Among the greatest winners of the 2026 FIFA World Cup were prediction markets. As worldwide World Cup betting surpassed an estimated $50 billion, Kalshi and Polymarket experienced unprecedented trade volumes and millions of new consumers. With blockchain-based prediction markets directly competing with conventional bookmakers on a wide scale for the first time, the event signaled a significant change.
Kalshi reported a total notional trading volume of $31 billion in June, with sports contracts making up about 85% of the activity. World Cup-related contracts alone brought in over $22 billion in trading, far surpassing early industry expectations.
Polymarket also set records, with its international platform handling $10.8 billion in monthly trading volume and its regulated U.S. platform processing another $3.5 billion. Newcomer Rothera, backed by Robinhood and Susquehanna International Group, reached $2 billion in trading volume in its first month.
Prediction markets let users trade contracts on many types of events, such as elections, economic data, entertainment, and sports, unlike traditional sportsbooks. Their rising popularity has attracted people beyond regular sports bettors.
App usage data showed that prediction market platforms kept gaining users during the World Cup. On the other hand, following the tournament’s early phases, there was less activity on well-known sportsbook applications like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars.
Kalshi and Polymarket made up almost 79% of betting app installations among major platforms during the tournament. Female participation also rose, with Kalshi saying women made up about one-third of its users by the end of June.
Institutional investors are entering the sector as well. Trading company DRW has demonstrated increasing trust in the liquidity and pricing effectiveness of Kalshi and Polymarket by setting up a specialized prediction market desk focusing on arbitrage possibilities throughout both marketplaces.
Prediction markets are evolving from specialized financial products to popular platforms that may directly compete with conventional bookmakers, as seen by the World Cup. They may eventually play a larger part in international event-based trading because to their expanding user base, more institutional engagement, and improving regulatory acceptability.
According to reporting from CNBC, prediction markets had their biggest month on record in June — and the FIFA World Cup was the catalyst.
Kalshi logged more than $31 billion in notional trading volume, a 70% jump from May. Polymarket hit a new monthly record at $10.8 billion,… pic.twitter.com/RbHLgospJR
— Entrepreneur (@Entrepreneur) July 8, 2026
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