Last updated: 2026-05-28
Just want the verdict? Jump to the per-persona verdict — Kalshi for US sports (NFL, NCAA, UFC, F1), Polymarket for global sports and championships, Robinhood for marquee mobile-first coverage. Already use sportsbooks? Skip to why prediction markets are a different product than sportsbooks — the legal and economic differences matter. New here? Read what event contracts actually are first — five minutes, no jargon.
Sports prediction markets process over $50 million during the Super Bowl alone — but most of it isn’t on Polymarket. The bulk of US sports-event-contract volume in 2026 sits on Kalshi, which has aggressively expanded NFL, NCAA, UFC, and F1 coverage since 2024 and is now the structural winner for US sports prediction markets. Sourced from each platform’s published sports-market catalogs, CFTC filings on sports event contracts, the active state-level enforcement actions in NV/NJ/MA, and recent Super Bowl LX trading-volume reporting — here is the per-persona answer to where US sports prediction markets actually trade best in 2026.
Sports prediction markets in one sentence: Kalshi is the structural winner for US sports event contracts (NFL, NCAA, UFC, F1, Super Bowl) under CFTC regulation, Polymarket has deeper books on global championships (World Cup, Olympics, Champions League) and US Super Bowl winner markets, and Robinhood Event Contracts offers curated Super Bowl and March Madness coverage on mobile.
We may earn a commission when you sign up. Learn more. Trading event contracts involves risk of loss — nothing on this page is financial advice.
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Trading event contracts involves risk of loss — you can lose your entire stake. US residents only. State availability varies — sports event contracts contested in NV, MA, NJ. Terms apply.
Important: prediction markets are a different product than traditional sportsbooks
Before we rank platforms, a critical distinction. Sports prediction markets and traditional sportsbooks are different products, not competitors selling the same thing differently.
- Traditional sportsbooks (DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars) offer fixed-odds bets at point-spread, moneyline, totals, prop lines, and in-game live betting. The sportsbook is your counterparty — it sets the line, takes a vig (typically 4.55% on standard -110 odds), and pays you on win. You cannot exit before the game ends except with limited cash-out features. State-licensed and regulated as gambling.
- Sports prediction markets (Kalshi, Polymarket, Robinhood Event Contracts) offer binary YES/NO event contracts that trade on an exchange. Other traders are your counterparty — prices move continuously based on order-book activity, there is no house edge / vig, you can sell positions before the event resolves to lock in profit or limit loss. CFTC-regulated as swaps under the Commodity Exchange Act.
These are different audiences in many ways:
- Sportsbook bettors generally want point-spread and moneyline action with live in-game betting and same-game parlays — a market structure prediction markets are not built for
- Prediction-market traders generally want season-long futures, championship outcomes, and binary YES/NO season-ending questions where the trading-mechanic and exit-before-resolution feature add real value
This article is about sports prediction markets (Kalshi, Polymarket, Robinhood Event Contracts) — the binary event-contract product. If you are looking for traditional sportsbook coverage, see best sports betting alternatives 2026 for our piece on the sportsbook-vs-prediction-market distinction.
TL;DR — the best sports prediction markets at a glance
| Platform | Best for | Key edge | Current welcome offer | Sub-tracked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalshi | US sports event contracts (NFL, NCAA, UFC, F1, Super Bowl) | Aggressive 2024–2026 sports expansion; CFTC-regulated; Super Bowl LX largest single-event coverage | Terms vary — see live offer at sign-up + ~3.50% APY | best-sports-kalshi |
| Polymarket | Global championships, Super Bowl winner, World Cup, Olympics | Deepest order books on global sporting events; CFTC-regulated via QCEX | Terms vary — see live offer at sign-up | best-sports-polymarket |
| Robinhood Event Contracts | Curated Super Bowl + March Madness on mobile | Marquee event coverage inside the same app as your stocks | Randomized reward stock (current value varies) | best-sports-robinhood |
Quick verdict by persona:
- US sports trader who wants depth on NFL, NCAA, UFC, F1 → Kalshi
- Global sports trader who wants World Cup, Olympics, Champions League, plus deepest Super Bowl winner markets → Polymarket
- Mobile-first user already on Robinhood who wants curated Super Bowl and March Madness → Robinhood Event Contracts
Why this is Kalshi’s category in 2026
Kalshi rolled out sports event contracts in 2024 and has aggressively expanded the catalog through 2025–2026. By early 2026, Kalshi offers more US sports event contracts than any other CFTC-regulated platform — and is the structural winner for game-by-game NFL, NCAA basketball, UFC, F1, and Super Bowl event-contract coverage.
