World Cup expected to generate more in sports bets than the Super Bowl
The highly anticipated World Cup is set to kick off on June 11 across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. While the players take to the field, another competition is heating up off the pitch – the world of sports betting. With Americans expected to wager a staggering $3.1 billion on World Cup games through online sports betting, this quadrennial soccer tournament is shaping up to be one of the biggest gambling events of all time.
According to Bookies.com, prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket are projected to handle an additional $2.4 billion in bets. This surge in betting activity can be attributed to the growing popularity of sports trading in prediction markets, with Kalshi and Polymarket entering the sports betting arena just last year.
In the U.S., legal sports betting has paved the way for a significant increase in World Cup wagers, with Americans betting $1.8 billion on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar – a figure on par with the amount wagered on the 2026 Super Bowl. A recent survey by PwC revealed that 58% of Americans plan to bet on the World Cup, with a third of respondents indicating they plan to wager at least $250.
The expanded field of 48 teams and 104 matches in this year’s World Cup has further fueled the surge in betting. With more matches scheduled in prime time in North America, fans have greater accessibility to watch and wager on the games. John Ewing, a public relations executive at BetMGM, believes that the U.S. team’s performance in the tournament, particularly if they advance past the group stage, will drive even more betting as patriotic fans rally behind their national team.
In light of the increasing interest in sports betting, seven new states have approved sports betting since the 2022 World Cup, with some states looking to capitalize on the betting frenzy. For instance, New Jersey, a host of several World Cup matches, has introduced a bill that would impose a 10% surcharge on World Cup wagers to generate additional revenue.
As the World Cup approaches, the excitement both on and off the field continues to build. With billions of dollars at stake, sports betting enthusiasts and casual fans alike are gearing up for what promises to be an unforgettable tournament.
