
If you want to find prediction markets where you can trade on the outcome of sports events, you are in the right place. These platforms are quickly gaining popularity, providing a unique way to participate in sports.
There are currently a good number of prediction markets to choose from, but when it comes to the best for sports outcomes, we have two on our list. Here, we will walk you through our top two recommendations and why they are better for sports events. You will also learn how to choose the best prediction sites for you.
These prediction sites offer prediction markets which are similar to stock markets, because you trade contracts tied to the possible outcome of sports events.
These contracts are listed with prices that range between $0.01 and $0.99. Their prices also reflect the possibility of that event occurring. So, the higher the price, the higher the probability, and vice versa. Top platforms let you buy these contracts at market price or place a custom order at your price. Each contract then pays $1 if your prediction is accurate and $0 if it is not.
You get a better understanding of prediction markets when you compare them to regular sportsbooks. Here is a brief, side-by-side comparison of both platforms:
| Prediction markets | Online sportsbooks |
| Buy and sell contracts representing event outcomes | Place bets on fixed odds |
| There are no “odds.” Prices change based on the trading volume | The sportsbook sets odds |
| Simple Yes/No contracts | Multiple markets to get used to |
| Lower fees, usually 1-2% on trading | Higher vigorish, usually a 5-10% house edge |
| Can buy/sell anytime before the event is resolved | Placed bets can’t be changed. They can only be settled earlier using the cash-out feature |
After reviewing the prediction sites operating in the US, two emerged as the best ones for trading on sports outcomes: Kalshi and Polymarket. Below is a brief overview of each one:
Launched in 2018, Kalshi prides itself on being the first federally regulated prediction market. As such, it has legal permission to offer services in the United States. Another highlight is the simplicity of its trade contracts. You’re focused on buying “Yes” or “No,” then you place your order and can sell it before the contract resolves.
Despite being around since 2018, Kalshi did not introduce sports outcomes till 2025. Since then, it has grown in strength, providing event contracts for both popular and niche sports. These include American Football, Basketball, Chess, and even esports. Its markets also usually revolve around totals and spreads. For instance, you pick Yes or No to a contract that states: Buffalo wins by over 1.5 goals.
Kalshi also has a few incentives for its users. One is the welcome bonus, which you get after making trades worth up to $100. There are also leaderboards, referral programs, and a few other reward systems you can leverage as a returning user. You can enjoy trading on sports outcomes and claiming bonuses even when using the mobile application.
Polymarket claims to be the world's largest prediction market, and it is easy to see why. It provides thousands of trade contracts every day, some of which revolve around sports. Speaking of sports, the coverage is quite decent, with event contracts for American Football, Hockey, Tennis, and Baseball, to mention a few.
Another thing we liked is the availability of more options. Unlike Kalshi, which offers Yes-or-No contracts for spreads and totals, Polymarket includes moneylines. It allows you to pick Yes or No to game winners or the event ending in a draw.
Polymarket also has a simple interface that makes reading market prices easy. This excellent interface is also what you will find on Android and iOS applications. Whether you use the app or website, you can easily fund your account, withdraw your winnings, and contact customer service when necessary.
One interesting thing about prediction sites is that they provide event contracts for various events. However, when we were selecting those best for sports outcomes, we considered the following factors:
The first thing we look at is the sports coverage. We do not expect to find a long list of sports; however, we expect decent coverage of even the most popular games, such as football, basketball, and baseball. It’s even better if a platform offers event contracts for niche games and electronic sports.
We never skip the trading fees. These usually appear as percentages and can impact the overall winnings you get from the platform. The lower the figure, the better. In addition to trading fees, we also check if the prediction market charges anything extra for deposits and withdrawals. It’s best if there are no fees, but if there are, they should be minimal.
When you understand the legality of prediction markets in the US, you will know how important it is for such brands to be legally compliant. Both of our recommendations hold licenses from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which regulates derivatives and futures trading platforms.
In addition to being licensed, these prediction markets should also be secure. Look for signs of encryption, like a lock icon at the beginning of their web addresses. Sites like Kalshi also support two-factor authentication, which you can easily activate to further protect your account.
Liquidity determines how easily you can buy and sell positions at reasonable prices. Prediction markets with high liquidity allow you to execute trades quickly, while the reverse is the case on platforms with low liquidity. We confirm a brand's liquidity by looking at the average trading volumes and the number of active participants on the platform.
No one wants to deal with lagging websites. That is why we make it a priority to explore the site before even creating an account. We pay attention to the overall design, checking whether the dark or light theme affects the experience. Then, we look at the layout to ensure first-timers can easily find their way around and that all pages load quickly.
The best prediction markets build their websites to be mobile-compatible. However, they score extra points if they have dedicated mobile applications. We check if these apps are available for both Android and iOS. Then, we complete the download, launch it on the corresponding devices, and see how well it loads. The mobile app should offer a similar, if not better, experience to the web-based version.
Funding your account and cashing out your wins is much easier when the platform supports multiple, well-known payment methods. We’re talking debit cards, Google Pay, bank transfers, and cryptocurrencies. We also pay attention to the time it takes for the brand to process both deposits and withdrawals.
Now that you know the best prediction markets for sports, let’s go through how to actually trade event contracts on these platforms. Note that the exact steps you will follow depend on the site/app, but they are identical to the following:
You can’t trade if you do not have an active account on the prediction market. From our experiences, registering takes only a few minutes. You start by visiting the website or downloading the app, then clicking the signup icon and filling out your details.
In compliance with their regulations, prediction markets require you to complete KYC verification before you can fund your account for the first time. You do this by submitting copies of documents that prove your identity and show your address. Most platforms take between 24 and 48 hours to confirm your details.
Once your account is up and running, you need to make a deposit. To do this, click the deposit icon, select a payment method, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the transaction. Most markets process these payments within a few minutes.
Visit the sports section and choose from the list of options. Doing this will reveal the available event contract under each one. You then select the contract you want and choose one of its markets. Pick if you're going to buy “Yes” or “No,” enter the number of contracts you want, and submit the order.
After placing your trade, you have two options: hold your position until the event ends or sell early. If you hold, you get the full payout for a correct prediction, which is usually $1 per share. On the other hand, if you sell at a higher price, you receive the extra returns. For instance, you buy one contract at $0.46 and sell early at $0.80. That means $0.34 extra.
You now understand how event trading operates. Your prediction has to be accurate for you to get a payout. After receiving your winnings, you can navigate to the payment section, select a method, and submit a withdrawal request.
There are multiple benefits to predicting sports outcomes on these platforms, but there are also a few drawbacks to keep in mind. Below is a summary of the pros and cons we noted:
We have provided you with the best prediction websites where you can trade on the outcomes of sporting events. Now, it’s left for you to choose the one that appeals to you. Better still, you can sign up on both platforms and try them out via the banners on this page. Just note that you cannot have more than a single account on each prediction market.
Besides the two on our list, there are other prediction markets that also follow the same rule of trading contracts on sports outcomes. You can check them out right here on our platform. We have detailed reviews of each of these brands. Go through them to learn about the prediction market, as this will help you pick a suitable platform if you’re interested in these sites.
Yes, but with certain conditions. Leading prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket operate legally under the federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). They function as regulated financial exchanges offering event contracts.
Unlike traditional sportsbooks, prediction markets generally do not offer extensive signup bonuses or loyalty programs. Instead, they may provide incentives for liquidity providers and active traders. Some, like Kalshi, also include leaderboards that rank users based on their trading activity over a specific time frame.
Sports contracts on top prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket appear as yes/no outcomes for specific events. You will find contracts for various sports events, including popular and niche ones.