Lynnae Williams Journalist
Lynnae is a journalist covering the intersection of technology, culture, and gambling. She has more than five years of experience as a writer and editor, with bylines at SlashGear and MakeUseOf. On the iGaming side,...
Read Full BioSoccer United Marketing (SUM), the commercial arm of Major League Soccer, announced a multi-year partnership with Polymarket on Monday, designating the company as the “official and exclusive prediction market partner of MLS, MLS All-Star Game, MLS Cup presented by Audi, and Leagues Cup.”
As part of the deal, MLS and Polymarket say they will work together on new fan experiences across MLS digital platforms, with a focus on real-time fan sentiment and second-screen engagement during live matches.
The timing of the partnership, announced less than a month before the start of the 2026 MLS season on February 21, arrives as North American soccer prepares for increased visibility in the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
MLS seemed to acknowledge concerns about insider trading on prediction markets and made it a point to say that the agreement establishes protections against market manipulation, saying in the press release: “The partnership includes safeguards designed to protect the integrity of MLS and Leagues Cup matches, including independent monitoring of trading activities and collaboration on MLS and Leagues Cup markets offered.”
MLS Deputy Commissioner and President of SUM, Gary Stevenson, said the partnership “position[s] MLS as an early leader among global soccer properties.”
Polymarket sees its deal with MLS as strategic: “As soccer’s audience continues to grow and evolve in the U.S., fans are looking for new ways to engage more deeply with the game,” said Shayne Coplan, Founder & CEO of Polymarket. “Through our partnership with MLS and Leagues Cup, we can surface real-time collective sentiment around key moments, matches, and season-long storylines.”
Polymarket’s Growing Sports Portfolio
In the past year, Polymarket has made several moves to expand its sports portfolio, even as prediction markets have increasingly come under fire from state regulators who argue that sports-based event contracts constitute unregulated gambling.
Earlier this month, Polymarket inked a deal with Madison Square Garden Corp. to become the official prediction market partner of the New York Rangers. The partnership includes in-arena branding for Polymarket, including LED signage and “digitally enhanced dasherboards,” as well as sponsorship of “In-Game Polls” during Rangers broadcasts.
In October 2025, the NHL became the first major league sports league in North America to partner with prediction markets, entering into multi-year agreements with both Polymarket and Kalshi. Through these deals, the platforms gained access to official NHL proprietary data and the right to use league marks and logos.
Beyond the hockey rink, in November 2025, Polymarket moved into combat sports, securing a deal with TKO Group Holdings, which covers the UFC and the newly launched Zuffa Boxing. These deals follow a record-breaking year for Polymarket, during which its total trading volume surged past $20 billion, according to Keyrock and Dune, as reported by Forbes.
Most Leagues Still Cautious About Prediction Markets
While the NHL and MLS have expressed enthusiasm for working with prediction markets, the other major North American sports leagues are taking a much more conservative approach to these platforms. The main concern of the leagues is that prediction markets don’t operate under the same state-level regulatory framework as traditional sportsbooks.
Because prediction markets are regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), many state regulators and leagues argue that event contracts on sports outcomes don’t come with certain consumer protections that are found in state-regulated betting markets.
The NFL has taken an especially hard line toward prediction markets. In August 2025, the league sent a memo to its personnel and players prohibiting them from trading on these platforms. At the time, NFL Chief Compliance Officer Sabrina Perel said, “These platforms mimic sports betting, they are covered as prohibited under our policy.”
MLB, the NBA, and the NCAA have all taken similar stances on prediction markets. MLB sent a letter to the CFTC in March 2025 outlining the lack of a sports-integrity framework and information-sharing requirements. In May 2025, the NBA sent a letter to the CFTC expressing concerns about the integrity risks posed by sports betting on prediction markets.
In January of this year, the NCAA joined the opposition, with President Charlie Baker calling for a total suspension of collegiate-linked event contracts in a letter to CFTC Chairman Michael Selig. Baker cited his concern for the well-being of student-athletes, arguing that the 18+ age limit on many prediction markets (compared to the 21+ standard for most sportsbooks) “heavily entices” a younger demographic and increases the risk of harassment and coercion of amateur players.
