Iceland, famous for its stunning natural landscapes of volcanoes and geysers, has also captured the imagination of football fans thanks to its national team’s memorable performance at Euro 2016 — and of course, the iconic “Viking Clap.” In this guide, we dive into betting on the Úrvalsdeild, Iceland’s top football league.
Top 5 Bookmakers for Betting on Úrvalsdeild
Though it’s a minor league in UEFA’s rankings (currently 46th), the Úrvalsdeild is featured on the betting menus of many major operators. After careful analysis, we’ve selected five of the best betting sites for placing wagers on Iceland’s premier football competition:
| Bookmaker | Rating | Welcome Bonus | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|
| William Hill | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Up to $59 | Visit Site |
| Betway | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | Up to $428 | Visit Site |
| Sisal | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | Up to $268 | Visit Site |
| bwin | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Up to $589 | Visit Site |
| Eurobet | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Up to $1,078 | Visit Site |
These are major players in the European betting market, demonstrating that competitiveness among operators often shines through in smaller leagues. The table above highlights each site’s rating, welcome bonus, and direct access link.
How We Chose the Best Úrvalsdeild Betting Sites
We focused on meeting the needs of all types of bettors — from those who value high odds to those who prefer a user-friendly interface. Here are the four core criteria used:
- Competitive payouts and odds
- Special promotions for Úrvalsdeild matches
- Live betting features and streaming availability
- Wide range of markets pre-match and in-app
The first two factors are economically driven — maximizing potential winnings — while the others enhance the overall betting experience.
Understanding Potential Winnings: Payout Analysis
To boost your chances of success (or fund that dream trip to Iceland), choosing a bookmaker with high payouts is essential. Payout refers to the percentage of money returned to players from the total betting pool.
| Bookmaker | Payout Range |
| William Hill | 92.2% – 94.1% |
| Betway | 91.3% – 94.1% |
| Sisal | 90.7% – 94.1% |
| bwin | 91.2% – 93.9% |
| Eurobet | 89.9% – 94.1% |
Most of the operators in our top list maintain payout percentages over the psychological 90% threshold — with some exceeding 94%, signaling generous returns.
Are There Bonuses for Icelandic Football Matches?
While major leagues receive heavy promotion, Úrvalsdeild-specific bonuses remain rare. Occasionally, a cashback or enhanced odds promo might appear (e.g., Valur vs KR), but these are not yet frequent.
That said, standard promotions (like welcome bonuses) apply to Icelandic matches as well — and operators such as William Hill are known for creative offers across smaller leagues.
Live Betting on the Icelandic League
All top Úrvalsdeild bookmakers offer in-play betting on Iceland’s top matches. Given the two-hour time difference with Central Europe, following matches live is manageable. When assessing live sections, we considered:
- Market variety
- Payout levels
- Speed of live score updates
- User interface and graphic layout
- Streaming availability (offered by platforms like bwin)
Variety of Betting Markets Available
Bookmakers offer an average of 100+ betting markets per Úrvalsdeild match — a wide range that can be both exciting and overwhelming. Market diversity helps diversify your bet slips and find optimal odds.
For instance, in a mismatch like Stjarnan vs Grótta, you don’t have to stick to a low-value “1” (home win). Instead, explore markets like Asian Handicap or Winning Margin for higher returns.
Úrvalsdeild Betting Overview: Markets & Insights
To simplify things, we’ve grouped the most popular Úrvalsdeild markets into single match bets and outright (antepost) bets, just like we did for the MLS.
🎯 Single Match Markets
✅ 1X2 (Match Result)
Still the most popular market. Predicting the outcome of Icelandic matches (featuring lesser-known clubs like KR, FH, and Breiðablik) can be tricky. That’s where stats come in handy.
2019 Stats:
- Home Wins: 47.72%
- Draws: 25.00%
- Away Wins: 27.28%
⚽ Both Teams to Score (BTTS)
- BTTS – Yes: 65.9%
- BTTS – No: 34.1%
In line with the attacking nature of Nordic teams, BTTS is a high-frequency outcome.
