Polymarket has signed a multi-year partnership with Major League Soccer (MLS), becoming the league’s exclusive prediction market partner. The agreement covers both the regular MLS season and the Leagues Cup, signaling a growing connection between professional sports and data-driven fan engagement platforms.
Expanding Fan Engagement Through Prediction Markets
Under the deal, Polymarket and MLS plan to develop interactive, second-screen experiences designed to deepen fan involvement during matches. These experiences may include real-time insights, collective sentiment, and market-based probabilities tied to games, moments, and season-long narratives.
According to company statements, the goal is to give fans a more data-informed way to follow soccer, reflecting how audiences increasingly engage with live sports through digital tools.
The partnership comes at a time when soccer interest in the United States is accelerating, supported by upcoming international tournaments in North America and rising domestic viewership.
Integrity Measures and Market Oversight
Both organizations emphasized that the agreement includes integrity safeguards, such as independent monitoring of trading activity, aimed at protecting the fairness of MLS and Leagues Cup matches. These measures are intended to address concerns around market manipulation or insider activity.
Prediction Market Growth Amid Regulation
The MLS partnership follows a period of rapid growth for prediction markets. Platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi have reported record trading volumes, driven in part by recent regulatory clarity at the federal level.
At the same time, several U.S. states are challenging whether sports-related event contracts constitute unlicensed betting, setting up an ongoing legal debate over jurisdiction.
With this deal, Polymarket strengthens its presence in mainstream sports, while MLS experiments with new, data-focused fan experiences that reflect changing audience behavior.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.