In a remarkable turn of events, ADI Predictstreet, a relatively unknown prediction-market brand, has quickly transformed from acquiring a new license in a small British territory to becoming a prominent name associated with the FIFA World Cup. The brand has made its mark by becoming the official prediction market for the FIFA World Cup 2026, linking itself to one of the largest sporting events globally while navigating a challenging regulatory landscape in the U.S.
The license that enabled this rapid ascent was granted by Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory known for its small size and population of under 45,000. This license allowed ADI Predictstreet to operate in a space where numerous U.S. states are either contesting or restricting prediction markets.
The pace of ADI Predictstreet's progress has drawn significant attention within the industry. The company secured its Gibraltar license in April and shortly thereafter entered into a multi-year agreement with FIFA, marking a historic moment as the first official partner in the prediction market sector. By late May, ADI Predictstreet had also established a partnership with a U.S. distributor.
The collaboration culminated on May 27 when Fanatics Markets, a subsidiary of the sports merchandise giant, launched a co-branded FIFA World Cup 2026 Hub. This initiative made prediction markets accessible across 23 U.S. states and four territories.
The swift transition from obtaining a license to forming a partnership with FIFA and launching in the U.S. is notable by gambling industry standards, showcasing an example of regulatory innovation.
ADI Predictstreet's product is entering the U.S. market without being categorized as traditional sports betting. This occurs amid ongoing legal discussions regarding whether prediction markets should be classified under federal commodities law, state gambling law, or a combination of both.
The urgency of this development is underscored by the World Cup's potential as a lucrative commercial opportunity in global gambling. In 2022, Barclays estimated that approximately $35 billion would be wagered on the tournament in Qatar, reflecting a 65% increase from 2018. Projections for 2026 suggest this figure could reach $50 billion.
The U.S. market shows particularly strong growth potential. The 2022 World Cup was the first held after the legalization of sports betting in the U.S., with the American Gaming Association estimating that around 20.5 million adult Americans would wager approximately $1.8 billion during the event. This was modest compared to the $7.6 billion bet on that year’s Super Bowl.
However, forecasts indicate that the betting handle for the 2026 tournament could exceed $4 billion, driven by the expansion of the tournament from 64 to 104 matches with 48 teams participating. This increase in games will create more betting opportunities and extend engagement.
Additionally, the 2026 World Cup will be the first hosted in North America since 1994, coinciding with the rapid growth of prediction markets over the past year.
The partnership's structure allows ADI Predictstreet to provide the World Cup branding, FIFA affiliation, and official statistics via its Gibraltar license, while Fanatics Markets offers the U.S. platform and customer access through its app ecosystem. Notably, Fanatics does not operate the exchange infrastructure directly; instead, contracts are listed on Crypto.com’s CFTC-regulated exchange, with Fanatics facilitating consumer access.
This arrangement enables U.S. users to engage with the World Cup Hub through a federally regulated derivatives framework, distinguishing it from traditional state-licensed sportsbooks.