Kalshi Reports 3 Million New Users and Record Trades During 2026 FIFA World Cup
Prediction market platform Kalshi announced a gain of 3 million new users and a record $1.2 billion in trades for a single market during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament, which concluded with Spain defeating Argentina, saw significant engagement for Kalshi through various marketing partnerships, including with prominent football figures and the Argentina national team. Despite its commercial presence, Kalshi was not an official sponsor of the event, navigating this through a partnership with the official prediction market partner, ADI Predictstreet.
Prediction market platform Kalshi reported gaining 3 million new users during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which ran from June 11 to July 19. The company also announced a new platform record, with over $1.2 billion in trades made to predict the winner of the tournament, which culminated in Spain's victory over Argentina.
Kalshi undertook a significant marketing presence throughout the World Cup. This included partnerships with football stars such as Luka Modrić of the Croatia national team, who served as a brand ambassador and appeared in a commercial. The platform also collaborated with the Argentina national team, securing a featured post on Lionel Messi's Instagram account, which boasts over 512 million followers. Additionally, a commercial featuring actor Timothée Chalamet was frequently broadcast in the U.S. market.
Despite its widespread advertising, Kalshi was not an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup. The title of "Official Prediction Market Partner" went to a smaller entity, ADI Predictstreet. Kalshi, however, partnered with ADI Predictstreet for co-branded advertising placements. Furthermore, ADI Predictstreet's homepage directed visitors from markets it was legally unable to serve to Kalshi, allowing them to place trades.
Prediction markets like Kalshi have faced criticism regarding allegations of illegal insider trading and concerns that they allow trading on topics with potentially dangerous outcomes. The addictive nature of gambling is also a frequently raised issue, often cited as a reason for heavy regulation in sports betting. Kalshi, however, maintains that it operates as a financial exchange rather than a gambling platform. A company spokesperson stated that users trade against each other, eliminating the platform's incentive to "hook losers and limit winners."
Some U.S. states have challenged prediction markets, arguing that they are conducting illegal sports betting operations and seeking to curb their activities through legal action. Despite these controversies and regulatory scrutiny, prediction markets such as Kalshi continue to experience growth, particularly around major global events like the World Cup.
According to Mashable Tech, this article was updated with Kalshi's statement on July 20, 2026.
