Fanatics Lands Official FIFA World Cup Prediction Market Rights in U.S.

Fanatics Markets has secured U.S. rights to offer official FIFA World Cup prediction markets through a new partnership with FIFA rights-holder ADI PredictStreet, according to Sports Business Journal. The agreement positions Fanatics more aggressively inside the rapidly growing event contract and sports prediction market sector ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

ADI PredictStreet, which is owned by the Abu Dhabi royal family, became FIFA’s official prediction market platform earlier this year but needed a U.S.-based partner because event contracts in the United States are regulated through the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Fanatics Markets currently operates through Crypto.com’s federally regulated exchange infrastructure.

The new co-branded platform is expected to feature live World Cup prediction markets, tournament statistics, news integration, and other interactive content surrounding the expanded 48-team tournament scheduled for June and July.

World Cup Continues Driving Massive Business Interest

The World Cup is expected to become one of the largest sports business events ever staged in North America. The tournament will feature 48 teams and matches spread across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, creating significant opportunities for sportsbooks, media companies, advertisers, and prediction market operators.

Sports Business Journal has reported growing activity tied to World Cup sponsorships, media rights, fan zones, hospitality pricing, and advertising demand. Fox and Telemundo are reportedly commanding record advertising prices surrounding the tournament, while host cities continue preparing for major increases in tourism and fan engagement.

Fanatics already holds multiple FIFA-related business partnerships, including serving as the tournament’s official in-stadium retail licensee. The addition of prediction markets gives the company another major position inside the expanding global soccer economy.

Kalshi and Polymarket Already Active in Soccer Event Contracts

While Fanatics enters the market with official FIFA backing, other prediction market platforms have already established significant World Cup trading activity. Kalshi currently offers a variety of regulated soccer event contracts tied to the World Cup, including tournament winners, Golden Boot betting, and host nation performance markets.

Some of Kalshi’s active World Cup contracts include:

• Tournament winner markets
• Golden Boot winner
• Furthest advancing host nation
• Team advancement odds
• Match-by-match event contracts

Kalshi’s World Cup markets have continued attracting traders because the platform operates under CFTC oversight, allowing legal event contract trading in all 50 states. The company has increasingly positioned sports event contracts as an alternative to traditional online sportsbooks.

Meanwhile, Polymarket has become one of the most heavily discussed decentralized prediction market platforms globally. The site already hosts active trading markets tied to World Cup champions, player awards, qualification scenarios, and individual match outcomes.

Polymarket’s soccer markets have generated substantial trading volume ahead of the tournament, particularly around Golden Boot futures involving players such as Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, and Erling Haaland.

Event Contracts Continue Expanding in Sports

Prediction markets tied to sports have grown rapidly over the last two years as companies seek alternatives to traditional sports betting models. Unlike sportsbooks, where odds are set by bookmakers, prediction markets function more like financial exchanges where users buy and sell positions tied to outcomes.

Fanatics’ entry into official World Cup prediction markets signals that major sports business companies increasingly view event contracts as a long-term growth category tied to fan engagement, live trading, and second-screen viewing experiences during major sporting events.