Kalshi Leads Record Breaking World Cup for Prediction Markets

The 2026 FIFA World Cup proved to be a landmark event for prediction markets, with monthly trading volumes surpassing $50 billion for the first time as millions of users used the platforms throughout the tournament.

Kalshi was at the centre of that growth, recording $27 billion in trading volume during the competition and adding around 3 million new users, according to figures reported after the tournament. The increase in activity helped make the World Cup one of the biggest events the prediction market industry has experienced to date.

World Cup Drives Record Activity

Interest in sports event contracts increased steadily throughout the tournament, with football fans using prediction markets to trade on everything from individual matches to the eventual tournament winner.

Across the sector, combined monthly trading volumes exceeded $50 billion, a milestone that reflects how quickly prediction markets have grown over the past year. Analysts said the World Cup generated levels of activity that comfortably exceeded earlier expectations.

Kalshi accounted for a significant share of that activity, reporting $27 billion in trading volume during the tournament. The company also saw its user base grow by around three million as more people tried prediction markets for the first time.

A Bigger Stage for Prediction Markets

The World Cup also showed the growing role prediction markets are playing alongside traditional sports betting.

Unlike sportsbooks, prediction market platforms allow users to trade contracts on the outcome of events rather than place conventional wagers. That type of model has attracted growing interest from both retail users and institutional investors, even as legal questions continue in several U.S. states.

The record figures suggest major sporting events are becoming an important driver of growth for the sector, with companies continuing to invest in new products and trading tools ahead of future global events.

Growth Continues Despite Legal Challenges

The milestone comes as Kalshi remains involved in a number of legal cases across the United States over the regulation of its sports event contracts.

Despite those ongoing court battles, the platform has continued expanding its offering, introducing new trading products, professional trading tools and partnerships aimed at attracting a wider audience.

With the World Cup now ready, the industry will be looking to see whether prediction markets can maintain that momentum beyond football's biggest tournament.

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