Published on: June 18, 2026, 04:32h.
Updated on: June 18, 2026, 04:32h.
- World Cup triggers an astonishing 90% volume increase on DraftKings Predictions
- The tournament has proven to be a solid customer acquisition strategy for DraftKings
- Parlays are gaining substantial traction among traders
The kickoff of second games in World Cup group play today underscores the event’s robust influence on prediction market platforms, particularly DraftKings (NASDAQ: DKNG).
In just one week since the beginning of this premier soccer tournament, DraftKings Predictions—launched in December—is witnessing an extraordinary 87% rise in volume since the tournament kicked off last Thursday, as reported by the Boston-based company.
The quadrennial event is also proving effective for DraftKings in another critical area: it serves as a powerful tool for customer acquisition, with participation from first-time users of DraftKings Predictions increasing three-fold since the tournament commenced.
It’s important to note that DraftKings Predictions does not provide access to sports event contracts in the states where the company operates online sports betting.
Predictable Growth: Combos Fueling Volume Increase
Approximately a month before the World Cup began, DraftKings Predictions introduced “combos,” which is essentially their term for parlays. Being among the largest sportsbooks in the U.S., the company understands the demand for multi-leg bets and the associated economic advantages.
This strategy is yielding positive results for DraftKings Predictions early in the World Cup, with the yes/no exchange reporting that combos now constitute 40% of its trading volume since the event’s onset.
This aligns with third-party statistics indicating that in recent months, parlays have increasingly dominated the overall volume in prediction markets, largely linked to sports event contracts. The introduction of combos coincided with the NBA Playoffs.
“This launch enhances our predictions platform and aligns with the Super App roadmap outlined in DraftKings’ Q1 2026 earnings report, with further rollouts anticipated soon,” stated the gaming company.
Don’t Overlook Traditional Sports Betting
While prediction markets are becoming a significant avenue for growth and investment for DraftKings, it remains a key player in the U.S. sports betting landscape alongside FanDuel, making it essential to monitor the World Cup’s impact on DraftKings’ sports betting operations.
So far, the outlook is promising. Despite a greater number of live and legal states compared to the 2022 tournament, DraftKings reports an incredible 5x increase in World Cup handle at this juncture.
According to the operator, last week’s matches between the U.S. and Paraguay, as well as Brazil and Morocco, have become the largest soccer events in the company’s history, both in terms of handle and active bettor participation.