Top Public NFL Survivor Pools (2025 Season)
NFL survivor pools, also known as knockout or elimination pools, are contests where participants pick one NFL team each week to win their game outright, without considering point spreads. If the selected team wins, the participant advances; if the team loses or ties, the participant is typically eliminated. A key rule is that each team can only be picked once per season, requiring strategic planning to save strong teams for later weeks. Below is a list of publicly available NFL survivor pools for the 2024-2025 season, based on available information, with a brief description of each. Note that some pools may have specific eligibility requirements, such as age (21+) or geographic restrictions, and some details (e.g., prize pools or entry fees) may change, so always check the official rules before joining.
Publicly Available NFL Survivor Pools
DraftKings Pro Football Survivor Pool
- Description: One of the largest online NFL survivor pools, with nearly 600,000 entrants in 2024. Participants pick one team per week to win, with a maximum of 150 entries per user. The last contestant standing wins, or the prize is split if multiple remain after Week 18. Features a $1.5 million main event pool with a $100 entry fee, a $100,000 Mini NFL Survivor Pool with a $10 entry fee, and a free $30,000 pool (one entry per user).
- Prize: Up to $1.5 million (main event), $100,000 (mini pool), or $30,000 (free pool).
- Entry Fee: $100 (main event), $10 (mini pool), or free for the $30,000 pool.
- How to Join: Sign up via DraftKings’ website or app before the weekly deadline (Sundays at 1:00 p.m. ET).
BetMGM Football Survivor Pool Challenge presented by Buffalo Wild Wings
- Description: A free-entry pool open to new and existing BetMGM sportsbook users. Participants select one team per week to win, with no team reusable. The last remaining entrant after Week 18 wins the grand prize. Not yet live for 2024 but expected to be available closer to the season start.
- Prize: $100,000 for the last entrant standing.
- Entry Fee: Free.
- How to Join: Register or log in to a BetMGM account and join via their platform.
USA TODAY Pro Football Survivor Pool
- Description: A free-to-enter pool where participants pick one team per week to win. If the team loses or ties, the participant is eliminated. Points are earned based on the game’s point differential, which serves as a tiebreaker. The pool is open to those 21+ in the U.S. (except Washington, D.C.) and Canada (except Quebec).
- Prize: $5,000 cash for the participant(s) with the longest survival and highest point differential.
- Entry Fee: Free.
- How to Join: Sign up via USA TODAY’s website before the first Sunday of the NFL season.
Covers $10K Pro Football Survivor Contest
- Description: A free contest where participants pick one team per week to win. If the team loses, the participant is out. A second-chance mini-game starting in Week 8 offers a $2,500 prize for those eliminated early. Open to those 21+ in regulated areas.
- Prize: $10,000 guaranteed grand prize; $2,500 for the second-chance pool.
- Entry Fee: Free.
- How to Join: Register on Covers’ website before the weekly deadline (Sundays at 12:59 p.m. ET).
ESPN Eliminator Challenge
- Description: A popular free survivor pool with a massive prize pool. Participants pick one team per week, with a maximum of 25 entries per user. The last standing entrant(s) split the prize. Known for its large participant base, making it highly competitive.
- Prize: $500,000 grand prize (five times larger than most competitors).
- Entry Fee: Free.
- How to Join: Sign up via ESPN’s website or app before the season starts.
Yahoo Survival Football Challenge
- Description: A free pool where participants can join public groups, create private groups, or play with friends. Pick one team per week to win; some custom contests allow a strike system for second chances. Highly popular with a user-friendly interface.
- Prize: Varies by group; public pools often offer significant prizes (e.g., $10,000 in past seasons).
- Entry Fee: Free (premium access may apply for certain features).
- How to Join: Register on Yahoo’s platform and join or create a group.
CBS Sports Football Pick’em
- Description: A free single-elimination survivor pool where participants select one team per week to win. With a large number of entrants, the margin for error is low. Open to those 21+ in eligible regions.
- Prize: $100,000 jackpot.
- Entry Fee: Free.
- How to Join: Sign up via CBS Sports’ website or app before the season’s first Sunday.
