SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - With the U.S. Men’s National Team set to partake in soccer’s biggest tournament Friday night — Western Mass News is getting answers on how you can get in on the action.

Here at MGM Springfield where anticipation for the USA’s opening match against Paraguay has already started, but it’s not just the world game that’s having everyone here at the BetMGM Sportsbook excited. With the NBA & Stanley Cup Finals, along with Restaurant Week all taking place at the same time, officials here at MGM Springfield are anticipating this weekend to be one of the busiest of the summer.

“It’s going to be packed here at MGM Springfield. We know the MGM Sportsbook is going to be wall-to-wall with excited fans, with USA playing their first match tonight. We also know that our Tap Sports Bar is going to be filled with fans of all different, you know, from all different teams. And we encourage that. It’s such a great atmosphere to come and watch the game,” said MGM Springfield’s Community Affairs manager Beth Ward.

The BetMGM sportsbook at MGM Springfield is going to be busy this weekend and it all kicks off tonight when U.S. Men’s National Team take the field at Los Angles Stadium. It’s not just soccer lovers who’ll be checking in on the action – analysts predict this year’s tournament will be the biggest betting event in history:

Global wagers on the 2026 could top $50 billion, which is $15 billion more than in 2022, according to the Macquarie Group.

Deutsche Bank estimated the soccer tournament will produce a betting handle of about $3.3 billion in the U.S. alone.

In anticipation for that influx of casino goers. MGM Springfield is gearing up, “we are ready. We have extra staff here in the sportsbook,” Ward said, “if I were a betting woman, which I cannot, but I will not be placing any bets. If I were Team USA.”

If gambling isn’t your thing – both Costa and TAP Sports Bar are participating in Springfield’s Restaurant Week until Sunday. There will also be soccer watch parties at The Landing near MassMutual Center throughout the tournament.

Although we know who Beth has winning the tournament, internal data from BetMGM Sports actually has most Massachusetts residents choosing Spain to win it all. But if you are feeling patriotic, the betting odds right now for Team USA to win the whole tournament is at +$5,000.

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