sports
World Cup expected to generate more in sports bets than the Super Bowl
The players won't be the only ones looking to score when the World Cup kicks off on June 11 across 16 cities in three countries. Held this year in Canada, Mexico and the U.S., the quadrennial soccer tournament is expected to become one of the biggest gambling events of all time.
TL;DR
- The 2026 World Cup is projected to be one of the largest gambling events, with Americans expected to wager billions.
- Online sports betting and prediction markets are anticipated to handle significant amounts of money.
- The tournament's expansion to 48 teams, 104 matches, and prime-time games in North America are key factors driving betting interest.
- Increased legal sports betting in several states and patriotic support for the U.S. team are expected to contribute to high wagering volumes.
- Some states, like New Jersey, are considering surcharges on World Cup wagers.