BetUS NFL Survivor Pools
- Description: Offers multiple tiers of survivor pools with varying entry fees ($10, $25, $50, $100, $500). Participants pick one team per week, with the prize pool growing as more join. Suitable for different budgets, with a total prize pool of over $56,000 in 2023.
- Prize: Varies by tier; total pool was $56,007 in 2023.
- Entry Fee: $10–$500, depending on the pool.
- How to Join: Sign up at BetUS and select a pool tier.
MyBookie NFL Survivor Contests
- Description: Features three contests: a $100,000 pool starting Week 1, a $50,000 pool starting Week 4, and a Crypto Week 8 pool (1 BTC prize, ~$27,000). Participants can have up to 10 entries per pool. Picks lock five minutes before kickoff, and missing a pick results in elimination.
- Prize: $100,000 (Week 1), $50,000 (Week 4), 1 BTC (Week 8).
- Entry Fee: $10 per entry.
- How to Join: Register at MyBookie and join the desired contest.
Splash Sports NFL Survivor Contests
- Description: Offers a variety of paid survivor pools with flexible rules, such as single or multi-entry and varying pick requirements (e.g., two teams per week in later rounds). Available in 33 states, including California, Florida, and Texas. Pools range from small entry fees to six-figure payouts.
- Prize: Up to $100,000, depending on the contest.
- Entry Fee: Varies (typically small fees, e.g., $10–$100).
- How to Join: Sign up via Splash Sports’ platform and select a contest.
Sleeper NFL Survivor Pools
- Description: A free-to-play pool launched in 2024, allowing participants to join public or private pools. Features customizable settings, such as unlimited lives or strikes, set by the commissioner. Participants pick one team per week, with the standard rule of not reusing teams.
- Prize: Varies by pool; public pools may offer cash or rewards.
- Entry Fee: Free (premium features may apply).
- How to Join: Create or join a pool via the Sleeper app or website.
MyOfficePool.ca Public Pools
- Description: Offers public survivor pools open to all registered members, with an entry fee for premium access. Participants pick one team per week to win, with no team reusable. Pools are operated by MyOfficePool.ca, with prize structures varying by contest.
- Prize: Varies based on pool size and entry fees.
- Entry Fee: Typically requires a premium access fee (free for private pools).
- How to Join: Register at MyOfficePool.ca and join a public pool.
Gridiron Games NFL Survivor Pool
- Description: A free platform to join or create survivor pools, with customizable rules like picking against the spread or double elimination. Participants pick one team per week, with options to join existing public pools or create private ones.
- Prize: Varies by pool (often set by the commissioner for private pools).
- Entry Fee: Free.
- How to Join: Sign up at Gridiron Games and join an existing pool or create one.
OfficePoolStop.com NFL Survivor Pool
- Description: A free platform hosting survivor pools (also called suicide, knockout, or elimination pools). Participants pick one team per week to win, with automatic elimination for missed picks or losses. Supports public and private pools with customizable settings.
- Prize: Varies by pool (set by the commissioner or platform).
- Entry Fee: Free.
- How to Join: Register at OfficePoolStop.com and join a public pool.
USA Football Pools NFL Survivor Pool
- Description: A flagship survivor pool format running since 2000. Participants pick one team per week, with automatic elimination for losses or missed picks. Features tools like auto-pick defaults and email invitations for easy pool management.
- Prize: Varies by pool (set by the commissioner or platform).
- Entry Fee: Free or as set by the pool commissioner.
- How to Join: Sign up at USAFootballPools.com and join a public pool.
Notes
- Availability: Some pools (e.g., DraftKings, BetMGM) may be restricted to regulated states or require in-person registration (e.g., Circa Survivor). Canadians may need a proxy for certain pools like Circa. Always verify eligibility on the platform’s website.
- Deadlines: Most pools require registration before the NFL season starts (first Sunday) or have weekly pick deadlines (e.g., Sundays at 1:00 p.m. ET). Late entries may be allowed in some pools but could reduce winning chances.
- Strategy Tip: Successful participation requires balancing immediate wins with saving strong teams for later weeks. Tools like Spreadwise offer customized picks and analytics to improve chances.
- Updates: Some pools (e.g., BetMGM) may not have 2024 details fully announced. Check platforms closer to the season start for updates.
