<p>Everything you need to know about betting on the 98th Academy Awards, from available markets to strategies for picking winners.</p> <p>The Academy Awards aren't just Hollywood's biggest night. They're also one of <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/novelties-and-entertainment">the most popular novelty bets</a> on the calendar. Punters have been betting on Oscar outcomes for decades, and the markets attract serious action every year.</p> <p>The 98th Academy Awards take place on March 15, 2026, with nominations dropping on January 23.</p> <p>That gives you plenty of time to study the contenders, follow the precursor awards, and find value before the odds tighten. Here's how Oscar betting works and what you need to know before having a punt.</p> <h2>When Are the 2026 Oscars?</h2> <p>The 98th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, March 15, 2026 (US time), at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.</p> <p>For Australian viewers, that translates to Monday, March 16, with the red carpet kicking off around 9am AEDT and the main ceremony starting at approximately 11am AEDT.</p> <p>Conan O'Brien returns as host for the second consecutive year after delivering strong ratings in 2025. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC in the US and carried by various networks internationally.</p> <p>Key dates to mark in your calendar:&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>nominations announcement on January 22, 2026</li> <li>the ceremony itself on March 15.</li> </ul> <p>The eligibility period covers films released theatrically between January 1 and December 31, 2025.</p> <h2>Oscar Betting Markets Explained</h2> <p>You can find <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/novelties-and-entertainment/academy-awards/98th-academy-awards-9003094">Oscars odds</a> across all the major award categories. The big six attract the most attention and liquidity, but markets often extend to technical categories and specialty awards as well.</p> <h3>Best Picture</h3> <p>The main event. Best Picture is the final award of the night and typically the most heavily bet market. Up to ten films can be nominated, though the Academy uses a preferential voting system that usually results in eight to ten nominees.</p> <p>Paul Thomas Anderson's 'One Battle After Another' is the clear frontrunner heading into awards season.</p> <h3>Best Director</h3> <p>Best Director and Best Picture often align, but not always. The Academy sometimes splits these awards to honour different films.</p> <p>Five directors receive nominations, and the winner usually helmed one of the Best Picture frontrunners. Paul Thomas Anderson is chasing his first directing Oscar after three previous nominations.</p> <h3>Best Actor and Best Actress</h3> <p>The lead acting categories attract plenty of attention from punters. Five performers are nominated in each category, and the precursor awards (particularly SAG) serve as strong indicators.</p> <p>Timothee Chalamet leads the Best Actor market for 'Marty Supreme', while Jessie Buckley is the favourite for Best Actress for her role in 'Hamnet'. Australian Rose Byrne is also in the mix for 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You'.</p> <h3>Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress</h3> <p>Supporting categories can be trickier to predict. The line between lead and supporting isn't always clear, and category placement can shift during the campaign.</p> <p>Stellan Skarsgård and Ariana Grande currently lead their respective markets, though both races remain competitive.</p> <h2>How Oscar Voting Works</h2> <p>Understanding the voting process helps when assessing Oscar odds. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has over 10,000 members across various branches: actors, directors, writers, producers, cinematographers, and so on.</p> <p>For nominations, members vote within their own branch. Actors nominate actors, directors nominate directors.</p> <p>Best Picture is the exception, as all members can vote for it. The final round works differently. Every member can vote in every category, provided they've watched all the nominated films.</p> <p>That last part is a new rule for 2026, with the Academy now monitoring viewing activity through their screening platform.</p> <p>Best Picture uses ranked-choice voting, which means a film needs broad support across the membership to win. A movie that's everyone's second choice can beat a more polarising frontrunner. This is why consensus picks often triumph over divisive favourites.</p> <h2>Tips for Betting on the Oscars</h2> <p>The precursor awards tell you almost everything you need to know. The Golden Globes (January 11), Critics Choice Awards (January 4), BAFTAs (February 22), and SAG Awards (March 1) all provide valuable data points.</p> <p>If a film or performer sweeps these events, they're almost certain to take home the Oscar. <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/novelties/predictions-tips/oscars-2026">Check out our Oscar predictions</a> for detailed analysis of each category.</p> <p>Campaign momentum matters more than you might think. Studios spend millions promoting their contenders through screenings, Q&amp;As, and advertising.</p> <p>A well-run campaign can push a borderline nominee into the winner's circle, while a poorly managed one can sink a frontrunner.</p> <p>Genre biases exist. The Academy historically favours dramas over comedies, biopics over genre films, and serious fare over blockbusters. That said, recent years have seen more diversity in winners. Keep an eye on which films generate genuine passion among voters rather than just respect.</p> <p>Early value is your friend. Odds compress as we get closer to the ceremony and the picture becomes clearer. If you fancy a contender, backing them before the nominations announcement often delivers better prices than waiting until March.</p> <h2>FAQs</h2> <h3>When are the 2026 Oscar nominations announced?</h3> <p>Oscar nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on Thursday, January 22, 2026.</p> <h3>Can I bet on the Oscars before nominations come out?</h3> <p>Yes. Markets typically open months before the ceremony, allowing punters to back contenders based on early buzz, festival reception, and critical acclaim. Betting early can offer better value if you identify winners before the odds shorten.</p> <h3>What time do the Oscars start in Australia?</h3> <p>The 2026 Oscars ceremony is expected to begin around 11am AEDT on Monday, March 16. The red carpet coverage typically starts a couple of hours earlier.</p> <h3>Who is hosting the 2026 Oscars?</h3> <p>Conan O'Brien will host the 98th Academy Awards, returning for his second consecutive year after a well-received debut in 2025.</p> <h3>What other entertainment events can I bet on?</h3> <p>Beyond the Oscars, you can bet on a range of awards shows and entertainment events. Check out our <strong>Grammy predictions</strong> for music's biggest night, or explore other novelty markets throughout the year.</p>