2026 FIFA World Cup Set to Become Largest Betting Event Ever
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 2 days ago
0mins
Source: CNBC
- Betting Market Forecast: Analysts predict that global wagers on the 2026 World Cup could exceed $50 billion, a significant increase from over $35 billion during the 2022 tournament, indicating that the event will create substantial customer acquisition opportunities for sportsbooks.
- Operational Profit Boost: Macquarie expects the World Cup to enhance 2027 operator EBITDA by 2% to 5%, with the most significant benefits accruing to companies like Flutter Entertainment that have large soccer audiences, highlighting their competitive strength in both North America and Brazil.
- Market Maturity Deepens: The U.S. sports betting market has matured significantly, with 65% of the U.S. population now having legal access to sports betting, up from about 40% during the 2022 tournament, indicating a vast market potential.
- Rise of Prediction Platforms: Kalshi and Polymarket saw a 13% week-over-week increase in trading volume, reaching $7 billion, showcasing the rapid growth of prediction markets, which have attracted participation from companies like Fanatics and DraftKings, further diversifying the market.
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Analyst Views on FLUT
Wall Street analysts forecast FLUT stock price to rise
26 Analyst Rating
23 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 110.800
Low
228.00
Averages
296.77
High
381.46
Current: 110.800
Low
228.00
Averages
296.77
High
381.46
About FLUT
Flutter Entertainment plc is an online sports betting and iGaming operator. Its segments include the United States (U.S.), United Kingdom and Ireland (UKI), Australia and International. The U.S. segment offers sports betting, casino, DFS and horse racing wagering products to players across various states in the United States, mainly online but with sports betting services also provided through retail outlets and certain online products in the province of Ontario in Canada. The UKI segment offers sports betting (sportsbook), iGaming products and other products through its Sky Betting & Gaming, Paddy Power, Betfair and tombola brands. Its Australia segment offers online sports betting products through its Sportsbet brand. The International segment includes its operations in 100 global markets and offers sports betting, casino, poker, rummy and lottery, mainly online. This segment includes Sisal, PokerStars, Snai, Betfair International, Adjarabet, MaxBet, Betnacional, and other brands.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Flutter Entertainment to Delist from London Stock Exchange
- Delisting Announcement: Flutter Entertainment has announced its decision to delist from the London Stock Exchange effective August 3, following a review of trading activity and associated costs, indicating a focus on market liquidity and cost efficiency.
- Strategic Shift: The company shifted its primary listing to New York two years ago, and this delisting reflects its strategy to seek better valuations and liquidity in global markets, aiming to enhance shareholder value.
- Market Trend: This delisting marks the latest high-profile exit from the London stock market, as more companies choose to delist or move their primary listings to the U.S. in response to liquidity challenges and valuation pressures, highlighting a shift in market dynamics.
- Shareholder Interests: Flutter believes that the delisting is in the best interests of the company and its shareholders, demonstrating its decision-making capability in optimizing operations and reducing administrative burdens, paving the way for future growth.
See More
DraftKings and Flutter Ramp Up Marketing Efforts for World Cup
- World Cup Marketing Strategy: Wells Fargo expects DraftKings (DKNG) and Flutter Entertainment (FLUT) to ramp up their marketing efforts during and after the World Cup, aiming to attract new customers and enhance the visibility of their prediction market platforms during this massive 39-day global sports event.
- Earnings Forecast Downgrade: Due to increased sales and marketing costs in Q2, Wells Fargo has lowered EBITDA estimates for DraftKings and Flutter Entertainment to near the lowest levels on Wall Street, reflecting concerns about their profitability amidst rising expenses.
- Super App Concept: DraftKings is explicitly moving towards a single super app across all 50 states that integrates sports betting and prediction markets, while Flutter Entertainment operates its prediction markets as a largely separate app with selective links to its core sportsbook, indicating differing strategic approaches.
- Intensifying Market Competition: As DraftKings and Flutter Entertainment compete aggressively during the World Cup, market attention on their future performance increases, particularly in the context of the growing convergence of sports betting and prediction markets, which may impact their long-term strategic positioning.
