MLB Partners with Polymarket, Signs Historic Agreement with CFTC

In a groundbreaking move for the sports industry, Major League Baseball has officially partnered with Polymarket, becoming the first major U.S. sports league to align with a prediction market platform. This announcement, made by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, coincides with the signing of an unprecedented memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), paving the way for a new era in sports integrity and fan engagement.

The partnership with Polymarket positions it as the official prediction market exchange for MLB, a development that Manfred hinted at during recent discussions with team owners. With the commencement of the 2026 season just around the corner, this collaboration signals a significant step forward in how the league interacts with emerging market trends.

As part of the agreement with the CFTC, MLB will have a voice in shaping regulations that govern prediction markets, ensuring that the integrity of the game remains intact amidst the rapid expansion of sports event contracts. Manfred emphasized the importance of these agreements, stating, “The new agreements that we formed with Polymarket and the CFTC are imperative steps in proactively managing the new and rapidly growing prediction market space. Protecting the integrity of the game on the field is our top priority. 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.”

This MOU grants MLB a collaborative role in overseeing prediction markets, allowing for the exchange of confidential information that enhances integrity measures. CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig echoed the sentiment, highlighting the importance of this partnership in safeguarding against fraud and manipulation. He remarked, “The MOU is a collaborative step towards promoting the integrity and resilience of the prediction markets relating to professional baseball. Through this MOU, the CFTC is well-positioned to add additional tools to protect these markets and its participants from fraud, manipulation, and other abuses.”

Furthermore, the agreement extends beyond Polymarket as MLB and the CFTC plan to collaborate with other prediction market platforms like Kalshi, DraftKings Predictions, and FanDuel Predict. This initiative aims to incorporate the same integrity protections into their operations, setting a new standard for the industry.

MLB’s proactive measures come in the wake of a gambling scandal that shook the league, involving Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, who were arrested for manipulating pitches and accepting bribes. With trials set to begin this fall, the league’s commitment to integrity is more crucial than ever.

Unlike state-regulated sportsbooks, prediction markets have faced scrutiny for their lack of regulation, prompting MLB’s timely partnership. Polymarket, having exited the U.S. market in 2022 due to regulatory hurdles, has made a strong comeback by acquiring a derivatives exchange, allowing it to re-enter the market just in time for this pivotal agreement.

As part of this partnership, Polymarket will enjoy exclusive MLB marketing rights, gaining access to league marks and logos, along with official league data. The platform will also collaborate with MLB to limit markets that pose a high risk of manipulation, such as individual pitches and managerial decisions. Polymarket’s CEO, Shayne Coplan, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “Polymarket is about bringing fans closer to the moments that define sports. By working collaboratively with Major League Baseball and regulators, we can create new ways for fans to engage with the game while protecting the integrity of the sport.”

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.