The Best Side Contests to Run Alongside Your Fantasy Football League
The best side contests for fantasy leagues are Pick'em pools (weekly predictions with confidence points), Survivor pools (one pick, one life), Bankroll contests (chip-based betting leaderboards), and Squares (game-night grids). Run all of them in one ValueBet club for free.
Your fantasy league keeps the hardcore fans engaged, but what about everyone else? Side contests give every member additional reasons to care about NFL Sundays — especially the ones whose fantasy season ended in October.
Pick'em Pools: The Universal Side Contest
Every member picks game winners and ranks by confidence. No rosters, no waivers. Takes 5 minutes per week and creates a completely separate leaderboard. The fantasy team owner in last place might be leading Pick'em — that's what keeps them coming back.
Survivor Pools: Maximum Drama, Minimum Effort
One pick per week. Get it wrong and you're eliminated. Each team used only once. Survivor pools create a parallel competition with entirely different strategic considerations. Members who are out of fantasy contention stay locked in through Survivor.
Bankroll Contests: For the Betting Enthusiasts
Distribute chips and let members bet against live NFL lines all season. The leaderboard tracks chip profit and loss. This is the side contest for group members who already bet on sports individually — now they compete against each other instead.
Squares: Game-Night Events
Run Squares grids for primetime games, playoff matchups, or the Super Bowl. Squares require zero sports knowledge and engage members who don't follow football closely. Perfect for watch parties and one-off events.
Add side contests to your fantasy league — create your free club on ValueBet.
Create your free club →FAQ
How many side contests should I run?
Start with Pick'em — it has the broadest appeal. Add Survivor or Bankroll once your group is comfortable with the platform.
Do side contests replace fantasy?
No — they complement it. Run everything in the same ValueBet club alongside your existing fantasy platform.
Will members feel overwhelmed?
Each contest is optional. Members join the ones that interest them. Pick'em takes 5 minutes/week, Survivor takes 1 minute.
Is there extra cost for multiple contests?
No — ValueBet lets you run unlimited contest types in one club for free.