TLDR
- Polymarket signed a multi-year deal with Major League Soccer to become the exclusive prediction market partner for the league and Leagues Cup tournament
- The partnership will create new fan experiences including second-screen engagement with real-time data and statistics during matches
- The deal includes safeguards and independent monitoring to protect the integrity of MLS and Leagues Cup matches
- Kalshi recently surpassed Polymarket in trading volume with $2.15 billion in weekly trades compared to Polymarket’s $825 million
- Several US states including Nevada, New Jersey, Tennessee and Massachusetts are taking prediction markets to court over sports betting concerns
Polymarket announced a multi-year agreement with Major League Soccer on Monday to serve as the exclusive prediction market partner for the league. The deal covers MLS regular season matches, the MLS Cup, and the Leagues Cup tournament.
https://polymarket.com/MLS_PR/status/2015866584758440271?s=20
The partnership aims to create new ways for soccer fans to interact with matches through second-screen engagement. This feature typically provides viewers with real-time data, statistics, and other interactive content while watching games.
“As soccer’s audience continues to grow and evolve in the US, fans are looking for new ways to engage more deeply with the game,” said Polymarket founder and CEO Shayne Coplan. The platform plans to display real-time collective sentiment around key moments and matches throughout the season.
The agreement comes as soccer gains more attention in the United States. The FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place in North America and Mexico later this year.
Both companies stated the deal includes protective measures for match integrity. Independent monitoring of trading activities will be part of the partnership to prevent potential manipulation or insider trading concerns.
Prediction Market Growth and Competition
This marks the latest in a series of partnerships between prediction markets and major sports organizations. The National Hockey League previously signed deals with both Polymarket and Kalshi for multi-year licensing agreements.
Polymarket also holds exclusive agreements with the Ultimate Fighting Championship and the New York Rangers. These platforms are expanding their presence in sports, media content, and search engines.
Trading volumes on prediction markets have reached record levels. Kalshi recorded $2.15 billion in weekly volume for the week starting January 12, according to Token Terminal data.
Polymarket saw its highest weekly volume during the same period with nearly $825 million traded. Kalshi has pulled ahead in overall volume, partly due to its relationship with Robinhood and sports betting offerings.
Regulatory Developments
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued a no-action letter to crypto derivatives exchange Bitnomial earlier this month. This letter allows the exchange to operate a prediction market and signals the agency will not take action against similar platforms.
However, multiple US states are challenging prediction markets in court. Nevada, New Jersey, Tennessee and Massachusetts have filed lawsuits against Kalshi and other platforms over their sports event contracts.
These states claim the platforms are operating as unlicensed sports betting services. Kalshi has argued that the CFTC holds exclusive jurisdiction over prediction markets, not state gambling regulators.
The MLS partnership with Polymarket includes independent monitoring systems to address concerns about market manipulation. The companies did not disclose specific details about how the monitoring will work or the financial terms of the agreement.
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