Major League Soccer has teamed up with Polymarket in a multi-year partnership that positions the fast-growing prediction market platform as the league’s exclusive partner across its regular season, playoffs, and All-Star Game.
Tapping Into Fan Forecasts
With soccer continuing to gain ground in the U.S., the MLS is betting that fans want more than just scores and highlights, they want a say. The deal gives Polymarket the right to run markets on MLS events, including match results and key moments, where users vote on outcomes using “yes” or “no” contracts.
“Through our partnership with MLS and Leagues Cup, we can surface real-time collective sentiment,” said Polymarket founder and CEO Shayne Coplan. “It’s a more interactive, data-driven way to experience the world’s most popular sport.”
The partnership also extends to the Leagues Cup, a tournament featuring teams from both MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX.
Eyes on Integrity, Not Just Innovation
The league isn’t leaping into prediction markets blindly. MLS says it will implement third-party monitoring to track trading patterns and review what Polymarket is allowed to offer. These steps aim to keep the games clean and prevent any misuse of inside information.
MLS Deputy Commissioner Gary Stevenson described the partnership as a move to embrace emerging formats that bring fans closer to the game. “Prediction markets offer a unique engagement format,” he said. “This aligns with our mission to innovate and lead among global soccer leagues.”
Prediction Markets Under the Microscope
While MLS is forging ahead, legal uncertainty still hangs over the prediction market space. Kalshi, Polymarket’s main competitor, is already facing lawsuits in multiple states, including New Jersey and Ohio, over its contracts tied to sporting events. Massachusetts recently issued a court injunction against Kalshi, though it’s currently on hold.
Polymarket, which is not officially licensed as a sportsbook, operates in a legal gray area—regulated not by state gaming boards but by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). That hasn’t stopped scrutiny from regulators, especially as these platforms start to look a lot like sports betting.
A Credibility Play
Despite the legal headwinds, partnerships like this one give prediction markets something they’ve been chasing: legitimacy. Just like DraftKings or FanDuel, Polymarket now has access to official league data, logos, and advertising placements during broadcasts.
It’s a smart brand move, especially with the new MLS season kicking off February 22. It also mirrors a similar deal Polymarket and Kalshi signed with the NHL in 2025, which gave both platforms expanded visibility during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Betting or Not, It’s All About Engagement
For the average soccer fan, this could mean seeing Polymarket lines embedded in match coverage or popping up during live streams. Whether fans actually place a prediction or not, the leagues are clearly hoping the format will keep them more glued to the action.
And with other players like DAZN already jumping into the prediction market pool, it looks like this trend isn’t cooling off anytime soon—even if the legal waters remain choppy.
