Leading global prediction platform operator Polymarket on Monday was announced as the Bundesliga’s Official Prediction Market Partner in the U.S.
Partnerships for the top German soccer league are handled by Relevent, a multinational media, sports and entertainment group, and the exclusive commercial and media rights partner of the Bundesliga.
Key Takeaways
- Polymarket is the Bundesliga’s first American partner signed by Relevent.
- The Bundesliga is one of the best and most popular soccer leagues in the world.
- Soccer experienced a strong surge in popularity in recent years.
An announcement confirmed the new partnership, which will position Polymarket’s prediction markets in a greater view of American audiences.
Through the partnership, Polymarket US users will be allowed to trade event contracts centered around the top Bundesliga matches. The goal is to “[further] their interest and investment in the league,” even across an entire ocean.
“The Bundesliga is home to some of the most exciting players in world football, and its U.S. audience reflects that," said Ari Borod, President of Sports Business Development at Polymarket. "An official partnership with the Bundesliga equips Polymarket to serve that audience with the credibility the league deserves.”
Home to soccer giants such as Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, the Bundesliga is the fifth-best league in the world, according to Global Football Rankings. It features Harry Kane, a top contender for the Golden Boot at the World Cup, the tricky Michael Olise, and electrifying young talent Yan Diomande, among other stars.
The deal will come into full effect for customers when the Bundesliga season begins on Friday, Aug. 28.
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Polymarket expands the Bundesliga’s presence
Although the Bundesliga trails the Premier League (England), Serie A (Italy), LaLiga (Spain), and Ligue 1 (France) in the global rankings for soccer leagues, it is commonly regarded as one of the best and most prominent competitions in the sport.
Positioning Bundesliga matches in front of a foreign audience will increase the eyes on the league. The hope is that it will start a chain reaction that creates more revenue for the league and its teams, allowing them to develop and acquire better talent to increase the overall competition across the league.
“Partnerships like this one are a testament to our long-term collaboration with Relevent to grow German soccer in the region, as we continue to showcase Football As It's Meant to Be in the Americas,” said Robin Austermann, Bundesliga Americas executive vice president.
Soccer is in the middle of a period of growth in the U.S.
A YouGov study posted in May revealed that the share of Americans who said they actively followed a soccer team, league, or the sport itself, had increased from 8% before the 2022 World Cup to 12% presently. That included a rise from 13% to 22% among 18 to 34-year-olds.
The ongoing FIFA World Cup has also been a tremendous hit. FOX revealed that last Friday’s match between the USA and Australia averaged 14.781 million viewers, the highest count for a Friday afternoon broadcast since the USA-England World Cup match in 2022.
G'day: The preliminary numbers are in and America showed out. 🇺🇸
— FOX Sports PR (@FOXSportsPR) June 20, 2026
The @USMNT’s 2-0 victory over Australia delivered 14,781,000 viewers on FOX, ranking as the best Friday afternoon telecast on any broadcast network since 2022. 🏆⚽️📺 pic.twitter.com/8b6cYJ1Hy3
FanDuel Sportsbook also reported that Brazil-Morocco and USA-Paraguay were the two most-bet soccer events in company history.
Following the numbers
Polymarket, along with competitor Kalshi, are the top two leading prediction platforms.
According to financial data aggregator DeFi Rate, Polymarket handled 23.3 million transactions last week. It also had a weekly notional volume of $3.9 billion.
Prediction market news has largely been dominated by the controversy of sports event contracts. While they have received pushback from state gaming officials, these figures represent their extreme popularity with prediction traders.
