World Cup Boosts Prediction Markets: Volume Surges 300% as Records Are Broken

While World Cup excitement has galvanized prediction markets, Polymarket volume surged by 300%, and Kalshi set a record with $1.16 billion in open interest.

The World Cup, the global sports world’s biggest event, has acted as a catalyst for crypto-based and regulated prediction markets. With the start of the tournament, investor interest has shifted toward football-focused markets, as industry giants Polymarket and Kalshi reached new heights in trading volume and user engagement.

The “Football” category on Polymarket recorded over $2 billion in volume during the first ten days of the tournament, showcasing a massive 300% growth compared to the previous period. The average daily trading volume, which was $53 million before the matches, skyrocketed to approximately $220 million with the tournament’s start. The fact that each match offers a short-term market concluding within 90 minutes ensures a rapid turnover of liquidity on the platform.

Kalshi and Polymarket Competition in Prediction Markets

This activity in prediction markets was not limited to volume alone; a historic threshold was also crossed in open interest data. Kalshi, a US-based and regulated platform, broke its record with $1.16 billion, surpassing the billion-dollar mark for the first time in total open interest. This figure shows that the platform has increased its open interest by 350% since the beginning of the year.

The fact that Kalshi’s open interest data is growing faster than its trading volume indicates that users are holding their positions for longer periods. This demonstrates that the platform has become a safe haven not just for instant trades, but also for institutional and high-net-worth investors. In particular, the possibility of direct dollar on-ramps and the fact that it is under regulatory oversight place Kalshi in a position to compete directly with traditional sports betting sites.