Home / Business and Economy / Beyond Goals: Sportsbooks Eye $10B World Cup Boom
Beyond Goals: Sportsbooks Eye $10B World Cup Boom
13 Jun
Summary
- World Cup expansion offers 60% more betting opportunities.
- Analysts project over $3 billion in incremental handle.
- Prediction markets seen as engagement layer, not threat.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, commencing this Thursday across North America, presents a substantial financial opportunity beyond the sport itself, with billions anticipated to flow through sportsbooks and prediction markets. The tournament's expansion to 48 teams and 104 matches provides approximately 60% more betting inventory compared to previous events.
Investment firm Bernstein forecasts over $3 billion in incremental handle and up to $10 billion in broader consumer volume uplift for betting and prediction platforms. They view the World Cup as a "potential watershed moment," capable of accelerating the growth of prediction markets and online sports betting.
Companies like DraftKings have already reported significant increases in consumer volume, with May annualized volume rising 24% month-over-month. Prediction markets are considered a new layer for sports engagement monetization. Platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket have rapidly scaled, particularly in key states.
Crypto exchanges are also expanding their prediction market offerings. Robinhood has launched World Cup events contracts, and Coinbase is providing World Cup contracts through its partnership with Kalshi, having already achieved substantial revenue from its prediction markets product.
User data from platforms like Myriad indicates Spain is currently favored to win the World Cup, with France closely following.
