When placing a football bet in the UK, you might assume that your wager will be settled once the final whistle blows. But sometimes, a football match doesn’t reach full-time.
If a game is stopped—whether due to safety issues, poor weather, or other disruptions—it may leave you wondering what happens to your bet. This guide explains how football betting usually works if a match is abandoned, especially if it has reached around the 75-minute mark.
You’ll learn what can cause a game to stop, how different types of bets might be affected, and why bookmaker rules can vary. If you're unfamiliar with sports betting, this breakdown offers a clear and straightforward explanation to help you better understand your options.
What Usually Causes a Game to Be Abandoned?
In professional football, matches are expected to run for 90 minutes plus added time. However, several real-world issues can stop a match from finishing.
Severe weather is a common cause. Heavy rain can flood the pitch. Fog can block visibility. Ice or snow can make conditions unsafe for players and officials. Sometimes, high winds may interfere with match equipment or corner flags, leading to a referee’s decision to pause or stop the game entirely.
Crowd-related problems may also lead to abandonment. If fans enter the pitch or pose a safety concern, the match can be halted. Medical emergencies involving players, coaches, staff, or even spectators may also require urgent attention and stop the game.
Another issue could be power failure. Stadium floodlights may cut out, especially in evening games. If lighting cannot be restored within a reasonable time, the referee might call the match off.
These decisions are usually made in line with rules set by the Football Association or the league governing the match. The referee, match officials, and security teams prioritise the wellbeing of everyone present.
Impact on Football Bets
If a match ends early, the way your bet is handled depends on your bookmaker’s rules and how far into the game the abandonment happened.
Some bookmakers settle bets if the match reaches a certain number of minutes. This point varies—some may count a match as official after 60, 70 or 75 minutes. There’s no universal standard across the UK. Each betting site or shop sets its own rules.
Let’s say you placed a bet on who you thought would win a match. If that match is called off after 75 minutes, one bookmaker might pay out based on the current score. Another bookmaker might cancel the bet completely and return your money. This cancelled outcome is known as a void bet.
Different bet types are handled in different ways. For example, if you placed a bet on the first goalscorer, and the match is abandoned after the first goal, some bookmakers may settle that bet. Others may not, depending on how much time was played and whether the result is considered official under their terms.
It’s important to understand that betting involves an element of chance. Outcomes can change unexpectedly during a match, and there’s no way to guarantee a specific result.
Do You Win, Lose or Get a Refund?
The outcome of your football bet after an abandoned match depends on two things: your bet type and your bookmaker’s rules.
Let’s break this down. If you placed a match result bet (for example, predicting which team you thought would win), and the game was stopped after 75 minutes, some bookmakers might settle the bet based on the current score. Others might void it and refund your stake.
If your bet was on a more detailed outcome—such as the exact final score, or total number of corners—bookmakers may need the full 90 minutes to settle that market. If the game is called off before full-time, your bet might be voided regardless of how much of the match has been played.
Betting exchanges, where you bet against other users rather than the bookmaker, often follow different procedures. They may void all markets if a match doesn't finish, even if 89 minutes were played. Again, it depends on the specific rules of the platform.
To understand exactly how your bet is affected, it helps to read through the rules section of the bookmaker or exchange you're using. If you're unsure, their customer service teams can usually explain how your bet has been handled.
Replay Decisions After 75 Minutes Played
If a football match is abandoned after more than 75 minutes, the decision on whether the match result stands—or if the game must be replayed—depends on the competition.
In some leagues, such as the English Premier League or Championship, if most of the game has already been played, the result at the time of abandonment may be allowed to stand. That decision lies with the league organisers. They’ll consider the reason for the abandonment and how much time was remaining.
Cup competitions, like the FA Cup or EFL Cup, may require a clear winner. In these cases, an abandoned match could be replayed entirely, or restarted from a particular point, depending on the competition’s rules. This can affect your bet too, especially if it’s settled based on the final result.
These decisions can take time and vary by event. It can be worth checking the official website of the competition, or waiting for your bookmaker to update your account once a ruling has been made.
Tips for Staying Informed On Abandoned Matches
If a football match you’ve bet on is abandoned, it can help to know how to stay up to date. The official competition website—such as the Premier League, FA Cup, or EFL—can provide updates on whether the match result will stand, or if a replay will be arranged. These decisions often depend on how far into the game the match was stopped and why.
Reputable sports news outlets can also give useful insight. Outlets like BBC Sport or Sky Sports usually report key details, including when and why a match was abandoned and what steps are being taken next. Following these sources can help you understand the wider picture, especially if you’re waiting to see how your bet might be affected.
It can also be helpful to follow teams or leagues on social media. Clubs usually issue official statements, especially if the abandonment involved serious incidents, like crowd safety or a medical emergency.
If you're unsure about your bet, it's best not to make assumptions. Instead, check directly with your bookmaker, as their decision on settlement may differ from others. This is particularly true if you use more than one platform to place bets.
How Online Bookmakers Notify Players
Most UK-licensed bookmakers aim to update customers as quickly as possible when a match doesn’t finish. If you have an online account, you may notice that affected bets are flagged within the ‘My Bets’ or ‘Bet History’ section. These bets may be marked as void (cancelled with your stake returned) or settled (paid out based on the result at the time of abandonment), depending on the site’s rules.
Some bookmakers may also send email updates to confirm the outcome. These emails usually explain whether your bet was refunded or paid out. If you’ve chosen to receive SMS alerts, you might get a text with a short update as well.
Each bookmaker handles things slightly differently. Some update accounts within minutes, while others may wait until the match organisers confirm the official result. This is especially common if there’s uncertainty about whether the game will be replayed.
If anything’s unclear, it can be worth contacting customer support. Most bookmakers offer live chat, email and phone support to explain bet settlements in more detail. Their FAQs section can also be helpful, especially if you're new to betting and want to understand how rules work for unusual outcomes like match abandonments.
Sports betting can be enjoyable for some people, but it's important to remember it involves real money and real risk. There’s no strategy that can guarantee a win, and outcomes depend on events beyond your control.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.