Major League Soccer has announced a multi-year partnership with Polymarket, naming the platform its official and exclusive prediction market partner in the United States.
Key Takeaways
- MLS signed a multi-year deal with Polymarket, making it the exclusive prediction market partner for the league and Leagues Cup.
- The collaboration aims to boost fan engagement through real-time data and second-screen experiences.
- Integrity safeguards are central to the deal, including independent monitoring of trading activity to prevent insider use.
- The deal comes as prediction markets face growing scrutiny, with several US states challenging platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket.
What Happened?
Major League Soccer, through its commercial arm Soccer United Marketing (SUM), unveiled a landmark partnership with Polymarket. The agreement designates Polymarket as the official partner of MLS, MLS All-Star Game, MLS Cup, and Leagues Cup. This move places MLS at the forefront of digital innovation by integrating real-time market sentiment into fan experiences.
We’re honored to be named the exclusive prediction market partner of Major League Soccer.
— Polymarket (@Polymarket) January 26, 2026
You can now trade with no house — and no limits. pic.twitter.com/GZa0nOOi9N
A New Kind of Fan Interaction
MLS and Polymarket will work closely to create interactive fan features, particularly focusing on live match experiences and second-screen engagement. Through MLS digital platforms, fans will be able to track and interact with live market activity that reflects collective predictions on match outcomes, key plays, and season-long developments.
- Polymarket plans to offer real-time sentiment insights, allowing fans to track shifting expectations during matches.
- The platform will be invite-only in the US, with potential fans needing to join a waitlist.
- Key content will be featured across MLS and Leagues Cup digital properties, highlighting evolving fan predictions.
Shayne Coplan, founder and CEO of Polymarket said:
Gary Stevenson, MLS Deputy Commissioner and President of Soccer United Marketing, added that innovation remains essential to the league’s growth. “Partnering with Polymarket allows us to integrate prediction markets as a new fan engagement format,” Stevenson said.
Integrity at the Forefront
The partnership includes extensive measures to protect the sport’s integrity:
- Independent monitoring of MLS and Leagues Cup prediction markets by third parties like IC360 and Sportradar.
- Strict bans on trading for individuals with insider access, such as players, referees, club staff, and owners.
- MLS’s Chris Schlosser noted that discussions began in mid-2025, emphasizing the league’s intent to proactively shape the future of fan interaction while maintaining ethical standards.
A Booming Yet Controversial Sector
While this partnership is a first for MLS, it follows similar moves by other leagues. The NHL was the first major US sports league to align with prediction markets. Polymarket also holds deals with the UFC and New York Rangers.
But not all headlines are positive. Prediction markets like Polymarket and rival Kalshi are drawing legal scrutiny:
- States such as Nevada, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Massachusetts have filed lawsuits, arguing that platforms mimic unlicensed sports betting.
- Kalshi claims to operate under the oversight of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and not state gambling agencies.
- The CFTC recently issued a no-action letter to Bitnomial, signaling regulatory acceptance of some prediction markets.
Despite challenges, prediction markets are thriving. Kalshi reported a record $2.15 billion in weekly volume, while Polymarket saw $825 million during the same period.
CoinLaw’s Takeaway
I find this deal fascinating. In my experience, sports leagues are often cautious about new tech, especially when there’s even a whiff of legal uncertainty. But MLS seems to be embracing innovation head-on. By working with Polymarket, they’re not just tolerating prediction markets, they’re shaping how they’re integrated into the sport. That’s a bold move, especially with the 2026 FIFA World Cup bringing soccer into a global spotlight. I think this could open the door for more leagues to follow, but they’ll be watching closely to see if MLS can pull it off without sparking controversy.
