | Up to $500 | Visit Website |
The table above shows our top five operators for betting on the French Cup, including their ratings, welcome bonuses, and direct links to their platforms. As you can see, these include some of the most reputable international betting brands, ready to offer a solid experience for punters.
The 4 Key Criteria for Choosing the Best Betting Sites for the French Cup
Determining the best sites for betting on the French Cup isn’t easy, as each bettor has unique preferences. However, we used four essential criteria that cover most needs:
- Competitive payout rates and odds
- Special promotions focused on the French Cup
- Comprehensive live betting section and live streaming options
- Variety of pre-match and live markets, including mobile app usability
Payouts and promotional offers are economic indicators, directly influencing potential winnings. Meanwhile, the live section’s quality and number of markets impact the overall betting experience. All the platforms we reviewed are licensed and regulated.
Payouts on French Cup Matches
Among all the criteria, payouts are the most visible and decisive. Calculated using the standard “bookmaker margin” method, payouts reflect the actual percentage of the stake returned as winnings. We calculated the minimum and maximum payout ranges offered by the bookmakers in our Top 5 across popular markets (e.g., 1X2, Goal/No Goal) and niche options.
Minimum and Maximum Payout Rates for the French Cup
| Bookmaker | Payout Range (%) |
| Ivibet | 92.9 – 94.4% |
| Velobet | 92.7 – 94.3% |
| BDMbet | 92.2 – 93.9% |
| Fat Pirate | 93.8 – 94.9% |
| Sportaza | 92.8 – 94.2% |
The results are impressive: no operator drops below 90%, which means consistently generous winnings. Some even reach over 94%, confirming the French Cup as a great tournament for rewarding bets. For comparison, these numbers are on par with those of the German DFB Pokal.
Exclusive Promotions for Bigger Wins
Another important factor in choosing the best betting sites for the French Cup is the availability of dedicated promotions. Although not very common, promotions often appear around the time of the final, offering boosted odds or cash bonuses to encourage more bets and increase potential winnings.
Some operators—such as those known for advanced betting options like betting exchanges—have offered enhanced odds promotions during key matches. For example, a promotion during the 2019 final between Rennes and PSG boosted returns for bettors backing Rennes—who went on to win.
Don’t expect as many promotions as you’d see with larger international tournaments, but especially during semifinals and finals, top bookmakers tend to roll out special offers.
Live Betting on the French Cup
Now let’s move on to aspects directly related to gameplay experience. Live betting is an unstoppable trend, and the French Cup is no exception. Leading operators offer dozens of markets with competitive live odds (often slightly lower than pre-match). A reliable live score system is essential—and even better if it comes with streaming.
Hundreds of Markets for More Variety
Top-tier teams only join the competition at the Round of 64, where they often face lower-division clubs. In such mismatches, standard markets like 1X2 may not be very attractive. That’s why a wide variety of betting options is crucial.
With more than 100 markets typically available per match, bettors can customize their slips for maximum fun. Popular formats like combo bets and alternative totals become viable, offering great value on uneven matchups—similar to what you might find in Spain’s Copa del Rey.
Most Popular Betting Markets for the French Cup
Picture yourself at a sports bar watching Lyon vs. Marseille on the big screen—it’s easy to pull out your phone and place a quick bet. But which market to choose? Here are six of the most popular match and futures betting options for this tournament:
Single Match Betting – French Cup
Single bets are by far the most common. Leading bookmakers like Velobet and BDMbet offer well over 100 types of single-match bets. For a fixture like PSG vs. Strasbourg, where PSG are heavy favorites, combining markets in systems or accumulators is popular. The 1X2, Goal/No Goal, and Over/Under 2.5 are among the go-to markets.
1X2 Market – The Classic Bet
1 – 32.25%
X – 11.29%
2 – 56.46%
Betting on the match winner is the most intuitive and widely played football bet. Ligue 1 giants usually dominate, but early rounds are known for surprises. The home team is randomly drawn, adding unpredictability. In the 2019/20 edition, away wins were dominant, with very few draws (as tied games go into extra time and penalties).
Goal/No Goal Market – Based on Team Balance
Goal – 54.83%
No Goal – 45.17%
Given the participation of teams from all divisions, Goal/No Goal bets can be intriguing. One-sided matches like Linas vs. PSG (0–6) are exceptions. In 2019/20, “Goal” occurred in almost 55% of matches (34 of 62 games).
