Prediction markets tied to the World Cup have surged to $5.4 billion in wagers just 11 days into the tournament, according to data compiled by Fortune. Platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket have driven this surge, with Kalshi reporting $2.9 billion in trading volume and Polymarket $2.5 billion in cumulative wagers since last July. This betting frenzy has already surpassed volumes seen in major sports events such as March Madness and the Champions League.
Kalshi’s World Cup trading volume of $2.9 billion includes combination bets and continues to rise, surpassing its previous high of $2.51 billion during March Madness. Polymarket, a key competitor, reported $2.5 billion in World Cup wagers and over $5 billion in soccer-related trading on its decentralized finance platform. Robinhood also noted significant contract volume in its World Cup prediction markets, highlighting the growing interest in this segment of sports betting.
The rapid growth of prediction markets during the World Cup underscores the expanding appeal of event-based betting beyond traditional sports wagers. Kalshi’s World Cup volume has already exceeded the $685 million recorded during the Champions League season. Polymarket’s figures position the World Cup as one of the largest single markets in its history, reflecting a broader trend of integrating decentralized finance with sports betting to attract new users and increase liquidity.
Kalshi and Polymarket’s combined World Cup betting volumes of $5.4 billion mark a record for prediction markets, with the tournament still ongoing. This milestone highlights the sector’s increasing prominence within the broader betting industry as it capitalizes on global sporting events to drive unprecedented trading activity.