Media Troopers, the leading digital and acquisition group, expects substantial year-on-year growth in the upcoming NFL season, driven by the continued expansion of the US sportsbook industry and the increasing popularity of prediction market platforms.
The previous NFL season was the first time prediction market trading became a regular fixture in the wagering landscape. Kalshi was one of the biggest operators in the space, generating more than $1bn in trading volume for Super Bowl Sunday.
Since then, the prediction market industry has continued to grow. The upcoming NFL season will see more prediction market platforms, including Kalshi, Polymarket, Underdog, Crypto.com and others, continue to drive trading volume, with additional newcomers from sportsbook operators like FanDuel and DraftKings capitalising on both traditional sports wagering and financial trading verticals.
Traditional sports betting operators also experienced unprecedented growth during the previous NFL season, with figures from the American Gaming Association estimating $30bn in wagers, an 8.5% year-on-year rise.
The inclusion of prediction markets in wagering spaces shows how the sector is growing; sportsbooks no longer dominate the scene and continued growth in both sectors suggests a more engaged football audience looking to interact with the NFL in more diverse ways.
With Media Troopers, operators and affiliates can expect to capitalise on the growth of both verticals, with expanded customer portfolios catering to both sports betting and prediction markets, dedicated teams to help manage increasing NFL campaign volume, as well as new media channels and distribution opportunities available to operators and affiliates.
The 2026 NFL season will be a test of how the convergence of prediction markets and traditional sports betting can interact within the industry, with Media Troopers positioned to help operators and affiliates drive continued engagement and growth.
Shmulik Segal, CEO, says: “Last NFL season gave us the first indication of what prediction markets could add to the football acquisition landscape. This year, the market is completely different.
“We have more platforms, more customers and more media channels available to us, and we have expanded our teams accordingly. With preseason already underway, we are seeing encouraging early traction and expect the NFL to be one of our strongest growth periods yet.”
