Legal – online onlyMinimum age 21
| UFC betting status | Legal – online only |
|---|---|
| Launched | November 1, 2020 |
| Minimum age | 21 |
| Regulator | Tennessee Sports Wagering Council |
| Licensed apps (examples) | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, Fanatics Sportsbook |
| Time zone | Central Time |
| State tax on winnings | No state income tax |
Is UFC Betting Legal in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Sports Gaming Act passed in 2019 and apps launched on November 1, 2020. The Sports Wagering Council oversees operators. Since 2023, Tennessee has taxed operators on total handle rather than revenue. East Tennessee uses Eastern Time; the rest of the state is on Central.
How to Bet on UFC in Tennessee
- Pick a licensed app. Use one of the sportsbooks approved by Tennessee Sports Wagering Council. Licensed apps hold your money under state rules and must pay out.
- Sign up and verify. You’ll confirm your name, date of birth and the last digits of your SSN. You must be 21 or older.
- Turn on location. You can open an account from anywhere, but you must be physically inside Tennessee when you place a bet. The app checks this with geolocation.
- Deposit. Debit card, online banking/ACH, PayPal or similar. Set a deposit limit in the app now, not later.
- Find the fight. Go to MMA or “UFC” in the sports menu. Every fight on the card has a moneyline; bigger fights add method-of-victory, round and distance props.
- Place the bet and track it. Most apps offer live odds between rounds. Winnings land in your balance once the result is official.
Licensed UFC Betting Apps in Tennessee
DraftKings
FanDuel
BetMGM
Caesars Sportsbook
Fanatics Sportsbook
Availability changes as licenses are issued or surrendered. Check the regulator’s official licensee list before you sign up. We don’t take payment for placement on this page.
What Time Does UFC Start in Tennessee?
Most UFC cards are scheduled on US Eastern Time. Here’s what a standard card looks like in Tennessee (Central Time). Our automatic event posts list exact times for every card during fight week.
| Numbered UFC event (US-based) | Tennessee (winter) | Tennessee (summer) |
|---|---|---|
| Early prelims | Sat 4:00 PM | Sat 4:00 PM |
| Prelims | Sat 6:00 PM | Sat 6:00 PM |
| Main card | Sat 8:00 PM | Sat 8:00 PM |
UFC in Tennessee
Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena has hosted UFC Fight Nights.
Taxes on UFC Betting Winnings in Tennessee
All gambling winnings are taxable federal income. Licensed sportsbooks send a W-2G for larger wins and report them to the IRS. Tennessee has no state income tax, so there’s no extra state tax on winnings. Keep your betting history. Recent federal changes affect how much of your losses you can deduct, so check with a tax professional if you bet regularly.
UFC Bet Types to Start With
- Moneyline: pick the winner. The simplest bet and the best place to start.
- Method of victory: KO/TKO, submission or decision. Higher payouts, harder to hit.
- Total rounds (over/under): will the fight go past 1.5 or 2.5 rounds?
- Goes the distance: yes/no on a decision.
- Parlays: combine fights for a bigger payout; every leg must win.
New to it? Read our UFC betting beginner’s guide and all state and country guides.
UFC Fight Week in Tennessee: A Bettor’s Timeline
- Early in fight week: odds settle. Opening lines usually post days or weeks ahead, but they move most in the final week. With 5 licensed apps in Tennessee, compare prices before you bet; the same fighter can be priced differently on each app.
- Thursday–Friday: press conferences and weigh-ins. Official weigh-ins are usually Friday morning US time. Missed weight, injuries and late replacements move lines more than anything else.
- Saturday: fight night. For a numbered UFC event in the US, early prelims start around Saturday 4:00 PM, prelims around Saturday 6:00 PM and the main card around Saturday 8:00 PM Central Time. The main event walkout usually comes two to three hours after the main card starts.
- After the fights: settlement. Bets settle once results are official. Keep a record of wins and losses; winnings are federal taxable income (Tennessee has no state income tax).
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Tennessee
- Betting from near a state line. Apps use geolocation. Close to Kentucky or Virginia, your phone may be placed outside Tennessee and your bet blocked. Turn on location services and use Wi-Fi.
- Ignoring the age rule. You must be 21+, and apps verify your identity before you can withdraw.
- Chasing big parlays. Multi-fight parlays look attractive but every extra leg adds the bookmaker’s margin.
- Skipping limits. Set deposit and time limits in the app before fight night, not after a losing main card.
FAQ
Is UFC betting legal in Tennessee?
How old do you have to be to bet on UFC in Tennessee?
Can I bet on UFC on my phone in Tennessee?
What time does the UFC main card start in Tennessee?
UFC Betting Guides for Nearby States
Source: Tennessee Sports Wagering Council. Information is general guidance, not legal advice. Always confirm with the regulator.
