What is the Excitement Index?
The Excitement Index (EI) tells you how thrilling a game is — at a glance. It measures the total distance win probabilities travel during a game.
📊 How the Excitement Index Works
During a game, betting odds constantly shift based on what's happening on the field. When one team scores, their odds of winning go up. When momentum swings, the odds swing too.
The Excitement Index measures the total amount of these swings. A game where the lead changes hands multiple times and the outcome stays uncertain until the final whistle will have a high EI score. A blowout where one team dominates from start to finish? Low EI.
“The Excitement Index answers the question: If I only have time to watch one game, which one should I pick?”
📈 The EI Scale (1-100)
Example: A basketball game where both teams trade 3-pointers in the final minutes, with the lead changing 5 times in the last 2 minutes.
Example: A football game where the underdog takes an early lead, the favorite storms back, but the final drive stalls at the 10-yard line.
Example: A baseball game where the better team leads most of the way, but the opponent makes it interesting with a late rally that falls short.
Example: A hockey game where the home team scores twice in the first period and cruises to victory, never trailing.
Example: A basketball game where the favorite leads by 20+ points from the second quarter onwards and the starters rest the entire fourth quarter.
🔬 What Goes Into the Excitement Index
The EI is based on the cumulative distance win probabilities travel during a game, normalized by game length:
The total distance probabilities moved. More travel = more action.
How many times the favorite flipped. Each flip adds to the drama.
The winner's lowest probability during the game. A winner who was down to 10% is more exciting than one who led the whole way.
Overtime games are adjusted so extra time doesn't artificially inflate the score.
🔴 Live vs Final
EI updates every 30 seconds as new odds come in. Watch it climb during exciting moments!
The final EI score reflects the entire game. Use it to find the best highlights to rewatch.
❓ Common Questions
Does a high EI mean the underdog won?▼
Why doesn't every game have an EI score?▼
Is EI the same across all sports?▼
🏆 Hall of Fame
Curious which games had the highest (and lowest) Excitement Index scores ever? Check out our all-time rankings.
🏆View Hall of Fame