See More
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- Information Access Channel: Investors can download the NYSE TV app to access the latest market dynamics and IPO activities, further enhancing their market engagement and information acquisition efficiency.
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- Positive Market Reaction: The major averages are up on Friday morning as Fifth Third Bancorp lists, reflecting investor focus on Middle East developments and economic data, indicating a recovery in market confidence.
- World Cup Impact: With the World Cup kicking off, Flutter (NYSE:FLUT) anticipates up to $50 billion in legal global wagering, highlighting the significant boost sports events provide to the online betting market, potentially enhancing stock prices of related companies.
- Increased Trading Activity: Flutter is preparing to manage 100,000 bets per minute during peak times, demonstrating its robust operational capacity in the rapidly growing online betting market, which may positively impact its future financial performance.
See More
Flutter Entertainment to Delist from London Stock Exchange
- Stock Price Increase: FLUT shares rose 1.2% in premarket trading on Friday, reflecting market optimism about the company's future, particularly with the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup expected to drive user growth.
- Delisting from London: Flutter announced it will cease trading on the London Stock Exchange on July 31, shifting focus to the New York market, a strategic move aimed at enhancing its competitiveness globally, especially against rivals like DraftKings.
- Financial Performance: Despite a 17% year-over-year revenue increase to $4.3 billion in Q1, FLUT's net income fell from $283 million to $218 million, indicating the impact of a declining user base, with average monthly players down 3% to 14.4 million.
- CEO Transition: The company announced the departure of CEO Amy Howe, with FanDuel President Christian Gentski stepping in, as the new leadership is expected to drive market performance during the upcoming World Cup, leveraging competitive advantages to attract new customers.
See More
Flutter CEO Calls World Cup a Strong Customer Acquisition Tool
- World Cup Commercial Opportunity: Flutter anticipates handling up to 100,000 bets per minute during the World Cup, indicating a significant customer growth opportunity, particularly in the U.S. market where attracting new users is crucial.
- Market Strategy Adjustment: CEO Peter Jackson emphasized that the company tailors its strategy by market, especially in the U.S., where educational features and product enhancements are introduced to help first-time bettors better understand the tournament, thereby improving user experience and engagement.
- Partnership with Crypto.com: Flutter expands its FanDuel Predicts prediction market business through a partnership with Crypto.com, adding new contract types that enhance its competitiveness across all 50 U.S. states, particularly against rivals like Kalshi and Polymarket.
- Retail Sentiment Remains Optimistic: Despite FLUT stock declining over 47% year-to-date, retail sentiment on Stocktwits remains bullish, reflecting confidence in Flutter's long-term growth potential.
See More
Flutter Entertainment to Delist from London Stock Exchange
- Delisting Announcement: Flutter Entertainment has announced its decision to delist from the London Stock Exchange effective August 3, following a review of trading activity and associated costs, indicating a focus on market liquidity and cost efficiency.
- Strategic Shift: The company shifted its primary listing to New York two years ago, and this delisting reflects its strategy to seek better valuations and liquidity in global markets, aiming to enhance shareholder value.
- Market Trend: This delisting marks the latest high-profile exit from the London stock market, as more companies choose to delist or move their primary listings to the U.S. in response to liquidity challenges and valuation pressures, highlighting a shift in market dynamics.
- Shareholder Interests: Flutter believes that the delisting is in the best interests of the company and its shareholders, demonstrating its decision-making capability in optimizing operations and reducing administrative burdens, paving the way for future growth.
See More
DraftKings and Flutter Ramp Up Marketing Efforts for World Cup
- World Cup Marketing Strategy: Wells Fargo expects DraftKings (DKNG) and Flutter Entertainment (FLUT) to ramp up their marketing efforts during and after the World Cup, aiming to attract new customers and enhance the visibility of their prediction market platforms during this massive 39-day global sports event.
- Earnings Forecast Downgrade: Due to increased sales and marketing costs in Q2, Wells Fargo has lowered EBITDA estimates for DraftKings and Flutter Entertainment to near the lowest levels on Wall Street, reflecting concerns about their profitability amidst rising expenses.
