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Kalshi Becomes Exclusive Prediction‑Market Partner of the US Open

The last‑minute agreement grants Kalshi exclusive advertising at the tournament on ESPN, heightening legal uncertainty over whether prediction markets are governed by federal derivatives law or state gambling rules.

Overview

  • Kalshi secured an exclusive prediction‑market partnership with the U.S. Open after qualifying ended, with the deal taking effect as the main draw began on Sunday, Aug. 30.
  • Sources say the agreement bars rival prediction‑market platforms from advertising inside the US Open venue and across ESPN’s tournament coverage, though the USTA, ESPN and Kalshi had not publicly listed the partnership at the tournament’s start.
  • New USTA CEO Craig Tiley pushed to accelerate the timeline and played a major role in finalizing the deal for the 2026 tournament instead of waiting until 2027 as originally planned.
  • Kalshi’s women’s singles market recorded roughly $1.5 million in early trading by Sunday afternoon, showing strong immediate commercial engagement on the platform.
  • The sponsorship comes as courts reach split rulings on whether state gambling laws can apply to CFTC‑regulated prediction markets, a legal divide that could affect state enforcement, geofencing and advertising rights going forward.