Fantasy Sports Global Market Report 2026

Fantasy sports, also known as rotisserie sports or roto, involve games where players manage virtual teams competing based on the statistical performance of real-life players in actual games. Participants take on the roles of general manager and field manager, assembling teams through drafts and deals for the highest statistical output.

The primary categories of fantasy sports encompass football, baseball, basketball, hockey, cricket, and others. Fantasy football involves participants engaging in an interactive game where they act as general managers of virtual clubs, competing against each other. In fantasy baseball, individuals assume the roles of owners and general managers of virtual baseball teams comprised of actual Major League baseball players. Fantasy basketball is a game in which players take on the role of general managers, creating fantasy teams by drafting National Basketball Association players based primarily on their basketball statistics. Fantasy hockey involves building a team that competes with others based on the statistics generated by professional hockey players or teams, often centered around the National Hockey League. Fantasy Cricket is an online game that relies on strategic planning, requiring players to create virtual teams of real cricketers participating in matches worldwide, with points scored based on their real-life performances. Various usage types, including free, paid, and hybrid, are implemented across platforms such as websites and mobile applications. Fantasy sports find application in both individual and team competitions.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are impacting the fantasy sports market by increasing costs of imported servers, data processing hardware, networking equipment, and digital infrastructure used to support large-scale fantasy platforms. North America and Europe are most affected due to reliance on advanced IT infrastructure, while Asia-Pacific faces cost pressures related to platform expansion and localization. These tariffs can raise operational costs for platform providers. However, they are also encouraging cloud-based optimization, regional data center investments, and innovation in software-efficient fantasy sports platforms.

The fantasy sports market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides fantasy sports market statistics, including fantasy sports industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a fantasy sports market share, detailed fantasy sports market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the fantasy sports industry. This fantasy sports market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The fantasy sports market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $34.08 billion in 2025 to $38.94 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of professional sports leagues, expansion of internet and smartphone penetration, rising fan interest in sports analytics, increasing availability of real-time sports data, growth of online gaming platforms.

The fantasy sports market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $67.32 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing adoption of ai-driven player insights, rising demand for immersive fantasy sports experiences, expansion of fantasy sports into emerging markets, growing monetization through subscriptions and microtransactions, increasing integration with live sports broadcasts. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of mobile-based fantasy sports platforms, rising integration of real-time data and analytics, growing popularity of paid and hybrid fantasy leagues, expansion of social and community features in fantasy apps, enhanced focus on user experience and gamification.

The increasing use of social media is expected to accelerate the growth of the fantasy sports market in the coming years. Social media refers to online platforms and technologies that allow users to create, share, and exchange content, information, and ideas within virtual communities. These platforms provide a space for fans to connect, share experiences, and form communities, enabling real-time discussions, team interactions, and frequent updates that enhance the fantasy sports experience and encourage greater participation. For example, in 2024, the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association (FSGA), a U.S.-based nonprofit trade organization, reported that 85 million U.S. adults participated in fantasy sports or sports betting - both reaching record highs, with more users choosing only one activity. Therefore, the rising use of social media is fueling growth in the fantasy sports market.

Prominent companies in the fantasy sports market are actively developing innovative products, particularly fantasy sports platforms, to cater to larger customer bases, drive sales, and boost revenue. A fantasy sports platform is an online application or website that empowers users to create and manage virtual sports teams comprising real-life players from professional sports leagues. As an illustration, in September 2023, Mojo, a US-based company specializing in hypercasual games, introduced a daily fantasy sports game known as Mojo Fantasy. Setting itself apart with unique features, the platform offers contests where users can engage by selecting combinations of at least four player-based props, introducing a strategic element to the gaming experience. An intriguing aspect is the real-time trading option, enabling users to trade specific bets while salaries fluctuate throughout the contest, creating an interactive and dynamic gaming environment. Additionally, Mojo facilitates the creation of portfolios that directly compete during live matches, elevating engagement and competitiveness. Noteworthy is the startup's revenue model, which involves taking three to five percent of the buy-in on each contest, establishing a sustainable framework for its operations.

In July 2024, RSports Interactive, a US-based fantasy sports platform, acquired GameBlazers for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is intended to merge fantasy sports, gaming, and collectibles into a unified fan experience through gamification. The integration is anticipated to enhance RSports' portfolio and offer engaging experiences for both dedicated and casual sports fans in the US. GameBlazers is a US-based daily fantasy sports gaming company.

Major companies operating in the fantasy sports market are ESPN Inc., FanDuel Group, DraftKings Inc., CBS Sports, Dream Sports, PlayON Fantasy Sports, Mobile Premier League, PlayUp Limited, PrizePicks, RotoWire.com LLC, FantasyPros, Fantrax LLC, Sleeper, Boom Sports, MyFantasyLeague.com, 11Wickets, Sofa Superstars, WinView Games, BalleBaazi, NFL Fantasy Football, Yahoo Fantasy Sports, NBC Sports Edge, Fox Sports Fantasy Football, Draft Team Fantasy Sports, Sportito, FSM Fantasy Sports

North America was the largest region in the fantasy sports market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the fantasy sports market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

The countries covered in the fantasy sports market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The fantasy sports market includes revenues earned by entities by operating E-sports facilities. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

Fantasy Sports Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses fantasy sports market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for fantasy sports ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The fantasy sports market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Sports Type: Football; Baseball; Basket Ball; Hockey; Cricket; Other Types
• 2) By Platform: Website; Mobile Application
• 3) By Usage Type: Free; Paid; Hybrid
• 4) By Application: Individual Competition; Team Competition
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Football: American Football; Association Football (Soccer)
• 2) By Baseball: Major League Baseball (MLB); Minor League Baseball
• 3) By Basketball: National Basketball Association (NBA); College Basketball
• 4) By Hockey: National Hockey League (NHL); International Hockey
• 5) By Cricket: Twenty20 Leagues; One Day Internationals (ODIs); Test Matches
• 6) By Other Types: Golf; Tennis; eSports; Auto Racing; Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
• Companies Mentioned: ESPN Inc.; FanDuel Group; DraftKings Inc.; CBS Sports; Dream Sports; PlayON Fantasy Sports; Mobile Premier League; PlayUp Limited; PrizePicks; RotoWire.com LLC; FantasyPros; Fantrax LLC; Sleeper; Boom Sports; MyFantasyLeague.com; 11Wickets; Sofa Superstars; WinView Games; BalleBaazi; NFL Fantasy Football; Yahoo Fantasy Sports; NBC Sports Edge; Fox Sports Fantasy Football; Draft Team Fantasy Sports; Sportito; FSM Fantasy Sports
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain.
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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