World Cup 2026 Set to Become Largest Sports Betting Event in US History

According to estimates, the upcoming World Cup is expected to generate $3.1 billion, outshining the likes of the Super Bowl and other sporting events.

Ziv Chen

Last Updated: May 22, 2026 12:22 PM EDT • 2 minute read

Pictured: Passengers look at a giant model of the football called and a replica of the World Cup trophy as we look at the expected legal betting handle for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. Photo by REUTERS/Henry Romero

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is on pace to shatter every American sports wagering record. With the tournament opening on June 11 across 16 host cities in the US, Canada, and Mexico, analysts project that legal handle from US bettors alone will reach $3.1 billion, a windfall for the best sportsbooks.

That figure would surpass the $1.8 billion wagered during the 2022 edition in Qatar. It would also potentially eclipse Super Bowl betting totals for the first time.

Several forces are converging to push those numbers higher than ever. Seven additional states have legalized sports betting apps since Argentina lifted the trophy in Qatar, and the expanded 48-team format means 104 matches in total, giving bettors far more wagering opportunities across the five-week run.

The tournament also falls outside the American football season, putting it in a favorable window with no scheduling conflicts with the NFL.

Demographic shifts are a key driver as well. Survey data shows that 61% of Gen Z sports bettors rank soccer among their top three wagering sports, compared to just 29% of bettors aged 50 and older. That generational gap reflects how soccer has climbed the American betting ladder in recent years.

In addition, a PwC survey found that 58% of Americans planned to place at least one bet during the tournament, either through the best World Cup betting sites, prediction market apps, fantasy contests, or informal bets with friends and family.

At the same time, prediction market platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket are projected to handle an additional $2.4 billion in World Cup trading volume.

FIFA's branding rules mean gambling logos go dark at US Stadiums

The betting boom surrounding the World Cup comes with a notable catch for the very sportsbooks that stand to profit most from it. Despite billions in projected wagers, gambling brands will be largely invisible inside the stadiums where those games are played.

FIFA's sponsorship framework requires that all advertising inside and around host venues be limited exclusively to official FIFA partners and sponsors. Any company that does not hold that status must have its signage removed or covered before kickoff. That policy sweeps in gambling and resort operators that have existing deals with the NFL franchises whose stadiums are hosting games.

The most visible casualty is Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, which will be rebranded Miami Stadium for the duration of the event. Hard Rock International, owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, is the only naming-rights holder in the group to see its name physically stripped from a venue.

AT&T Stadium in Arlington will operate as Dallas Stadium, and several other venues will undergo similar transitions to generic geographic names. Only Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta received a partial exception, after FIFA determined its signature rooftop structure could not be covered without risking structural damage.

Written by:
Ziv Chen

Ziv has over two decades of experience in the igaming and sports betting industry, having served in senior marketing and business development positions with both B2C and B2B companies, including Playtech and Microgaming. In 2019, Ziv decided to pursue his passion for writing and became a fulltime industry journalist, covering casino, sports, and gambling business news. He’s specialties include casino games and technology, US state gambling regulation, company performance, as well as gambling affiliates and marketing. As a Pitt graduate, Ziv is a diehard fan of all Pittsburgh sports teams, with the Steelers at the top of the list. In his free time, he enjoys reading crime fiction, biographies (mainly of sports personalities, but not only) and American history. Ziv’s Favorite quote: “We're going to pursue perfection, knowing full well we won't catch it, but we're going to relentlessly chase it," Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach.