Flutter forecasts 100,000 bets a minute for 2026 World Cup

Flutter Entertainment expects to process as many as 100,000 bets per minute during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a volume that would make the tournament the largest gambling event in history.

"The 2022 World Cup final drew nearly 1.5 billion viewers, and we expect engagement this year to surpass all previous records," Peter Jackson, chief executive officer of Flutter Entertainment, said. "Our infrastructure is built to handle peak volumes of 100,000 bets per minute during key matches."

The forecast underscores the scale of sports betting demand for the monthlong tournament, which begins June 11 across the US, Canada and Mexico. Flutter, which owns FanDuel, the largest US sportsbook by market share, is positioned to capture a significant portion of the expected wagering surge. The 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France attracted about 1.5 billion viewers globally, according to FIFA data.

The 2026 tournament features an expanded 48-team field across 12 groups, with 104 matches scheduled through the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Spain enters as the +450 favorite, followed by France at +470 and England at +650, according to FanDuel odds. The US men's national team, a co-host, is listed at +6000 to win the tournament.

The betting boom represents a major revenue catalyst for Flutter in the second and third quarters. Rivals DraftKings and BetMGM are also offering promotional incentives, with some sportsbooks bundling nearly $6,000 in sign-up bonuses for new users ahead of the tournament. Flutter shares have gained about 20 percent this year through Tuesday's close, outperforming the S&P 500's 8 percent advance.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.