🔢 Over/Under 2.5 Goals
- Over 2.5: 57.58%
- Under 2.5: 42.42%
With nearly 6 in 10 matches ending with 3+ goals, this is a great market for value seekers.
🏆 Outright (Antepost) Bets
👑 Tournament Winner
KR Reykjavík and Valur are the traditional giants of Icelandic football. In 2020, KR won their 27th title — 14 points clear of the second-place team.
⚠️ Relegation
Two teams drop to the 1. deild each season. In 2019, recently promoted teams ÍA and HK survived, while Grindavík and ÍBV were relegated.
🎯 Top Goalscorer
A challenging but potentially lucrative market. In 2019, Gary Martin (ÍBV) won the Golden Boot with 14 goals — despite his team being relegated.
Winning Strategies for Betting on the Icelandic Úrvalsdeild
When it comes to betting on the Úrvalsdeild, Iceland’s top football league, there’s no such thing as a 100% guaranteed strategy—just like with any form of gambling. Even the most sophisticated money management systems, such as fixed unit betting, won’t ensure that you multiply your initial stake. That said, there are still some smart approaches worth exploring.
The key is research: study the teams, their most influential players, and available statistics. The high frequency of goals in the Úrvalsdeild means you can confidently wager on high Over markets such as Over 4.5, or on both teams to score. The consistent dominance of clubs like KR Reykjavík, FH Hafnarfjörður, and Valur also opens opportunities for value through strategies like matched betting.
Úrvalsdeild at a Glance
| Category | Details |
| Name | Úrvalsdeild karla (Pepsi-deild karla) |
| Headquarters | Reykjavík |
| First Edition | 1912 |
| Teams | 12 |
| Format | Round-robin (home & away) |
| 2020 Season | June – December |
| Most Successful Clubs | KR Reykjavík (27 titles), Valur (22) |
The Úrvalsdeild karla is the premier division of Icelandic football, managed by the local Football Association (KSI). The 2020 season was the 109th edition—normally played between April and September, but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The league features 12 teams who each play 22 matches (home and away).
Also known as the Pepsi-deild due to sponsorship, the Úrvalsdeild never stopped, not even during the world wars, making it one of Europe’s longest-standing competitions. The league champions qualify for the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, while the second and third teams—as well as the national cup winner—enter the Europa League qualifiers. The bottom two are relegated to the 1. deild karla.
Historically, KR Reykjavík is the most decorated team, having won the first title in 1912 and securing 27 titles in total. They are followed by Valur (22), Fram Reykjavík, and ÍA Akraness (both with 18).
Five Clubs to Watch This Season
As of June 2020, the season was still wide open. If you’re planning to place outright bets (antepost), keep an eye on these five teams—the traditional powerhouses of Icelandic football:
KR Reykjavík
Founded in 1899, KR is Iceland’s most successful and longest-standing club. Their honors include 27 league titles, 14 national cups, 8 League Cups, and 3 Super Cups. They’ve also participated eight times in the UEFA Champions League.
Valur
Based in Reykjavík and established in 1911, Valur has 22 league titles, 11 national cups, 11 Super Cups, and 3 League Cups. The team’s nickname comes from the Icelandic word for “falcon.”
FH Hafnarfjörður
Despite being founded in 1929, FH only rose to prominence in the 2000s, winning 8 league titles between 2004 and 2016. They are one of the current title contenders.
Breiðablik
With a single title in 2010, Breiðablik has become a competitive force in recent years. Their trophy cabinet includes 1 Icelandic Cup and 2 League Cups.
Stjarnan
This club from Garðabær is best known for its creative goal celebrations. Stjarnan has one league title (2014), along with 1 Icelandic Cup and 2 Super Cups.
Final Thoughts
We’ve introduced you to the best bookmakers for betting on the Úrvalsdeild, broken down the most popular betting markets, and analyzed key teams and strategic angles. Now you’re fully equipped to dive into this fascinating championship and possibly profit from its unique characteristics.
Ready to feel the “Geyser Sound” and celebrate your winning bets?
