Closing Line

Definition:

In sports betting, the closing line is the final set of odds or point spread offered by a sportsbook just before a game starts. It incorporates all market factors, including betting action, injuries, and news.

They serve two main purposes:

1. Represent the most efficient reflection of a game’s true odds.

2. Serve as a benchmark to evaluate betting performance (ex. CLV – Closing Line Value).

Real-World Example

NFL Game: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs

• The line opens with the Eagles –2.5.

• Heavy betting and late injury news shift the odds to Eagles –1 before kickoff.

• The –1 spread is the closing line, used to judge whether early bettors got a better or worse number.