Where to Place Wagers in Cities 2026 World Cup Host Cities

Michael Savio
By: Michael Savio
World Cup 2026
Photo by Nserrano, CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo by Nserrano, CC BY-SA 3.0

Key Takeaways

  • Six host cities have legal sports betting markets
  • Sports betting remains illegal in both Texas and California
  • