Trending Now - MLB Teams up With Polymarket to Launch Prediction Markets
WHO:
Ari Borod, president of sports for Polymarket, stated, "Integrity was at the foundation of this deal. It wasn't something that we figured out after the fact."
Rob Manfred, Commissioner of MLB, emphasized, "I hope that it goes without saying that our primary concern, always first in our minds, is protecting the integrity of the game."
Ari Borod, president of sports for Polymarket
Michael S. Selig, chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
Major League Baseball (MLB)
Rob Manfred, Commissioner of MLB
Polymarket, prediction market exchange
Michael Selig, Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
WHAT:
MLB's partnership with Polymarket aims to provide more visibility and input on the rules governing billions of dollars expected to be traded on baseball in 2026.
The MLB-Polymarket deal includes language that would void the partnership if courts rule that prediction markets violate state law.
MLB will provide Polymarket and its brokers exclusive access to MLB logos for use within its prediction market products.
Polymarket will have access to official league data from Sportradar, MLB’s exclusive global distributor of data for prediction markets.
MLB stated that it wants integrity relationships with all other prediction market exchanges offering baseball contracts.
MLB named Polymarket as the league's official prediction market exchange.
MLB announced an information sharing agreement with the CFTC.
Polymarket gains rights to use MLB marks and logos and access official data.
MLB and Polymarket will establish an integrity framework to prevent market manipulation.
The MLB-Polymarket deal includes a clause that voids the partnership if prediction markets are ruled illegal by courts.
WHERE:
The memorandum of understanding was signed in Miami, Florida.
WHEN:
MLB had a presentation on prediction markets during its owners’ meetings in Florida in February 2026.
MLB sent a letter to the CFTC calling for strong integrity protections one year ago, in March 2025.
The announcement was made on Thursday, March 17th, 2026.
The memorandum was signed on Wednesday, March 16th, 2026.
The attorney general of Arizona filed criminal charges against Kalshi on March 15th, 2026.
WHY:
Commissioner Rob Manfred stated, "By engaging in this community, we are able to work together to create clear boundaries with the goal of mitigating risk while providing fan engagement opportunities."
Commissioner Rob Manfred emphasized that protecting the integrity of the game on the field is MLB's top priority.
The agreements aim to combat threats to the integrity of the sport.
Manfred stated the need for "the right guardrails and integrity standards" in prediction markets.
HOW:
MLB and the CFTC will meet regularly to discuss potential threats to integrity posed by specific markets.
MLB and the CFTC agreed to share information regarding the integrity of professional baseball and related prediction markets, with designated representatives meeting regularly.
MLB and CFTC will meet regularly to discuss potential integrity threats.
The partnership will involve sharing information confidentially between MLB and CFTC.
Polymarket's exchange is currently by invitation only but is moving towards a full launch for trading on baseball.
(UPDATED March 19, 2026 21:10 UTC)
In a significant development for baseball, MLB has announced a partnership with Polymarket aimed at enhancing the visibility and regulation of prediction markets, which are expected to involve billions of dollars this year. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred highlighted the importance of integrity in this deal, stating that the league's primary concern is to protect the integrity of the game, while Polymarket's president, Ari Borod, emphasized that integrity was foundational to the agreement. The partnership includes provisions that could void the deal if courts determine that prediction markets violate state law, and MLB plans to meet regularly with the CFTC to address any potential threats to integrity.
--
(UPDATED March 19, 2026 17:23 UTC)
In a significant development for sports betting, Major League Baseball has announced that it will provide Polymarket and its brokers with exclusive access to MLB logos for their prediction market products, along with official league data from Sportradar. This move comes after MLB reached out to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission last March, emphasizing the importance of integrity in the game and its relationships with prediction market exchanges. To ensure these standards are upheld, MLB and the CFTC will regularly share information and have designated representatives meet to discuss the integrity of professional baseball and related markets.
--
(UPDATED March 19, 2026 15:16 UTC)
On Thursday, March 17, MLB announced that it has named Polymarket as its official prediction market exchange and signed a memorandum of understanding in Miami, Florida, on March 16. The deal includes an information sharing agreement with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, allowing Polymarket to use MLB marks and logos while establishing an integrity framework to prevent market manipulation. This partnership aims to combat threats to the integrity of the sport, with both MLB and the CFTC committing to regular meetings to discuss potential integrity threats.