Canadian rap superstar Drake has once again found himself at the centre of online sports and entertainment conversation after losing a $1 million wager on Super Bowl LX, in which the New England Patriots were defeated by the Seattle Seahawks, 29-13. The high-profile loss has reignited discussion of the long-standing superstition widely referred to as the “Drake Curse” a belief among fans and commentators that teams or athletes publicly backed by Drake tend to suffer defeat.
In the days leading up to Super Bowl LX, Drake whose real name is Aubrey Graham publicly shared details of his multimillion-dollar bet on social media, drawing significant attention from both sports fans and betting communities. Alongside an image of the betting slip on Instagram, the rapper issued a playful challenge, encouraging fans to bet against him if they believed his prediction would fail.
Drake’s bet was placed in favour of the New England Patriots, who entered the championship game as underdogs against the Seattle Seahawks. Had the Patriots secured victory, the wager would have paid out nearly $2.95 million. Instead, the defeat left Drake without a return and added another chapter to his highly publicised betting history.
The match that cost millions
Super Bowl LX, played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, saw the Seahawks emerge with a convincing 29-13 victory. Seattle delivered a dominant performance, combining disciplined defense with efficient offense to keep New England from establishing sustained momentum at any stage of the game. The Seahawks’ defensive unit limited scoring opportunities, while their offense capitalised on key moments to build and protect a comfortable lead.
The result meant that all bets placed on a Patriots win including Drake’s seven-figure stake were unsuccessful. Almost immediately after the final whistle, social media platforms lit up with reactions referencing Drake’s public wager, blending humour with commentary on the unpredictability of sports betting.
The ‘Drake curse’: Myth or reality?
The so-called “Drake Curse” has become a recurring theme in sports culture over the past decade. The superstition is rooted in several high-profile instances where teams or athletes publicly supported by Drake went on to lose important matches or championships. Because Drake often shares his sports allegiances and betting slips openly, these losses have attracted disproportionate attention.
Among the commonly cited examples are Drake’s past losses on major sporting events, including high-value NBA and NHL wagers, as well as previous Super Bowl bets that failed to deliver returns. Fans often point to the pattern as evidence of a curse, while critics argue it is simply a case of selective memory where losses are remembered more vividly than wins.
Statistical reviews of Drake’s disclosed betting history suggest a mixed record. While he has placed dozens of bets across multiple sports, his overall win rate is estimated to be below 40 percent. Nevertheless, he has recorded several significant wins over the years, challenging the idea that his presence alone determines outcomes.
Drake himself has previously dismissed the notion of a curse, often responding with humour. He has pointed to moments of sporting success during his public support including championship victories by teams he has backed as proof that the superstition lacks factual basis.
Celebrity betting and sports culture
Drake’s Super Bowl wager highlights the growing intersection between celebrity culture, sports fandom, and legal sports betting. Major sporting events such as the Super Bowl attract billions of dollars in wagers annually, and celebrity involvement can amplify interest and engagement. When high-profile figures publicly share their bets, it adds an entertainment layer that fuels discussion, speculation, and online interaction.
However, experts consistently caution that celebrity bets should not be mistaken for informed predictions. Sports outcomes remain dependent on preparation, performance, and competition rather than public endorsements or superstition. The attention surrounding Drake’s loss reflects more about modern media dynamics than any tangible influence on the game itself.
Public reaction and ongoing debate
Following the Seahawks’ victory, fan reaction ranged from playful mockery to thoughtful discussion about betting psychology and narrative bias. Some fans joked that wagering against Drake might be a reliable strategy, while others argued that the attention given to his losses unfairly reinforces a myth.
Critics of the “Drake Curse” narrative argue that it persists because it fits a compelling story rather than objective reality. Losses are magnified because they are entertaining and widely shared, while successful bets often pass with less fanfare.
Drake’s $1 million Super Bowl loss adds another high-profile chapter to his public sports betting history. While the defeat has once again fuelled discussion of the so-called “Drake Curse,” the phenomenon remains rooted more in popular culture than proven causation. Ultimately, the episode underscores the unpredictable nature of sports betting and the powerful role celebrity narratives play in shaping public conversation.
As long as Drake continues to publicly engage with major sporting events and wager significant sums his bets will remain a talking point, blending entertainment, superstition, and modern sports culture into one ongoing narrative.