World Cup boosts Polymarket 300%, Kalshi hits record interest

Polymarket recorded roughly a 300% increase in trading volume compared with pre-tournament levels as users placed contracts on match results, tournament winners and related propositions during the World Cup. The surge occurred across single-match markets and broader tournament outcomes over the tournament period.

Polymarket, a crypto-based prediction market, reported that both casual participants and more active traders contributed to higher turnover on the platform. Activity increased on markets tied directly to matches as well as on ancillary props linked to the event.

Kalshi, a U.S. event-contract exchange, reported open interest at record levels for the platform during the same period. Open interest measures the total value of outstanding contracts that remain active rather than closed. Kalshi’s reported growth included sports-linked contracts and other event contracts that gained traction during the tournament.

Market operators and observers cited the World Cup’s large global audience, the availability of accessible single-match and prop markets, and heightened outcome volatility as factors driving higher trading activity and more persistent positions. Traders opened new contracts and in many cases kept positions open for longer, which pushed up both volume and open interest.

Volume measures the total value of trades executed over a set time, while open interest shows the total value of active positions. The two metrics together describe levels of engagement on event-driven trading platforms during a concentrated period of public attention.

Prediction markets allow participants to buy and sell contracts that pay out based on real-world outcomes. Traders use these instruments to express views, hedge exposure or speculate. Platform operators reported using the World Cup data to inform future product offerings and promotional efforts.