What changed: before 2024, prediction-market sports coverage was thin and event-driven (a Super Bowl winner market on Polymarket, a World Cup market, occasional championship markets). Kalshi’s 2024–2025 push built out:
- NFL game-by-game outcome markets (every game, every week of the regular season and playoffs)
- College football game and championship markets
- NCAA basketball tournament markets (March Madness brackets, individual game outcomes)
- UFC fight outcome markets
- F1 race winner and championship markets
- Super Bowl winner, MVP, halftime show, and game-prop event contracts
- NBA game and series outcome markets (the post-2024 Kalshi expansion area)
- Tennis, golf, and growing soccer coverage
The legal context: Kalshi positions sports event contracts as federally-regulated CFTC swaps, not sportsbook bets. State gaming regulators — particularly in Nevada (Gaming Control Board), New Jersey (DGE), and Massachusetts (AG) — have argued in court that sports event contracts are economically equivalent to gambling and should be regulated as such. The federal-vs-state question is being litigated. As of 2026, Kalshi continues operating sports event contracts nationwide pending appellate review, but the legal landscape will keep evolving through 2027.
Top platforms for SPORTS prediction markets
1. Kalshi — best for US sports event contracts
Best for: US sports event traders who want depth on NFL, NCAA, UFC, F1, and Super Bowl.
Kalshi is the structural winner for US sports event contracts in 2026. The platform’s 2024–2026 sports expansion built out the most comprehensive US sports event-contract catalog available — game-by-game NFL, NCAA tournament brackets, UFC fight cards, F1 race winners, Super Bowl winner and MVP, NBA series markets. The CFTC-regulated structure provides federal preemption that applies in all 50 states, though sports event contracts face active state-level challenges in NV, NJ, and MA.
What you get on Kalshi for sports event contracts:
- NFL — every game outcome, season-long division-winner markets, playoff brackets, Super Bowl winner / MVP / game props
- NCAA basketball — March Madness tournament brackets, individual game outcomes, conference championships
- College football — game outcomes, conference championships, playoff seedings, national-championship markets
- UFC — fight outcome event contracts (round, method, fighter winner)
- F1 — race winner, championship-points markets, podium-finish markets
- NBA — game outcomes, playoff series markets, championship markets
- Tennis Grand Slam markets
- Golf majors markets
- Soccer / MLS markets
- US-only macro and event sports markets where US institutional flow concentrates
- ~3.50% APY on idle cash and open positions
- All 50 US states + DC availability for non-sports markets; sports contracts contested in NV, NJ, MA
Super Bowl LX coverage. Super Bowl LX (February 2026) was the largest single-event sports prediction-market trading session ever on Kalshi — by some accounts, well over $50M in cumulative trading volume across Super Bowl winner, MVP, and game-prop event contracts. The growth pattern: every major US sports event (NFL playoffs, March Madness, NBA Finals, Super Bowl) now drives a major liquidity spike on Kalshi.
The state-level catch. If you live in Nevada, New Jersey, or Massachusetts, sports event contracts may be contested or restricted in your state. Kalshi continues operating pending appellate review, but verify in-app availability before depositing. Non-sports markets (politics, economics, weather) are unaffected — only sports event contracts face state-level challenges.
We may earn a commission when you sign up. Learn more. Trading event contracts involves risk of loss.
Open my Kalshi account + earn ~3.50% APY on idle cash → ACH funded · Trade my first NFL or NCAA contract today.
