NHL Forms Landmark Multi-Year Deals with Prediction Market Platforms Kalshi and Polymarket

The NHL (National Hockey League), the most popular men’s ice hockey league in the world, has entered into multi-year agreements with prediction market platforms Kalshi and Polymarket, naming them official prediction market partners with access to league data, logo rights, and on-board advertising during broadcasts of the regular season and Stanley Cup playoffs.

In a bold move reflecting how professional sports leagues are increasingly embracing new forms of fan engagement and betting-adjacent experiences, the National Hockey League (NHL) announced a set of multi-year U.S. partnerships with prediction-market platforms Kalshi and Polymarket, naming both companies “Official Prediction Market Partners” of the league.

Given that they are classified as third-party providers that don’t have stakes in the event outcomes, and are recognized as peer-to-peer platforms, i.e., not online bookmakers, under the agreements, both Kalshi and Polymarket gain access to official NHL data, logo rights, and the ability to feature their brands via digital signage during NHL broadcasts. More specifically, the platforms will benefit from the use of NHL proprietary data, permission to use NHL marks and team logos on their platforms and marketing materials, and brand exposure via Digitally Enhanced Dasherboards (DED) and blue-line-slot virtual signage during nationally televised regular-season games, Stanley Cup Playoffs, and marquee events such as the NHL Winter Classic and Stadium Series.

New Dimension of Fan Engagement

Keith Wachtel, NHL President of Business, commented that “as prediction markets continue to evolve at a rapid pace, partnering with the two market leaders, Kalshi and Polymarket, provides a tremendous opportunity for the broadest fan engagement during the NHL season.”

From the platforms’ perspectives, the league-wide collaboration represents a significant milestone.

Polymarket’s Founder & CEO Shayne Coplan said they are “excited to bring that energy to Polymarket, where fans can engage with the NHL and its teams in a new way.”

At Kalshi, CEO Tarek Mansour described the deal as “an important milestone for Kalshi and the industry at large,” adding that “to have a league like the NHL embrace Kalshi is a testament to the integrity, safety, and trust with consumers that Kalshi has spent years building.”

Why It Matters

This move signals how the NHL sees prediction markets not just as ancillary to sports betting, but as part of the fan-engagement ecosystem. By integrating platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket into its official partnerships roster, the NHL is acknowledging that structured prediction markets — where users can speculate on game outcomes, player performance metrics, or other event-linked variables — can offer another layer of interaction beyond traditional viewing or fantasy play.

Especially in the U.S. context, where sports leagues are navigating regulations around sports betting, sponsorship exposure, and fan engagement, this partnership underscores the NHL’s strategy of embracing innovation while retaining control via official data and branding rights. The league’s granting of logo usage and broadcast-slot signage ensures visibility for the partners while keeping the message aligned with the NHL’s credibility and brand integrity.

For Kalshi and Polymarket, the benefits are manifold: beyond the branding halo of being “official partners,” they now gain sanctioned access to NHL data and marks — differentiators in a competitive field of prediction and wagering platforms. The broadcast-board exposure during high-profile events offers a unique promotional reach into the core hockey-viewing audience.

Potential Fan Impact & Considerations

For fans, the immediate effect may be more visible signage and platform prompts; over time, the integration could evolve into new prediction-style products tied to NHL games or seasons. For example, fans might engage in predictions around which team advances, specific player performance thresholds, or special-event outcomes (Winter Classic MVP, series lengths, etc.) tied directly to NHL-licensed data.

One consideration: the NHL has taken steps to underscore that this is about “prediction markets” and fan engagement, rather than unregulated gambling. The league’s statements emphasize the integrity, safety, and emerging nature of the category. That may signal a careful approach around compliance, consumer protection, and the evolving regulatory environment in the U.S.

Next Stage – Implementation

With the deal now public, the next stage will be implementation: how Kalshi and Polymarket activate this partnership, what specific NHL-linked products they launch, and how the fan reaction unfolds. From the NHL’s vantage point, this is a chance to deepen engagement and perhaps attract younger, digital-native viewers who look for interactive layers beyond passive watching. For the prediction-market platforms, the endorsement of a major league like the NHL serves as a signal of legitimacy and scale.

In short, these multi-year partnerships reflect a broader shift: sports leagues embracing tech-driven engagement formats, fans responding to more interactive experiences, and platforms seeking to become the connective tissue between data, fandom, and speculation. For the NHL, Kalshi and Polymarket, and the broader ecosystem, the full impact will unfold over the coming seasons.