Jul 28, 2026
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Read Article This was the most bet soccer match in DraftKings history
Updated: | First published:
Written by Damien Souness, Chief Experience Officer
Reviewed by Nick Slade
DraftKings says over 2 million bets were placed on the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, making it the most-bet soccer match in the sportsbook's history.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final became the most-bet soccer match in DraftKings Sportsbook history, generating over 2 million bets.
DraftKings revealed the milestone as part of its post-tournament recap, highlighting record engagement across both its sportsbook and DraftKings Predictions during the biggest soccer event the company has ever handled.
Over 2 million bets on the World Cup final
According to DraftKings, the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina attracted over 2 million wagers, surpassing every previous soccer match offered by the sportsbook.
The record underscores the continued growth of soccer betting in the United States, particularly following the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
DraftKings Predictions also scored big
The World Cup final also set records for DraftKings Predictions.
DraftKings said its prediction market platform recorded all-time highs for both trading volume and active customers during the match, which Spain won 1-0.
The company also reported that Combo contracts accounted for 20% of all World Cup consumer trading volume on the platform.
World Cup betting surged from 2022
The broader tournament was equally significant for DraftKings.
Total bets on the 2026 FIFA World Cup increased 650% compared to the 2022 tournament, while active Spanish-language soccer customers grew by 245%.
Notable World Cup betting trends
DraftKings also shared several other insights from the tournament:
- Lionel Messi was the most bet-on player, finishing with eight goals, including a group-stage hat-trick against Algeria.
- The United States was the most bet-on team, advancing to the Round of 16 before falling to Belgium.
The record-breaking World Cup final capped DraftKings' biggest soccer tournament to date, with unprecedented activity across both its sportsbook and DraftKings Predictions platform.
Over 2 million bets on the final provide another indication of soccer's increasing importance to U.S. sportsbooks and prediction markets.
DraftKings was not the only operator to set records
DraftKings was not alone in reporting unprecedented betting activity during the 2026 World Cup.
BetMGM said the Spain-Argentina final also became the most-bet soccer match in the company's history, leading the operator in both total bets and betting handle.
FanDuel reported similar results, saying the World Cup final was the most-bet soccer match in its sportsbook's history. The operator also said Kylian Mbappe was its most popular goalscorer selection throughout the tournament.
The World Cup's impact extended beyond soccer
BetMGM said betting interest in the World Cup final exceeded several marquee American sporting events, including every game of the 2025 World Series, every game of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks, and every March Madness matchup.
Only the College Football Playoff National Championship attracted more wagers.
With DraftKings, BetMGM and FanDuel all reporting record-breaking soccer betting activity, the 2026 FIFA World Cup demonstrated how far the sport has come in the US betting market.
To give you the most accurate and helpful information, this article has been reviewed and edited by Nick Slade through our fact-checking process.
Damien Souness is Chief Experience Officer at Cipher Sports Technology Group, helping lead sports media brands such as Dimers. He specializes in creating trustworthy and data-driven content for sports fans, with experience working for globally recognized sports and media organizations.
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