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Trading event contracts involves risk of loss. US residents only. Sports event contracts contested in NV, NJ, MA. Any welcome offer terms vary.
For the full Kalshi deep dive, see our Kalshi breakdown — or read head-to-head: Kalshi and Polymarket for the cross-platform comparison.
2. Polymarket — best for global sports and championships
Best for: Global sports traders who want depth on World Cup, Olympics, Champions League, plus the deepest Super Bowl winner and championship markets.
Polymarket is not the structural winner for US game-by-game sports coverage — Kalshi has more NFL game-by-game listings, more NCAA basketball game-by-game depth, more UFC fight cards. But Polymarket has the deepest order books on global sporting events, on Super Bowl winner futures, on championship markets, and on season-long sports questions where international participation matters.
What you get on Polymarket for sports event contracts:
- Super Bowl winner — typically the deepest order book on the marquee Super Bowl winner market each NFL season
- World Cup, World Cup qualification, FIFA tournament markets — deepest global liquidity
- Olympics medal-table and individual-event markets
- Champions League, EPL, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, MLS — deepest soccer markets
- F1 championship and race winner markets
- Tennis Grand Slam and ATP tour markets
- MMA / UFC (lighter coverage than Kalshi but available)
- NBA Finals, NCAA basketball tournament markets
- 0% trading fees on most markets; peak 0.75% taker on the Sports dynamic-fee tier
- Apple Pay, Google Pay, ACH, debit, wire, USDC funding
The deep-books edge on Super Bowl winner. Polymarket consistently has the deepest single-market order book on the Super Bowl winner market each NFL season — easily six-figure positions absorbed with minimal slippage. For trading season-long futures and championship outcomes, Polymarket’s liquidity advantage over Kalshi is meaningful even when Kalshi has more game-by-game listings.
State availability: Polymarket US is currently restricted in AZ, IL, MA, MD, MI, MT, NV, OH (per partner pages; verify on polymarket.com directly). If you live in those states, Kalshi is your default for sports event contracts.
We may earn a commission when you sign up. Learn more. Trading event contracts involves risk of loss.
Open my Polymarket account for sports trading → Sign up via Bellwether’s link · Trade my first Super Bowl or World Cup contract today.
Sign up via Bellwether’s link →
Trading event contracts involves risk of loss. US residents only. State availability varies. Terms apply.
For the full Polymarket deep dive, see our Polymarket breakdown.
3. Robinhood Event Contracts — best for curated Super Bowl and March Madness on mobile
Best for: Users already on Robinhood who want curated Super Bowl, March Madness, and select pro sports outcome markets inside the same app as their stocks.
Robinhood Event Contracts curates a smaller sports-market menu than either Kalshi or Polymarket. The product is designed for the existing Robinhood retail-brokerage audience — users who want a clean Super Bowl winner market, a March Madness bracket-tournament market, and select pro-sports outcome markets, inside the same app they already use for stocks.
What you get on Robinhood Event Contracts for sports:
- Super Bowl winner and select Super Bowl game-prop markets
- March Madness tournament bracket markets (championship outcomes, regional outcomes)
- Select pro-sports championship outcome markets (NBA Finals winner, NFL division winner)
- Mobile-first UX inside the existing Robinhood app
- Robinhood’s standard randomized reward stock on new brokerage-account sign-up (current value varies)
- CFTC-cleared event contracts via Kalshi or other DCM partners
- Instant access from existing Robinhood balance
What to know: the catalog is much smaller than Kalshi or Polymarket. Game-by-game NFL, individual UFC fights, F1 race-by-race, and tournament-level NCAA detail are not on Robinhood. If you want a simple Super Bowl winner market or a March Madness bracket and you already have a Robinhood account, this is the lowest-friction option.
We may earn a commission when you sign up. Learn more. Trading event contracts involves risk of loss.
Open my Robinhood account → Sign up via Bellwether’s link · Enable Event Contracts · Place my first Super Bowl or March Madness trade.
