The NFL announced new multi-year sports betting partnerships with DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics shortly before the 2026 season opener. However, despite ongoing discussions with prediction-market platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket, the league will not formalize any deals with these firms before the season begins. Sources close to the league indicate the NFL remains cautious and unprepared to enter the prediction-market space, largely due to concerns about regulatory frameworks and the integrity of certain betting markets.

At the heart of the NFL’s hesitation are unresolved issues with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) proposed regulations, which the league argues fail to adequately protect against market manipulation and safeguard consumer interests. The NFL has specifically raised alarms about prediction markets related to player injuries or participation, deeming them vulnerable to manipulation and disrespectful to athletes. While Kalshi currently offers markets forecasting player participation, and Polymarket had filed but withdrawn similar offerings, the NFL’s stance is firm against these types of wagers, which it categorizes among prohibited betting categories.

Despite the league’s reluctance to approve prediction-market partnerships at the official NFL level, individual NFL teams have shown interest in forming their own commercial relationships with platforms in this space. Nevertheless, league rules currently prohibit team-level deals with prediction-market companies. This cautious approach mirrors the NFL’s recent history with sports betting, which it embraced later than other major North American leagues. Meanwhile, leagues like the NHL and MLB have already established prediction-market partnerships at both league and individual team levels, with several teams securing deals independently, signaling a divergence in pace across pro sports organizations.

Executives including NFL EVP and chief revenue officer Renie Anderson have emphasized that, for now, prediction markets are not part of the league’s commercial strategy. The NFL remains focused on ensuring appropriate regulation and protections before engaging in this emerging market segment. Meanwhile, competition among sports betting operators is intensifying for the NFL audience, but prediction markets will likely remain on the sidelines for this season. Observers expect other leagues such as the NBA may move faster in adopting prediction-market collaborations, leaving the NFL watching closely but waiting cautiously for regulatory clarity.