- Prize Splits: If multiple participants survive all 18 weeks, prizes are typically split evenly, though tiebreakers like point differentials may apply (e.g., USA TODAY).
For the most current details, visit the respective websites (e.g., DraftKings, BetMGM, USA TODAY) or contact their support. If you need help finding a specific pool or want strategies for participating, let me know!
Which Survivor Pool Is Right for You?
Choosing the right survivor pool depends on your experience level, risk tolerance, and goals. Here's a breakdown to help you decide:
| Pool Type | Best For | Entry Fee | Prize Pool | Competition Level | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN Eliminator | Beginners, casual players | Free | $500,000 | High (massive field) | 25 entries max, user-friendly |
| DraftKings Pro | Serious players | $100 | $1.5M | Very High | Professional platform, analytics |
| Yahoo Survival | Social players | Free | Varies | Medium | Custom groups, strike options |
| Covers $10K | Value seekers | Free | $10,000 | Medium | Second-chance pool included |
| BetUS Tiered | Flexible budgets | $10-$500 | Varies | Medium-High | Multiple buy-in levels |
| USA TODAY | Point trackers | Free | $5,000 | Medium | Tiebreaker scoring system |
- For Beginners: Start with free pools like ESPN or Yahoo to learn strategy without financial risk. The large prize pools make even free entry worthwhile.
- For Experienced Players: Consider paid pools like DraftKings or BetUS where your strategy knowledge provides a bigger edge against casual players.
- For Social Groups: Yahoo and private pool platforms work best when playing with friends or coworkers who want customizable rules.
- For Maximum Value: Free pools with substantial prizes (ESPN's $500K) offer the best risk-reward ratio, though competition is fierce.
How Public Pools Handle Ties & Cancellations
Understanding tie and cancellation policies is crucial since weather delays and COVID-related postponements have become more common in recent NFL seasons.
Game Postponements
Most survivor pools handle postponed games consistently:
- 24-48 Hour Delays: Your pick usually remains valid and the pool waits for the rescheduled game
- Week-Long Delays: Games moved to future weeks typically result in your pick being voided, requiring a new selection
- Season Cancellations: Extremely rare, but most pools would eliminate participants who picked the affected team
Tie Games
NFL ties are uncommon but devastating in survivor pools:
- Standard Rule: Ties count as losses and eliminate participants (used by DraftKings, ESPN, most major pools)
- Alternative Handling: Some smaller pools treat ties as "pushes" where you advance but can't use that team again
- Tiebreaker Systems: USA TODAY uses point differential to break ties between survivors
Late Scratches & COVID
When key players are ruled out last-minute:
- No Pick Changes: Most pools lock picks before Sunday 1 PM ET regardless of injury news
- Emergency Protocols: Some pools implemented COVID-specific rules in 2020-2022, but these have largely been removed
- Weather Considerations: Severe weather games proceed as scheduled unless officially postponed by the NFL
Pro Tip: Always check each pool's specific rules for these scenarios before joining. What seems "obvious" can vary significantly between platforms.
Is It Better to Join Multiple Survivor Pools?
The multi-pool strategy has become increasingly popular among serious survivor players, but it requires careful consideration.
Advantages of Multiple Pools
- Diversified Risk: If you're eliminated early in one pool, you remain alive in others. This is especially valuable in free pools where the only cost is time.
- Different Strategies: You can test conservative picks in one pool while taking calculated risks in another, helping you learn optimal survivor strategy.
- Increased Expected Value: With massive prize pools in free contests, joining multiple pools with different pick strategies can improve your overall chances of cashing.
- Hedge Opportunities: Advanced players use multiple entries to "hedge" their picks, ensuring they advance in at least one pool even if their primary pick fails.
Disadvantages & Risks
- Time Management: Tracking multiple pools, deadlines, and pick strategies becomes complex fast. Missing a single pick in any pool means elimination.
- Analysis Paralysis: Too many options can lead to overthinking picks instead of sticking to sound strategy principles.
- Bankroll Management: For paid pools, entry fees add up quickly. A $100 DraftKings entry plus $50 in BetUS pools plus smaller fees elsewhere can strain budgets.
