Kalshi Named Exclusive Prediction Market Partner of US Open After Court Labels

Kalshi has become the exclusive prediction market partner of the US Open tennis tournament after a federal court described the platform’s contracts as “sports bets” on Friday, according to information shared by @coinbureau on X. By Sunday, Kalshi had secured an exclusive partnership with the tournament, while rival prediction market platforms were reportedly barred from advertising at the event and across ESPN broadcasts.

The rapid development highlights the growing intersection between prediction markets, sports and traditional media. Kalshi’s agreement with the US Open gives the platform exclusive promotional positioning around one of the most prominent tennis tournaments, while restricting competing prediction market companies from similar advertising opportunities.

Federal Court Describes Kalshi Contracts as Sports Bets

The development began with a federal court ruling on Friday that characterized Kalshi’s contracts as “sports bets.”

Prediction markets allow participants to trade contracts based on the outcome of future events. In sports-related markets, users can take positions tied to potential results of sporting events.

The legal classification of such contracts has become an important issue for prediction market operators as the industry expands into sports-related events. The treatment of these contracts can affect how platforms operate and how their products are viewed under existing regulations.

The court's characterization of Kalshi’s contracts came just days before the company announced its new relationship with the US Open.

Kalshi Secures Exclusive US Open Partnership

By Sunday, Kalshi had become the exclusive prediction market partner of the US Open tennis tournament.

The partnership gives Kalshi a designated role within the tournament's commercial and promotional ecosystem. It also differentiates the platform from competing prediction market operators seeking exposure through major sporting events.

The US Open is one of tennis’s four Grand Slam tournaments and attracts substantial international attention. A partnership with the event provides cryptocurrency Kalshi with access to a major sports audience at a time when prediction markets are becoming increasingly visible in the broader sports and financial landscape.

The agreement also establishes exclusivity, meaning rival prediction market platforms do not receive the same advertising rights associated with the tournament.

Rival Platforms Barred From Advertising

According to the information cited by @coinbureau, rival prediction market platforms are now prohibited from advertising at the US Open and across ESPN's broadcasts of the tournament.

The restriction extends beyond the physical tournament environment. ESPN is a major sports broadcaster, meaning the advertising financial limitation also applies to the television and media coverage associated with the event.

The arrangement effectively gives Kalshi a protected advertising position within the US Open's promotional environment. Competing platforms can continue operating independently, but they would not have the same opportunity to promote their services through the tournament or its ESPN broadcasts.

The development comes as prediction markets compete for greater visibility among sports audiences.

Growing Intersection Between Prediction Markets and Sports

Prediction markets have increasingly moved into areas traditionally dominated by sportsbooks and other forms of sports wagering. The distinction between prediction contracts and conventional sports betting has consequently become a major regulatory and legal issue.

Kalshi has positioned itself as a regulated prediction markets rather than a traditional sportsbook. Its sports-related contracts have nevertheless faced legal and regulatory scrutiny, particularly as the platform expands its presence in major sporting events.

The federal court's description of Kalshi's contracts as “sports bets” adds another development to the ongoing debate over how these products should be classified.

At the same time, the US Open partnership demonstrates the commercial value that major sporting events can provide to prediction market operators. Exclusive agreements can give platforms direct access to sports audiences while limiting the promotional reach of competitors.

For Kalshi, the US Open agreement represents a significant expansion of its presence in professional sports. For the wider prediction market industry, the partnership illustrates how legal classification, advertising rights and cryptocurrency sports partnerships are becoming increasingly interconnected.

Writer: Victoria Hale
Technology & Blockchain Writer

Victoria Hale writes about blockchain technology, digital infrastructure, and the intersection of emerging technologies with finance. Her articles explore how new protocols and systems are shaping the evolving digital economy.

She prioritises clarity and accuracy when explaining technical developments to a general audience.