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Robinhood issues a randomized reward stock on new account sign-up (current value varies). Trading event contracts involves risk of loss. US residents only. State availability varies. Terms apply.
For the Robinhood deep dive, see our Robinhood Event Contracts breakdown.
Sports prediction markets comparison table
| Feature | Kalshi | Polymarket | Robinhood EC |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL game-by-game coverage | Deep — every game | Selected marquee + Super Bowl | Marquee only |
| NCAA basketball coverage | Deep — March Madness brackets, individual games | Selected — championship outcomes | March Madness brackets |
| UFC coverage | Deep — fight cards | Lighter | None |
| F1 coverage | Deep — race winner + championship | Selected — championship + key races | None |
| Super Bowl coverage | Deep — winner, MVP, game props | Deepest single-market on Super Bowl winner | Curated — winner + select props |
| World Cup / Olympics / Champions League | Limited | Deepest global liquidity | None |
| Geographic access | All 50 states + DC; sports contested in NV, NJ, MA | Most US states; restricted in AZ, IL, MA, MD, MI, MT, NV, OH | Per Robinhood state availability |
| Sports market fees | Variable per-contract, ~$1.75 peak per $100 | Peak 0.75% taker (Sports), mirror around 50¢ | Per Robinhood DCM partner pricing |
| Current welcome offer | Terms vary — see live offer at sign-up + ~3.50% APY | Terms vary — see live offer at sign-up | Randomized reward stock (current value varies) |
| Funding methods | ACH, debit, wire | Apple Pay, Google Pay, ACH, debit, wire, USDC | Existing Robinhood balance |
| Mobile app rating | iOS 4.7 / Android 4.4 | iOS 4.7 / Android 1.8 | Robinhood app (iOS 4.7+, Android 4.5+) |
| Best for | US sports event contracts | Global sports + Super Bowl winner | Curated Super Bowl + March Madness |
Sports event-contract category coverage by platform
A snapshot of late-May 2026 sports coverage by category:
NFL
- Kalshi: Every game, every week of regular season and playoffs. Super Bowl LX coverage was the largest single-event sports trading session ever on Kalshi.
- Polymarket: Super Bowl winner (deepest market), select playoff matchup markets, division-winner futures.
- Robinhood Event Contracts: Super Bowl winner, select game props, division-winner markets.
NCAA Basketball
- Kalshi: March Madness bracket markets, individual tournament game outcomes, conference tournament outcomes, regular-season ranked-team game outcomes.
- Polymarket: Selected championship and Final Four markets.
- Robinhood Event Contracts: March Madness bracket-tournament markets.
UFC
- Kalshi: Fight outcome event contracts on major UFC cards (round, method, fighter winner).
- Polymarket: Lighter UFC coverage, primarily marquee championship fights.
- Robinhood Event Contracts: No UFC coverage.
F1
- Kalshi: Race winner markets for every F1 race; championship-points markets; podium-finish markets.
- Polymarket: Championship winner markets; selected race winner markets.
- Robinhood Event Contracts: No F1 coverage.
Soccer (Global)
- Kalshi: Growing coverage of MLS, EPL, selected Champions League.
- Polymarket: Deepest global liquidity — Champions League, EPL, La Liga, Serie A, World Cup, MLS.
- Robinhood Event Contracts: No soccer coverage.
NBA
- Kalshi: Game and series outcome markets, playoff brackets, NBA Finals MVP.
- Polymarket: NBA Finals winner (deep), championship markets.
- Robinhood Event Contracts: Select playoff and Finals markets.
Tennis
- Kalshi: Grand Slam tournament markets, selected ATP tour markets.
- Polymarket: Grand Slam markets, ATP / WTA tournament outcomes.
- Robinhood Event Contracts: No tennis coverage.
Golf
- Kalshi: Major tournament outcomes.
- Polymarket: Major tournament outcomes.
- Robinhood Event Contracts: No golf coverage.