- Conflicting Strategies: What's optimal for a small pool might be terrible for a massive pool, leading to suboptimal decision-making.
Recommended Multi-Pool Approach
Beginner Strategy
- Start with 2-3 free pools (ESPN, Yahoo, Covers)
- Use the same conservative picks across all pools
- Focus on learning rather than maximizing entries
Intermediate Strategy
- Combine 1-2 free pools with 1 paid pool
- Use slightly different strategies: conservative in paid pools, more aggressive in free pools
- Maximum of 5 total entries across all platforms
Advanced Strategy
- Mix of free and paid pools based on expected value calculations
- Different pick strategies for each pool type
- Consider pool overlap when making picks (avoid being eliminated from all pools on the same week)
The Sweet Spot: Most successful survivor players recommend 3-5 total entries across 2-3 different platforms. This provides adequate diversification without becoming unmanageable.
Remember, the goal isn't just surviving longer – it's maximizing your expected return. Sometimes that means focusing intensely on one high-value pool rather than spreading yourself thin across many smaller contests.
What happens if I miss making a pick in my survivor pool?
Missing a pick in most public survivor pools results in automatic elimination, which is why it's crucial to understand each pool's specific deadline and backup policies. Most major pools like DraftKings, ESPN, and Yahoo have pick deadlines on Sundays at 1:00 PM ET, though some lock individual games when they kick off (Thursday Night Football, Monday Night Football, etc.).
However, a few pools offer safety nets. Some platforms allow you to set "auto-pick" defaults that will automatically select your highest-ranked available team if you forget to make a manual selection. Others, like certain Yahoo groups, may have commissioners who allow late picks under special circumstances, though this is rare in public pools with large prize pools.
The best strategy is to make your picks early in the week, ideally by Wednesday, and set calendar reminders for the deadline. If you're playing in multiple pools, create a simple spreadsheet tracking each pool's deadline, your current pick, and which teams you've already used. Missing a pick due to forgetfulness is one of the most preventable ways to get eliminated from an otherwise winnable pool.
Can I join a survivor pool after the NFL season has already started?
Most public survivor pools close registration before Week 1 of the NFL season, but there are notable exceptions that allow late entry with modified rules. For example, MyBookie offers survivor pools that start in Week 4 and Week 8, giving eliminated players second chances or allowing new participants to join mid-season with smaller fields and potentially better odds.
Late-entry pools typically work in one of two ways: either you automatically "inherit" the most popular pick from previous weeks (meaning you're assumed to have survived using chalk picks), or the pool simply starts fresh from whatever week you join. The second option is obviously more favorable since you're not penalized for teams that may have already lost.
However, late entry comes with significant strategic disadvantages. You'll have fewer quality teams available since the best options (Chiefs, Bills, 49ers, etc.) were likely used by smart players in early weeks. Additionally, late-entry pools often have smaller prize pools since fewer people join mid-season. Your best bet is to plan ahead and join your preferred pools during the preseason when you have maximum strategic flexibility and the largest prize pools available.
Are online survivor pools legal, and do I have to pay taxes on winnings?
Online survivor pools exist in a legal gray area that varies significantly by state and pool structure. Free-to-play pools like ESPN, Yahoo, and USA TODAY are generally legal nationwide since they don't require entry fees and are classified as promotional contests rather than gambling. Paid survivor pools fall under different regulations depending on whether they're considered games of skill versus games of chance.
Most major platforms like DraftKings and BetMGM operate only in states where they hold proper licensing for daily fantasy sports or sports betting. These regulated operators will provide tax documents (Form 1099-MISC) for winnings over $600 and are considered legitimate, legal contests in their operating jurisdictions. However, some smaller platforms may operate in legal gray areas or be restricted in certain states.
Regarding taxes, all survivor pool winnings are considered taxable income by the IRS, regardless of whether you receive a 1099 form. This includes both cash prizes and non-cash prizes (like trips or merchandise) valued at their fair market value. You're required to report this income on your tax return even from free pools. Keep detailed records of your entry fees (if any) as these can potentially be deducted as gambling losses, though you should consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation. The key is being aware that a $500,000 ESPN win isn't $500,000 in your pocket after taxes.
