Published on: April 13, 2026, at 05:49h.
Updated on: April 13, 2026, at 05:49h.
- The Masters topped Kalshi as the most wagered sporting event ever recorded.
- In contrast, Super Bowl wagers were scattered among multiple derivatives.
- The “Masters Champion” contract was the second most popular in Kalshi’s history.
The Masters provided an incredible boost for Kalshi, accumulating $545 million in trading volume, marking it as the most bet-on sporting event ever in the platform’s history. However, this figure tells only part of the story.
The astonishing $545 million turnover during golf’s inaugural major event denotes that the Masters was the most heavily wagered event in Kalshi history. In comparison, estimates for the Super Bowl trading volume fluctuate between $871 million and $1 billion, with many of these bets linked to derivatives unrelated to the game itself. In contrast, the entire trading volume related to the Masters focused specifically on the tournament.
On top of that, the $545 million figure represents nearly a 10% increase over the $500 million exchanged during both the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Tournaments combined.
Additionally, the estimated volume of $460 million for the “Masters Champion” contract—pertaining to the winner of the tournament—remains the second most traded contract in Kalshi’s history, following closely behind the $535 million wagered on the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.
Masters Showcase the Advantages for Kalshi
While golf typically falls into the “other” category for conventional sportsbooks, overshadowed by football, basketball, and baseball, the mechanics of prediction markets may invigorate interest in golf among bettors, especially those with considerable funds.
Most golf competitions, including majors like the Masters, span four days, offering active traders and savvy bettors numerous opportunities to hedge, secure profits, and reposition their bets. Indeed, major golf events and even the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments present promising trading opportunities for the sharp bettors Kalshi and similar prediction markets are attracting.
Market analysts noted that the prominence of the outright winner market emphasized golf’s unique attractiveness to prediction market traders, who appreciate multi-day events with evolving odds and substantial liquidity,” according to Seeking Alpha.
High-stakes bettors play a crucial role in the growth of prediction markets, providing much-needed liquidity and helping maintain tight spreads on various contracts. Compared to traditional sportsbooks, yes/no exchanges offer better opportunities for these bettors, who often face limitations or exclusions elsewhere.
Kalshi’s Remarkable Week
Following the surge from the Masters, along with contributions from political and war derivatives related to Iran, Kalshi’s volume hit a remarkable $3.4 billion last week, establishing the company’s highest weekly total to date. Sports event contracts accounted for more than 85% of that volume.
Looking ahead, golf could significantly enhance prediction markets, as upcoming events like the PGA Championship in a month, followed by the US Open in June and The Open Championship in July, will expand the sample size.