Over/Under 2.5 Goals – Expect Goals Galore
Over – 66.13%
Under – 33.87%
Applying the classic 2.5 goal threshold, Over/Under bets are perfect for lopsided matchups. In 2019/20, scorelines like 6–0 and 5–1 were common, with Over 2.5 hitting in more than two-thirds of matches.
Futures Betting – Final Outcomes in the French Cup
Now let’s switch to futures markets, such as predicting the tournament winner or top scorer. These are popular with experienced punters but accessible to all.
Who Will Win the French Cup?
Top teams often dominate, but surprises do happen. PSG won the 2019/20 final against Saint-Étienne, but lost on penalties to Rennes the year before. Although favorites usually prevail, upsets add betting excitement.
Who Will Reach the Final?
Backing PSG to reach the final is usually a safe—though low-return—option. In 2019/20, they returned to the final and claimed revenge over Rennes. Saint-Étienne reached the final after defeating Rennes in the semis.
Top Scorer Market
This market is tough, as top clubs often rotate their squads. In 2019/20, PSG’s Pablo Sarabia scored 7 goals to lead the table, despite limited minutes in the final. In 2018/19, it was Tunisia’s Naïm Sliti (Dijon) who surprised everyone.
Effective Betting Strategies for the French Cup
Are there smart strategies for betting on the French Cup? Definitely. The key lies in preparation: big teams usually enter at the Round of 64 and often field second-string players, making upsets more likely.
A good example is Marseille narrowly beating fifth-tier Trélissac on penalties in 2019/20. Futures like Top Scorer are unpredictable. Instead, high-risk markets like Over 5.5 goals can offer value in mismatched games.
French Cup Overview
| Name | French Cup |
| Location | Paris |
| First Edition | 1918 |
| Teams | 64 (5,380 including early rounds) |
| Format | Single-elimination knockout |
| Duration | September – April |
| Most Titles | Paris SG (13), Marseille (10) |
The French Cup is the second most prestigious club competition in France, after the league. It has been held since 1918 and includes clubs from all levels of French football. The tournament features 14 knockout rounds in single-leg format. Ligue 1 teams join in the Round of 64.
The winner qualifies directly for the UEFA Europa League group stage. The first champion was Olympique Paris, while Olympique Marseille was the first club to win 10 titles. The final is always held in Paris or its surroundings, and since 1998 it has taken place at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.
Most Successful Teams
Paris Saint-Germain holds the record with 13 trophies, including four consecutive wins from 2015 to 2018. Marseille follows with 10, and Saint-Étienne and Lille each have six. PSG are also the defending champions, having won the 2019/20 edition. The 2021 final was scheduled for April.
Key Clubs to Watch in the French Cup
If you’re planning to bet on the French Cup, it’s important to know which teams traditionally perform well. While PSG is an obvious mention, several other clubs also have strong histories in the tournament.
Paris SG – With stars like Neymar, Mbappé, and Icardi, PSG is the dominant force in French football. They are the current champions with 13 titles.
Olympique Marseille – Once home to legends like Cantona and Papin, Marseille remains PSG’s main domestic rival, though their last French Cup win was over three decades ago.
Saint-Étienne – This historic club came close in 2019/20 but fell 1–0 to PSG in the final. Their last victory dates back to 1976/77.
Rennes – The surprise winners of the 2018/19 edition, Rennes defeated PSG in the final and reached the semifinals again in 2019/20.
Olympique Lyon – Known for developing young talent, Lyon has five French Cups and is always a contender.
A Tournament with Betting Potential
That wraps up our journey through the French Cup betting landscape. We’ve covered top bookmakers, markets, stats, strategies, clubs, and players. This competition is unpredictable and full of drama—perfect for those who love a betting challenge!
Final Thoughts
“Never underestimate your opponent, even if you’ve crushed them in the league. They’ll come back stronger.” — A reminder from seasoned players to always respect the game.
FAQ
What are the best bookmakers for the French Cup?
It depends on your preferences—some value market variety, others prioritize user experience. Based on key criteria, we listed the top 5 French Cup bookmakers, led by Ivibet and Velobet.
What are the most popular single match bets?
On average, top operators offer 100+ single match markets for the French Cup. The three most common ones are Match Winner (1X2), Goal/No Goal, and Over/Under, especially based on 2019/20 stats.
How does the French Cup work?
It’s one of Europe’s most inclusive tournaments, starting with over 5,000 teams. Matches are single-leg knockouts, with extra time and penalties in case of draws. The final takes place at the Stade de France.
Can I bet live on French Cup matches?
Absolutely. Live betting is supported by all top sites offering the French Cup. Live experience quality is a crucial evaluation criterion—alongside markets, payouts, and exclusive promos.
