World Cup Propels US Prediction Markets to $1.91B Daily Volume Record

The US prediction markets sector reached a new milestone in July 2026, with average daily trading volume climbing to $1.91 billion according to research from Jefferies. The jump of 9% from June's figures underscores the outsized influence of major sporting events on the industry, though analysts noted that growth extends well beyond tournament-specific activity.

The FIFA World Cup served as the primary catalyst for July's record volumes. Data cited from Chainanalysis shows the tournament generated approximately $20 billion in prediction market trading volume, dwarfing the previous industry record of $3.6 billion associated with the 2024 US presidential election. This comparison illustrates how sporting mega-events have become central to prediction market liquidity and retail interest.

Sports contracts dominated trading activity throughout the month, accounting for 76% of all volume compared to 67% in June. Average daily sports trading reached $1.33 billion, a 12% month-over-month increase. However, activity was not uniform across July. Weekly trading peaked at $137 million in late June as World Cup contracts drew maximum attention, then declined sharply to $8 million by month's end as matches concluded and contracts expired.

A noteworthy development amid the World Cup surge was the continued growth of non-sports prediction markets. Average daily volume in these segments increased 5% to $424 million, suggesting that traders are increasingly diversifying into political, economic, and real-world event speculation even during periods of intense sports betting activity.

The industry landscape shifted during July through several major corporate moves. Fanatics announced the acquisition of a regulated exchange and clearinghouse from BGC Group, enabling the operator to bring exchange operations in-house. Reports emerged regarding a potential partnership between Crypto.com and Robinhood, though no confirmed agreement materialized. Most significantly, IG Group announced on July 30 its acquisition of prediction market operator Underdog for $1.3 billion, a transaction that underscores investor confidence in sector valuations.

Among emerging platforms, Rothera, launched through a partnership between Robinhood and Susquehanna International Group, recorded $70 million in average daily volume during July, representing a 24% increase from June. Smaller operators collectively generated $161 million in average daily volume, though their combined market share declined from 10% in June to 8%, indicating continued market concentration among larger players.

The prediction markets sector has demonstrated resilience and growth beyond event-driven volatility. CasinoAdvisor's ongoing tracking of this space shows that institutional participation and regulatory clarity continue to support infrastructure investment. The $1.3 billion Underdog acquisition and Fanatics' move toward vertically integrated operations suggest that major gaming and fintech operators view prediction markets as strategic rather than peripheral assets. The sector's ability to attract capital and attract trading volume during a major international event signals maturation, though the steep decline in activity post-tournament also highlights the importance of developing broader, non-event-dependent trading bases.