Media Troopers Forecasts NFL Growth from Prediction Markets and Betting
United States.- 25 August 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com Media Troopers expects significant year-on-year growth during the upcoming NFL season, driven by the continued expansion of US sports betting and the increasing popularity of prediction-market platforms.
The company believes the 2026 season will represent another stage in the convergence between traditional sportsbooks and event-contract trading.
Prediction Markets Gain Ground
The previous NFL season represented an important turning point for prediction markets as trading became a more regular part of the wagering landscape.
Kalshi emerged as one of the largest platforms in the category, generating more than USD1 billion in trading volume on Super Bowl Sunday.
The wider prediction-market industry has continued expanding since then.
More Platforms for the 2026 Season
Media Troopers expects several companies to drive prediction-market activity during the new NFL campaign.
Platforms highlighted include:
- Kalshi.
- Polymarket.
- Underdog.
- Crypto.com.
Traditional sportsbook operators including FanDuel and DraftKings are also moving to capitalise on both sports wagering and financial-trading verticals.
Sports Betting Continues to Grow
Growth is not limited to prediction markets.
According to figures from the American Gaming Association, approximately USD30 billion was wagered during the previous NFL season.
That represented an 8.5% year-on-year increase.
Media Troopers believes simultaneous growth across both sectors reflects a football audience looking for a wider variety of ways to engage with the NFL.
New Competition for NFL Audiences
The expansion of prediction markets is changing a landscape previously dominated largely by sportsbooks.
Consumers now have a wider range of products through which to take positions on sporting events.
The 2026 NFL season will therefore provide an important test of how traditional sports wagering and prediction markets can coexist and compete.
Media Troopers Expands Capacity
In preparation for the expected increase in activity, Media Troopers has expanded its teams and customer portfolio.
The company plans to provide operators and affiliates with:
- Greater capacity for NFL campaigns.
- New media channels.
- Expanded distribution opportunities.
- Sportsbook-focused campaigns.
- Prediction-market campaigns.
The strategy is designed to capitalise on growth across both verticals.
Statements
Media Troopers CEO Shmulik Segal said the previous NFL season provided the first clear indication of what prediction markets could add to football-focused customer acquisition.
He noted that the market has changed significantly for 2026, with more platforms, customers and media channels now available.
Segal also said the company is already seeing encouraging early traction during preseason and expects the NFL to be one of its strongest growth periods.
Industry Context
Prediction markets are expanding the US ecosystem surrounding sports wagering.
While traditional sportsbooks continue to grow, event-contract platforms are seeking to attract audiences interested in interacting with sporting events through products that differ from conventional betting.
Given its commercial scale and ability to drive engagement, the NFL is becoming one of the most important testing grounds for that convergence.
Next Steps or Impact
Media Troopers expects increased platform and product availability to generate additional acquisition and marketing opportunities during the 2026 season.
The campaign will provide further evidence of whether prediction markets and sportsbooks can continue growing alongside each other while competing for similar users.
For operators and affiliates, the NFL could become one of the most important growth drivers of the year across both verticals.
Editó: @fonta
