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LAS VEGAS, Nev – Circa Sports’ record-breaking pro football contests continue to build momentum ahead of the 2026 NFL season, with more than 19,000 entries already registered across its three no-rake contests.
Ultimate Contest Weekend took place from August 27-August 29 this year. Featuring parties across the property, a live Radio Row, the Circa Football Preview featuring Mike Palm and more, the event drew 3,464 entries during the weekend. In total, 2,713 Circa Survivor entries, 744 Circa Million VIII entries and 7 Circa Grandissimo entries were made. Friday, August 28, became the second-biggest day ever for contest entries, only trailing Wednesday, September 3, 2025, which was the Wednesday before the deadline in 2025.
“It is pretty stunning to consider that less than a decade ago that our “contest weekend” was a handful of radio stations and a panel with about 40 people in attendance,” said Mike Palm, VP of Operations at Circa Resort & Casino, the D and Golden Gate. “As our contest payouts have gone from a few million dollars to $30 million guaranteed and pacing toward $40 million total, our contest weekend is now three days of programming that includes 40+ radio stations and podcasts, a winners’ dinner, a meet and greet at BarCanada, a Stadium Swim day, a shootout blackjack tournament that had 86 participants and a panel with hundreds in attendance and thousands watching via stream.”
After the weekend, Circa Survivor has officially surpassed the 16,000-entry milestone with 16,391 entries. While the guarantee is set at a $20 million prize pool currently, the contest is on pace to soar over that number to yet again break records. Circa Million VIII currently sits at 3,800 entries toward its $6 million guarantee. The ultra-high stakes Circa Grandissimo, featuring a $100,000 entry fee, currently stands at 38 entries with a guaranteed $4 million prize pool. Together, the three contests offer $30 million in guaranteed prizes, with registration remaining open through Saturday, Sept. 12.
Last year, five winners of Circa Survivor, who all went 20-0 during the 2025-2026 season, took home the largest prize pot in history of $18,718,000, with each winning entry receiving $3,743,600. $6.9 million was split between Circa Grandissimo winners and $1 million was prized to the Circa Million VII winner.
Contestants and football fans can get an inside look at the drama behind Circa Sports’ contests through the third season of its original docuseries, “Circa Survivor: The Quest for $18.7M.” Produced by Farra | Foxdog Productions, the seven-episode series chronicles the unforgettable 2025-2026 contest season, following the strategies, personalities, shocking eliminations and high-stakes decisions that led to these massive wins. New episodes are released Wednesdays on VSiN’s YouTube channel, with additional distribution across MSG Network, NESN, SportsNet Pittsburgh, Game+ in Canada, Right Now TV, Ryz Sports Network and Unbeaten Sports.
Sign-ups and entries for both contests can be made once the contests open at any of the following Nevada Circa Sports locations in Las Vegas and Sparks:
Circa Resort & Casino
the D Las Vegas
Silverton Casino Lodge
Tuscany Suites & Casino
Legends Bay in Sparks, NV
Bettors can sign-up for the contests at any of these Circa Sports Nevada locations, and entries for bettors outside of Nevada can register a proxy to submit picks from within the state.
For contest rules and information, visit circasports.com.
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About Circa Sports
Helmed by casino owner and downtown Las Vegas developer Derek Stevens, Circa Sports is blazing a trail in sports betting by combining a customer-first approach to business with a team of the country's top oddsmakers. Based in Las Vegas, Circa Sports boasts one of the most competitive wagering menus in the country and is a leader in the industry for sports futures. The venture currently offers physical betting locations in the world’s largest sportsbook at Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, along with four additional southern Nevada locations; a book in Legends Bay Casino in Sparks, Nev; a brick-and-mortar book in American Place in Waukegan, Ill; and Kentucky’s largest sportsbook at The Mint Gaming Hall Kentucky Downs in Franklin. Its mobile offerings are currently available in Nevada, Illinois, Kentucky, Iowa, Colorado, and Missouri. For more information, visit CircaSports.com.
