Macquarie: 2026 World Cup Could Generate More Than $50B in Global Wagers
The forecast assumes similar wagering activity per match to that of the 2022 tournament, despite broader legal betting access and North American hosting.
Global wagering on the 2026 FIFA World Cup could exceed $50 billion, according to a new report from Macquarie, which would make the tournament the largest betting event in history.
The investment bank forecast reflects the expanded World Cup, which will feature 48 teams (up from 32) and 104 matches (up from 64) across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
In addition to an increased number of games, Macquarie argues that broader sports betting access in the U.S and continued product innovation will drive record wagering activity.
Betting Activity Could Increase $15B from 2022
Macquarie estimates that more than $35 billion, or approximately $0.5 billion per match, was wagered on the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which serves as the baseline for its 2026 forecast.
For the 2026 tournament, the firm projects similar betting activity of $0.5 billion per match, driving total volume to $50 billion, driven by a 60% increase in matches and additional upside from products such as parlays and player props.
Macquarie confirmed to Gambling Insider that its wagering estimates include activity on prediction-market platforms.
The report also points out the growth of the U.S. sports betting market. According to Macquarie, roughly 65% of the U.S. population now has access to legal sports betting, compared with approximately 40% during the 2022 World Cup.
The estimates place the World Cup well ahead of other major sporting events. The report estimates that the 2022 final between France and Argentina generated roughly $5.25 billion in wagering activity.
If this year’s final generates similar activity, it would represent nearly three times Macquarie’s estimate of $1.8 billion wagered on the 2026 Super Bowl.
The firm estimates that global viewership of the 2022 final was 10 times that of the 2026 Super Bowl.
Customer Acquisition Expected to Drive Long-Term Value
According to Macquarie, operators are increasingly viewing the World Cup as a customer-acquisition opportunity, especially in the U.S.
The report argues that this year’s tournament marks the first World Cup with broad national participation across the U.S. That’s due to factors such as greater legal access, favorable time zones, and more sophisticated products like same-game parlays, live betting, and soccer-specific wagering options.
According to Macquarie, the event’s long-term value will depend on operators’ ability to convert World Cup bettors into repeat customers and cross-sell them into higher-margin products, such as online casino gaming.
The firm described the U.S. as a “high-variance outcome,” with the financial impact depending largely on whether engagement persists after the tournament concludes.
Flutter, Super Group, and RSI Among Top Picks
Macquarie expects the World Cup’s financial benefits to become more apparent in 2027. Based on historical tournament patterns, the firm projects the event will generate a 2%-5% uplift in operator EBITDA during the following year.
The report identifies Flutter Entertainment (strong European exposure), Super Group (majority of revenue comes from countries participating in the tournament), and Rush Street Interactive (significant Latin American presence) as the companies best positioned to benefit from the tournament.
According to Macquarie, operators with significant exposure to international soccer markets and integrated sportsbook and iGaming platforms should be in the best position to capitalize on increased engagement.
The report also highlighted sports data providers Sportradar and Genius Sports as potential beneficiaries of elevated betting activity.
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