World Cup Betting Could Surpass $3 Billion at U.S. Sportsbooks

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

9 minute read

Year in and year out, the Super Bowl stands out as the biggest single-day sports betting event in the United States. But worldwide, soccer is the most-bet sport, and the World Cup is the most-bet event.

So with the U.S. co-hosting this year's international tournament, World Cup betting will be massive. One analyst projects more than $3 billion in sportsbook handle. And prediction markets could see nearly $2.4 billion in volume.

Much more below on anticipated World Cup wagering. Be sure to utilize our prediction market apps and Kalshi promo code by clicking on the module below, or our BetMGM bonus code to get the most out of your action.

Updated on 4/22/26

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2026 World Cup Betting

Growing the Game

Even under the old 32-team format, World Cup odds would still be No. 1 worldwide in betting handle. But the 2026 tournament is the first to feature an expanded 48-team field.

Each team will still play three matches in the group stage. But with 16 teams comprising four more groups, that means more matches. And there's an additional knockout round, with elimination games starting in the Round of 32, rather than the Round of 16.

In 2022, when the last men's World Cup was held, the American Gaming Association estimated that 20.5 million Americans would bet $1.8 billion on the tournament. Since then, sports betting has further expanded in the U.S.

With sports betting's growth, the expanded field and the usual summertime slot – the 2022 tourney was in November/December in Qatar – along with plenty of prime-time matches, World Cup wagering is set for a sonic boom.

Big Money

Bookies.com developed World Cup projections for both sportsbooks and prediction markets.

Based on input from a major sports betting operator, speaking on background, along with an investment firm's projections and state-by-state breakdowns, Bookies.com's Bill Speros reported that 72% growth is expected in World Cup betting handle.

That would translate to $3.1 billion in World Cup wagers.

In addition, 2026 represents the first World Cup for U.S. prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket. For prediction markets, Bookies.com's projection formula starts with the Super Bowl as a basis point.

The report estimated that every dollar of volume on the Super Bowl would translate to $1.72 in World Cup volume. Kalshi and Polymarket combined for $1.38 billion in Super Bowl game-related volume.

Multiply $1.38 billion by 1.72, and that comes out to an expected $2.37 billion in World Cup trading volume.

Handle vs. Volume

It's important to clarify that trading volume and sportsbook handle are two very different things. Sportsbook handle represents each dollar bet; trading volume captures all matched trades, including a customer buying into a position and subsequently buying out of that position.

Plus, while a substantial chunk of World Cup trading will be on the matches themselves, there'll also be significant trading on championship futures, group winners and more.

Alex Kane, CEO of SportTrade, told VegasInsider that World Cup prediction market handle is probably in the range of 18-20% of volume. So $2.37 billion in volume would correlate to approximately $474 million in handle.

Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson is a senior reporter for VegasInsider. Based in Las Vegas since 1994, he's worked in the sports betting journalism/content space for more than a decade. He's most known for his deep roster of contacts behind sportsbook counters, providing readers and viewers with the ins-and-outs of how events are being bet. He's also a thought leader in the sports betting space, often appearing on or moderating panels at national conferences. More from Patrick Everson