Over 60% of remaining field eliminated in Circa Survivor

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Last year, over 50 percent of the remaining field in Circa Sports’ professional football betting contest, Circa Survivor, were eliminated three times during the first five weeks. For the first four weeks in 2025, no week came close. However, in Week 5 of the 2025 pro football season, the top two picked teams and three of the top five, lost. When the dust settled on Sunday, 7,735 entries had lost leaving just 4,669 remaining.

The carnage started on Thursday when the top team, Los Angeles, faced San Francisco, who were battling a litany of injuries. While Los Angeles was favored by more than a touchdown, San Francisco took control early and won in overtime, knocking out 3,524 Circa Survivor entries.

Arizona was another large favorite of the week, as Tennessee had not won a game. It looked like another blowout loss was coming to Tennessee until Emari Demercado, a player who will certainly be remembered by Circa Survivor players and fans, dropped the ball before scoring a touchdown that would have put Arizona up 28-6. Instead, Tennessee took advantage of the turnover, driving downfield and scoring a touchdown to make it 21-12. The game seemed like it was about to end on Tennessee’s next drive as Cam Ward threw an interception. However, Arizona fumbled the ball which was then recovered in the end zone by Tyler Lockett for a touchdown to make it 21-19. After stopping Arizona, Tennessee was able to kick a game-winning field goal to win 22-21 and knock out 3,152 entries.

“Arizona had a series of blunders that on their own seemed mind-boggling, but strung together seemed impossible,” said Circa Vice President of Operations, Mike Palm. “It is the worst Survivor beat of all time.”

In addition to those losses, on Sunday night 756 entries lost relying on Buffalo. 4,669 entries out of the 12,404 who started Week 5 remain, while 23 are still betting on Kansas City tonight. This represents just under 25 percent of the original field of 18,718. With the prize pool worth $18,718,000, the implied value of each entry left is $4,009.

Circa Grandissimo saw most of their entries go out in Week 5. Only 14 entries had lost going into the week, with 55 remaining. 15 were eliminated early due to Los Angeles and 20 had selected Arizona. After Buffalo lost on Sunday, it left just 16 of the original 69 entries competing for $6,900,000.