As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, analysts from Bernstein highlight DraftKings as the primary beneficiary of the event, thanks to its strong marketing partnerships with NBCUniversal and Telemundo, which provide access to a key demographic of soccer bettors. Analyst Ian Moore noted that DraftKings' Spanish-language app is particularly well-placed to attract high-intent bettors.
The company has also reported a 24% increase in its prediction markets business, reaching $1.3 billion in annualized consumer volume in May, indicating growth potential in this area. With three out of five bettors in legal gambling states planning to wager on the World Cup, DraftKings anticipates significant customer acquisition and engagement opportunities.
Oppenheimer analyst Jed Kelly supports this view, suggesting that the World Cup will serve as a testing ground for DraftKings' prediction markets ahead of the NFL season, where they expect to see increased volume. Overall, the World Cup is seen as a pivotal moment for DraftKings to enhance its market position and attract new users