One cool thing about sports: it never ends. There’s always something happening at every game that keeps you on the edge of your seat. That’s why trading Polymarket sports contracts offers a unique way to engage with various sporting events.
You can trade predictions on different sports, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, golf, table tennis, chess, and eSports. Below, I’ll discuss everything you need to know about Polymarket’s sports predictions trading, how it works, available sports, and how to get started right away. So stick around and let me get right into it.
3 key facts about Polymarket sports contracts
- Polymarket sports contracts let you buy and sell binary event contracts on game winners, player props, and futures.
- The 2026 World Cup is currently the biggest market on Polymarket, with over $1 billion traded so far.
- Polymarket is federally regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
An overview of Polymarket and its sports contracts
Before I go into sports contracts in depth, let me quickly explain how Polymarket works. It’s a prediction market platform where you trade the outcomes of real-world events. It’s as simple as that.
Now these real-world events span across politics, cryptocurrency, finance, tech, and sports. Sports is one of the major prediction markets on this platform. It allows you to purchase Yes or No event contracts based on what you think the outcome of a preferred sporting event will be.
I know it’s the World Cup season, so let me give you a familiar example.
Will France win the 2026 World Cup?
Yes: $0.33
No: $0.67
The price for each contract ranges between $0.01 and $0.99. The prices are set by supply and demand, so they track what traders like you and me currently think about the likelihood of a given outcome.
How prediction market pricing works
So, from the example I just gave, France to win the 2026 World Cup is currently priced at $0.33 per share. That means the market (buyers and sellers) believes the team has a 33% chance of winning the competition. The same goes for the not-to-win scenario; the market believes there’s a 67% chance they don’t lift the trophy.
Let’s say you agree with the sentiment that France will win and decide to buy the Yes contract at $0.33. If by the end of the World Cup France lifts the trophy, the Yes contract settles at $1.00. So you’ll get a profit of $0.67 per share. If France doesn’t win, the Yes contract settles at $0, and you lose your money. The premise here is straightforward, and it applies to every sports market on Polymarket.
But there’s one thing that makes sports trading so cool: you can sell your contract at any time. So, let’s say you buy the Yes contract on France to win the 2026 World Cup, and they make it through to the semi-finals. The contract could climb from $0.33 to $0.67. You can sell right there and lock in that gain. You don’t have to wait to see if France can beat their opponent and eventually reach the final.
In my opinion, this feature is nice to have, especially in the sporting world where surprises can occur when you least expect them.
Is there a cost to trading Polymarket sports contracts?
Yes, there is, and it’s important to get the hang of it before you start trading. Polymarket trading fees have a taker/maker cost structure.
The taker fee is the amount charged when you execute a market order. It’s usually 0.75% at the $0.50 contract price and decreases when the contract trades near $0.01 or $0.99. The maker fee is 0% because it applies to limit orders that sit on the order book waiting to be filled.
There are no deposit or withdrawal fees. This low-fee structure is an added advantage for active traders.
What sports predictions can you trade on Polymarket right now?
Given the frenzy of the World Cup, you may be led to think that’s the only thing available at Polymarket. I’m here to tell you that this operator offers impressive depth across different sports and contract categories. And the best part is that it keeps expanding.
The table below shares key sports that you can trade on Polymarket right away
| Sports | Available markets |
| American Football |
|
| Basketball |
|
| Baseball |
|
| Soccer |
|
| Cricket |
|
| Tennis |
|
| Combat sports |
|
| eSports |
|
Interestingly, each of these sports follows the same Yes or No event contract format. You simply predict what happens in the game, and if you’re correct, you obtain a payout. You can trade on game winners, game props, player props, and futures.
Polymarket Sports prediction platform
Analyse the markets with Polymarket
Accessing Polymarket sports contracts in the US
Just to clear your curiosity about the question, is Polymarket legal in the US, I’ll answer yes based on my assessment of this platform. Polymarket returned to the US market by the end of 2025, after receiving an Amended Order of Designation from the CFTC. Then it acquired QCX, a derivatives exchange licensed by the CFTC, so it could operate under federal oversight.
And right now, Polymarket is a full-fledged Designated Contract Market in the US, providing prediction market services to interested participants nationwide. Though at the moment, Polymarket can only be accessed in the US via its iOS app. US traders also only get access to sports prediction markets for the time being.
How to trade sports contracts at Polymarket
Trading Polymarket sports contracts is easy once you understand the basics. Here are the steps to follow to get started.
-
Click the banners on this page to take you to the Polymarket app download page or the operator’s official website.
-
Create an account by either connecting your Google Account, submitting your email address, or using a crypto wallet.
-
After making your first deposit, go to the sports prediction markets section to explore the available sports events.
-
Select the specific game or event you want to trade on, then choose between the Yes and No contract.
-
Enter the amount you want to trade on your selected event contract.
-
Confirm the transaction and track your position in real time.
-
You have the option to sell your contract shares before the event or game ends to lock in a profit or minimize a loss.
-
Once the event ends, the market settles. If you’re still holding, the contract will settle at $1, and you’ll receive a payout if your prediction is correct. If the outcome doesn’t go your way, the contract settles at $0. In other words, you lose your money.
What are the pros and cons of Polymarket sports markets?
Here are some key perks and drawbacks to note about this operator’s sports markets:
- Good sports prediction market depth
- Easy-to-understand contract format
- Low trading fees
- Sell positions at any time
- Only available via an iOS app in the US
Enjoy Polymarket sports contracts today
Polymarket sports contracts have become one of the easiest ways to engage with sports events in 2026. The platform has the volume and depth that make trading exciting.
Of course, there’s always a risk of losing money at Polymarket. So ensure you trade within your limits and conduct proper research before making your prediction. If you’re ready to get started as a new Polymarket sports event trader, click the banners on this page and set up your account today.
FAQs on Polymarket sports contracts
What sports can you trade on Polymarket?
Polymarket covers American football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and college sports. Each sport has its own local and international leagues and competitions, whose outcomes you can predict.
How does Polymarket resolve sports prediction contracts?
When a sports event ends, Polymarket confirms the outcome against publicly verifiable results and settles contracts at $1.00 for correct predictions and $0 for incorrect ones.
How much does it cost to trade Polymarket sports contracts?
Polymarket charges a taker fee of around 0.10% on trades, which is the lowest in the industry. There are no deposit or withdrawal fees, though crypto network fees may apply to blockchain transactions.
Can you exit a Polymarket sports contract before the event ends?
Yes. You can sell your contract at any point before settlement. If the market price rises in your favor during the event, selling early locks in your gain without waiting for the final outcome.