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What r/Kalshi traders say about NFL game-by-game coverage:
“Kalshi NFL coverage in 2026 is on a different level than 2024. Every game has tight spreads, the playoff bracket markets fill out, Super Bowl LX was the deepest single-event trading I’ve seen on a CFTC-regulated platform. The 3.50% APY on idle cash means I can park my football bankroll between weeks without losing edge. The state-level challenges in NV and NJ are real but for most of us in the rest of the country sports event contracts are working.”
— Synthesis of three r/Kalshi posts, Q4 2025–Q1 2026
What r/Polymarket traders say about Super Bowl winner depth:
“Polymarket has the deepest Super Bowl winner book by far — I’ve moved high-five-figure positions on the Super Bowl winner market with no slippage worth mentioning. The 0.75% peak Sports fee is fair given the depth. For NFL game-by-game I use Kalshi, but for the Super Bowl winner future I stick with Polymarket every year.”
— Synthesis of three r/Polymarket threads, Q4 2025–Q1 2026
How sports market fees compare in practice
A $100 trade on a marquee sports market at the 50-cent price point — the peak fee zone:
| Platform | Fee on $100 trade (at 50¢) | Effective all-in cost |
|---|---|---|
| Polymarket Sports | ~$0.75 (0.75% taker peak — cheapest peak in the category) | $0.75 |
| Kalshi (variable per-contract) | ~$1.75 peak | $1.75 trading fee, offset by ~3.50% APY on idle cash |
| Robinhood Event Contracts | Per-contract, varies | Varies per DCM partner pricing |
On pure trade-cost, Polymarket is the cheapest of the three for sports event contracts at peak. Kalshi’s hidden edge is the interest yield — if you hold significant balance idle between trades (especially between NFL weeks), the ~3.50% APY meaningfully changes all-in math. For active small-ticket sports traders, Polymarket’s 0.75% peak Sports fee is structurally the lowest peak in the category.
The arbitrage angle. Cross-platform sports arbitrage between Kalshi and Polymarket on Super Bowl winner markets, NBA Finals winner markets, and championship markets is one of the most consistent edges available — but only if the contracts have identical resolution criteria.
For the cross-platform arbitrage mechanics, see head-to-head: Kalshi and Polymarket.
State availability — the practical filter
Sports event contracts face state-level challenges that other prediction-market categories do not. Always check each platform’s own state-availability page before depositing.
| State | Kalshi (sports) | Polymarket (sports) | Robinhood EC (sports) |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Available (pending state action review) | Restricted / changing — verify | Available |
| Texas | Available | Available | Available |
| Florida | Available | Available | Available |
| New York | Available | Available | Available |
| Illinois | Available (sports under review) | Not currently available | Available |
| Nevada | Sports contracts contested | Not currently available | Verify in-app |
| Massachusetts | Sports contracts contested | Not currently available | Verify in-app |
| New Jersey | Sports contracts contested | Available | Verify in-app |
| Arizona | Available | Not currently available | Available |
| Ohio | Available | Not currently available | Available |
The Nevada, New Jersey, and Massachusetts sports-contract challenges are the highest-stakes regulatory question for the sports event-contract category in 2026–2027. As of 2026, Kalshi continues operating sports event contracts pending appellate review, but the legal landscape will keep evolving.
Full state guides: California guide · Texas state breakdown · Florida guide.
Verdict — the per-persona winner for best sports prediction markets
There is no single “best” sports prediction market platform — the right answer depends on what kind of sports trader you are. Here is the per-persona breakdown.
If you are a US sports trader (NFL, NCAA, UFC, F1) → Kalshi
Kalshi is the structural winner for US sports event contracts in 2026. Game-by-game NFL coverage, March Madness bracket depth, UFC fight cards, F1 race winners, Super Bowl winner / MVP / game props. The CFTC regulatory framework provides federal preemption that applies in all 50 states (though sports contracts are contested in NV, NJ, MA). The ~3.50% APY on idle cash is meaningful for hold-and-trade strategies between NFL weeks.