- Super App Concept: DraftKings is explicitly moving towards a single super app across all 50 states that integrates sports betting and prediction markets, while Flutter Entertainment operates its prediction markets as a largely separate app with selective links to its core sportsbook, indicating differing strategic approaches.
- Intensifying Market Competition: As DraftKings and Flutter Entertainment compete aggressively during the World Cup, market attention on their future performance increases, particularly in the context of the growing convergence of sports betting and prediction markets, which may impact their long-term strategic positioning.
See More
NYSE Issues Daily Pre-Market Advisory
- Market Update Release: The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) issued a daily pre-market advisory on June 12, 2026, providing market insights before trading begins, aimed at helping investors make more informed trading decisions.
- Listing Celebration: Fifth Third Bancorp (NYSE:FITB) celebrated its listing on the NYSE, marking a significant step in its capital market journey, which is expected to enhance its market influence and investor confidence.
- Anniversary Celebration: Voyager Technologies (NYSE:VOYG) celebrated the first anniversary of its IPO, reflecting the company's growth and market adaptability over the past year, potentially attracting more investor interest in its future developments.
- Information Access Channel: Investors can download the NYSE TV app to access the latest market dynamics and IPO activities, further enhancing their market engagement and information acquisition efficiency.
See More
Fifth Third Bancorp Begins Trading on NYSE, Marking Historic Transfer
- Historic Listing: Fifth Third Bancorp (NYSE:FITB) officially begins trading on June 12, marking the largest bank transfer in the NYSE's 234-year history, which is expected to attract significant investor interest.
- Positive Market Reaction: The major averages are up on Friday morning as Fifth Third Bancorp lists, reflecting investor focus on Middle East developments and economic data, indicating a recovery in market confidence.
- World Cup Impact: With the World Cup kicking off, Flutter (NYSE:FLUT) anticipates up to $50 billion in legal global wagering, highlighting the significant boost sports events provide to the online betting market, potentially enhancing stock prices of related companies.
- Increased Trading Activity: Flutter is preparing to manage 100,000 bets per minute during peak times, demonstrating its robust operational capacity in the rapidly growing online betting market, which may positively impact its future financial performance.
See More
Flutter Entertainment to Delist from London Stock Exchange
- Stock Price Increase: FLUT shares rose 1.2% in premarket trading on Friday, reflecting market optimism about the company's future, particularly with the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup expected to drive user growth.
- Delisting from London: Flutter announced it will cease trading on the London Stock Exchange on July 31, shifting focus to the New York market, a strategic move aimed at enhancing its competitiveness globally, especially against rivals like DraftKings.
- Financial Performance: Despite a 17% year-over-year revenue increase to $4.3 billion in Q1, FLUT's net income fell from $283 million to $218 million, indicating the impact of a declining user base, with average monthly players down 3% to 14.4 million.
- CEO Transition: The company announced the departure of CEO Amy Howe, with FanDuel President Christian Gentski stepping in, as the new leadership is expected to drive market performance during the upcoming World Cup, leveraging competitive advantages to attract new customers.
See More
Flutter CEO Calls World Cup a Strong Customer Acquisition Tool
- World Cup Commercial Opportunity: Flutter anticipates handling up to 100,000 bets per minute during the World Cup, indicating a significant customer growth opportunity, particularly in the U.S. market where attracting new users is crucial.
- Market Strategy Adjustment: CEO Peter Jackson emphasized that the company tailors its strategy by market, especially in the U.S., where educational features and product enhancements are introduced to help first-time bettors better understand the tournament, thereby improving user experience and engagement.
- Partnership with Crypto.com: Flutter expands its FanDuel Predicts prediction market business through a partnership with Crypto.com, adding new contract types that enhance its competitiveness across all 50 U.S. states, particularly against rivals like Kalshi and Polymarket.
- Retail Sentiment Remains Optimistic: Despite FLUT stock declining over 47% year-to-date, retail sentiment on Stocktwits remains bullish, reflecting confidence in Flutter's long-term growth potential.
See More
