Prediction markets are moving into the American mainstream. What started with crypto platforms and academic forecasting tools is now becoming a battleground for major sportsbooks, online casinos, financial-tech firms, and licensed event-contract exchanges.
By 2026, US users should expect a wave of new apps offering markets on politics, weather, macroeconomics, entertainment, technology milestones, and cultural trends—often right beside traditional sports betting.
The shift is driven by two forces: consumer appetite for real-world forecasting tools, and the belief among sports betting sites and applications that prediction markets are the next major product category after sports wagering.
At the same time, the regulatory environment remains fragmented, with federal derivatives rules on one side and state-level gambling objections on the other.
For users, the result is a rapidly expanding but uneven map of what’s available.
Leading US Prediction Platforms in 2026
| Platform | What It Offers | 2026 US Status |
|---|---|---|
| Kalshi | Regulated event-contract exchange trading outcomes in dollars (inflation, elections, economic data, sports-adjacent events). | Nationwide availability varies by state objections; fully CFTC-regulated at the federal level. |
| Polymarket (US Relaunch) | Crypto-based forecasting markets rebuilt for a US-compliant, geo-fenced version focused on high-profile events. | Relaunching in the US with a restricted catalog; broader global version continues abroad. |
| Sportsbook-Built Apps (FanDuel, DraftKings, Fanatics) | App-integrated prediction tabs covering politics, macro data, and cultural events alongside sports. | Rolling out gradually in 2025–26; availability depends on each state’s stance on prediction markets. |
Key Prediction Apps and Forecast Platforms for 2026
Kalshi
Kalshi is the most established regulated event-contract exchange in the US, operating with federal oversight and dollar-settled markets. Users trade “Yes” or “No” contracts on real-world outcomes such as inflation readings, interest-rate moves, government data releases, and selected sports-related events. New partnerships with financial and data companies suggest a larger menu of consumer-product and sports-adjacent markets in 2026. Expect Kalshi to remain the primary venue for traders who want structured, regulated, low-friction forecasting tools.
Polymarket (New US Relaunch)
Polymarket is expected to return to the US with a compliant version of its prediction platform after operating internationally with crypto-denominated contracts. The US version will feature fewer markets but will focus on high-demand categories like elections, major cultural events, and macroeconomic outcomes. Unlike its global platform, the American product will have tighter listing standards and additional compliance checks. Polymarket remains popular among users who prefer fast-moving, community-driven prediction markets.
FanDuel Predicts / FanDuel Markets
FanDuel is building a prediction-market module designed to sit directly inside its existing sportsbook app. The new tab will offer short-term event contracts on economics, political milestones, financial benchmarks, and possibly limited sports-data outcomes where allowed. The structure mirrors regulated event-contract design, with contracts priced between $0 and $1 and fixed maximum risk. FanDuel expects the product to appeal to casual bettors who want forecasting tools without leaving the familiar sportsbook interface.
DraftKings Predictions
DraftKings is developing its own prediction product after acquiring a technology firm specializing in real-world forecasting markets. The platform will allow users to trade event outcomes—elections, economic releases, consumer trends, and scheduled sports-related data—in a regulated format that limits exposure per contract. DraftKings aims to bring a slick, sportsbook-style user experience to a financial-market-like product. Although rollout depends on state approvals, the company is positioning prediction markets as a core part of its next-generation app.
Fanatics Predicts
Fanatics is preparing to launch its prediction module, integrating forecasting tools into its multi-state sportsbook. Powered by an external tech partner, the platform is expected to offer markets on politics, major entertainment moments, cultural events, and potentially sports statistics. The company’s CEO has emphasized that sportsbooks may be better equipped to bring prediction markets to mass audiences than crypto-native platforms. In 2026, Fanatics’ advantage will be distribution across its existing states and the familiarity of its sports-first ecosystem.
Another New Player Eyes the Prediction-Market Boom
The Clearing Co. is the latest startup trying to grab a spot in the fast-growing U.S. prediction-market world. Built by former Polymarket and Kalshi staff, the company is applying for a CFTC clearing-house license so it can power the “plumbing” behind event-contract trading — think settlement, clearing, and all the behind-the-scenes tech that apps rely on. Backed by a reported $15M seed round and led by founder Toni Gemayel, the company says it wants to build regulated, on-chain infrastructure that other apps can plug into. In other words, while FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics are racing to launch their own prediction odds and betting online sites, The Clearing Co. wants to be the engine under the hood that makes those markets possible.
What to Expect From New Prediction Apps in 2026
Prediction apps in 2026 will look much less like sportsbooks and far more like real-time forecasting dashboards for everyday life.
Users will see live markets tied to the news cycle: Bitcoin collapse scenarios trading alongside Fed-rate probabilities, consumer-trend contracts predicting the resale price of viral collectibles on StockX, and political markets ranging from the 2026 midterms to whether Trump releases any Epstein-related files.
Betting platforms are also adopting entertainment and culture forecasting—Spotify Wrapped leaders, Grammy winners, Rotten Tomatoes scores for upcoming films, and even the next TIME Person of the Year. Expect more hyper-specific data markets too, including NYC’s daily high temperature, unemployment releases, Apple CEO succession odds, coaching hires in college football, and the likelihood of new COVID variants. Prediction apps are turning the entire news ecosystem—finance, culture, climate, sports, politics—into tradeable micro-forecasts updated by the minute.
- Blended sports + real-world forecasting: Prediction tabs living inside sportsbook apps will become more common, giving everyday users quick access to political and economic contracts.
- Clearer product categories: Some apps will be framed as financial tools (event contracts), while others will resemble entertainment-driven forecasting games.
- Simplified interfaces: Expect clean, mobile-first designs that make contract trading feel similar to placing a bet or fantasy pick.
- More non-sports categories: Elections, weather, government data, celebrity events, and consumer-trends contracts will expand significantly.
- State-dependent access: Legal availability will vary; some states will allow event markets, some will block them, and others may classify certain markets as gambling.
Are prediction markets considered betting?
It depends on the platform. Federally regulated event-contract exchanges classify them as financial products, while state regulators may treat sportsbook prediction offerings as gambling.
Are prediction apps legal in the US?
Yes, but access varies. Some platforms operate under federal derivatives rules, while sportsbook-based prediction apps must follow state-by-state gambling regulations.
What is the legal age to use these apps?
Most platforms require users to be 18 or older, though some sportsbook-integrated prediction tools require 21+, following state gambling laws.
Do prediction apps offer bonuses or promotions?
Regulated event-contract exchanges rarely offer bonuses. Sportsbook-based prediction tabs may provide small credit offers or free-play promotions similar to sports betting.
How do prediction markets work?
Users buy “Yes” or “No” contracts on real-world outcomes, priced between $0 and $1. If the event happens, “Yes” pays $1; if not, “No” pays $1. The price reflects the market-implied probability.