If you are a global sports trader → Polymarket
Polymarket has the deepest order books on global sporting events — World Cup, Olympics, Champions League, EPL — and the single-deepest book on Super Bowl winner futures. The 0.75% peak Sports fee is structurally the lowest peak in the category. If you trade global sports or sized Super Bowl winner positions, this is your platform.
If you are a mobile-first user already on Robinhood → Robinhood Event Contracts
Curated Super Bowl, March Madness, and select pro-sports outcome markets inside the same app as your stocks. Smallest market menu of the three, but lowest friction if you are already a Robinhood user.
The “use both” answer — Kalshi plus Polymarket
The pattern most serious US sports prediction-market traders converge on is Kalshi plus Polymarket. Kalshi for US game-by-game coverage (NFL, NCAA, UFC, F1), Polymarket for the deepest Super Bowl winner books and global sports markets. Cross-platform arbitrage on Super Bowl winner and championship markets is one of the most consistent edges available.
We may earn a commission when you sign up. Learn more. Trading event contracts involves risk of loss.
Open my Kalshi account + earn ~3.50% APY on idle cash →
Sign up via Bellwether’s link →
Open my Polymarket account for sports trading → Sign up via Bellwether’s link · Trade my first Super Bowl or World Cup contract today.
Sign up via Bellwether’s link →
Trading event contracts involves risk of loss. US residents only. State availability varies. Terms apply.
Ready to move?
You’ve seen the depth. If you’ve decided, here’s the shortest path to a funded account:
- Kalshi route (deepest US sports coverage): Sign up via Bellwether’s link →
- Polymarket route (deepest Super Bowl winner): Sign up via Bellwether’s link →
- Robinhood Event Contracts route (if you already use Robinhood): Sign up via Bellwether’s link →
- Want to stack all three? Read the bonus stack guide — current welcome offers vary by platform.
- Want the sportsbook-vs-prediction-market context? Best sports betting alternatives 2026 covers the distinction.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best platform for sports prediction markets in 2026?
It depends on what you trade. Kalshi is the structural winner for US sports event contracts (NFL, NCAA, UFC, F1, Super Bowl game-by-game and prop coverage) under CFTC regulation. Polymarket has deeper books on global sports (World Cup, Olympics, Champions League) and the single-deepest book on Super Bowl winner futures. Robinhood Event Contracts curates marquee Super Bowl and March Madness markets for the existing-Robinhood-user audience.
Are sports prediction markets the same as sportsbooks?
No — they are different products. Traditional sportsbooks (DraftKings, FanDuel) offer fixed-odds bets at point-spread, moneyline, and totals — the sportsbook is your counterparty, takes a vig, and you cannot exit before the game ends. Sports prediction markets (Kalshi, Polymarket, Robinhood Event Contracts) offer binary YES/NO event contracts that trade on an exchange — other traders are your counterparty, prices move continuously, you can sell positions before the event resolves. Different products for different audiences.
How much volume did Kalshi process on Super Bowl LX?
Super Bowl LX (February 2026) was the largest single-event sports prediction-market trading session ever on Kalshi — by some accounts well over $50 million in cumulative trading volume across Super Bowl winner, MVP, and game-prop event contracts. Sports prediction markets process over $50 million during the Super Bowl alone across all platforms.
Why are sports event contracts contested in Nevada, New Jersey, and Massachusetts?
State gaming regulators in those states have argued that sports event contracts are economically equivalent to gambling and should be regulated under state gambling law, not federal CFTC oversight. The CFTC’s position is that event contracts on Designated Contract Markets are swaps that benefit from federal preemption. The federal-vs-state question is being litigated. As of 2026, Kalshi continues operating sports event contracts in those states pending appellate review.
What sports does Kalshi cover?
Kalshi’s sports event-contract catalog in 2026 covers: NFL (every game), NCAA basketball (March Madness brackets + individual games), college football (game outcomes + championships), UFC (fight cards), F1 (race winners + championships), NBA (games + series + Finals), tennis Grand Slams, golf majors, growing soccer / MLS coverage.
What sports does Polymarket cover best?
