Where “Footy Tipping” Comes From
Footy tipping is a pastime in which people predict the winner of each round’s games in the AFL or NRL and score a point for every correct pick. The person with the most points at the end of the season wins.
It’s a way to follow the competition with friends, family and workmates, even if you don’t usually watch.
“We’ve got a footy tipping comp at work.”
How Aussies Actually Use It
You’ll hear it at work, in pubs and online during the footy season.
In Real Life
In offices and pubs across the country, footy tipping makes every round matter. People who don’t care about the sport still join in for the chat and the leaderboard. The weekly email about who’s on top is a ritual, and the winner gets bragging rights. Many comps are free, and some raise money for charity.
Quick Questions
What does tipping mean in footy?
Picking which team will win each game.
Do you need to know about footy to join a comp?
Not at all. Plenty of people pick by team colours or mascots.
Say It Like an Aussie
Say it: FUT-ee TIP-ing.
In conversation:
- Who’s winning the tipping comp?
- I tipped the wrong team again.
- The office runs a footy tipping comp.
Good to know: Most tipping comps are free or for small stakes, run for fun with a prize or bragging rights. If money is involved, treat it as a game and set a limit.
See also: Footy, Aussie Rules, Howzat
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