Polymarket has the deepest order books on: Super Bowl winner (each NFL season), World Cup, Olympics, Champions League, EPL, La Liga, Serie A, MLS, F1 championship, tennis Grand Slams, NBA Finals winner. Polymarket’s strength is global sports liquidity and championship futures, not US game-by-game coverage.
Can I arbitrage sports markets between Kalshi and Polymarket?
Yes — cross-platform sports arbitrage between Kalshi and Polymarket on Super Bowl winner, NBA Finals winner, and championship markets is one of the most consistent edges available. The caveats: contract specifications can differ subtly (resolution source, eligibility wording, close date), fees on both legs eat a lot of the apparent spread, you need funded accounts on both platforms.
What are the sports market fees on each platform?
- Polymarket Sports: peak 0.75% taker (cheapest peak in the category), mirror around 50¢
- Kalshi: variable per-contract fee, ~$1.75 peak per $100 traded at the 50-cent zone, offset by ~3.50% APY on idle cash
- Robinhood Event Contracts: per-contract, varies per DCM partner pricing
What welcome offers are available on each sports prediction market?
- Kalshi: Runs an active welcome program distributed through its referral system. Current bonus terms vary; sign up via Bellwether’s link to see the live offer.
- Polymarket: Runs media-partner welcome codes that rotate. Signing up via Bellwether’s link routes to Polymarket’s current public offer; the specific bonus you’ll see depends on the partner code surfaced at sign-up.
- Robinhood Event Contracts: Randomized reward stock on new brokerage-account sign-up (current value varies).
How do I get the live Kalshi sports welcome offer?
Sign up via Bellwether’s link, complete KYC, fund via ACH (same-day settlement on most US banks), and place your first qualifying trade. Any trading credit Kalshi has live in its current referral program is what you’ll see — specific terms vary.
How do I get the live Polymarket sports welcome offer?
Sign up via Bellwether’s link, complete KYC, fund via Apple Pay, Google Pay, ACH, debit, or USDC, and place your first qualifying sports-market trade. Whatever welcome offer Polymarket has live in its current public sign-up flow is what you’ll see — the specific bonus value depends on the partner code surfaced at sign-up.
Are prediction-market sports event contracts legal in the US?
Yes, on CFTC-regulated platforms. Sports event contracts on Kalshi (CFTC-regulated since November 2020) and Polymarket US (CFTC-regulated via QCEX since December 2025) are classified as swaps under the Commodity Exchange Act, with federal preemption of state gambling laws. State-level challenges to sports event contracts in NV, NJ, MA are active but the platforms continue operating pending appellate review.
Final word
The best sports prediction market platform in 2026 depends on what kind of sports you trade. For US sports (NFL, NCAA, UFC, F1, Super Bowl game-by-game and prop coverage) → Kalshi. For global sports (World Cup, Olympics, Champions League) and the deepest Super Bowl winner futures → Polymarket. For curated Super Bowl and March Madness on mobile inside the existing-Robinhood app → Robinhood Event Contracts.
Most serious US sports prediction-market traders converge on Kalshi plus Polymarket. Kalshi for US game-by-game depth, Polymarket for global sports and the deepest Super Bowl winner books. Cross-platform arbitrage is a recurring edge.
Trading sports event contracts involves real risk of loss. Sports markets can move violently on injury news, weather, line-up changes, or surprise upsets. Treat sports trading capital as risk capital — money you can afford to lose. Sports event contracts also face active state-level legal challenges in NV, NJ, MA — verify state availability before depositing.
By Marcus Bell · Sports Markets Analyst, Bellwether · Last updated: 2026-05-28 — we update this page when regulators issue new guidance, fees change, or new platforms launch.
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Keep reading: Kalshi’s CFTC posture explained · our Polymarket breakdown · Robinhood Event Contracts review · head-to-head: Kalshi and Polymarket · the basics of prediction markets · is Kalshi gambling? · the bonus stack · best sports betting alternatives · best for election markets · California guide.
Next: Best sports betting alternatives 2026 — sportsbooks vs prediction markets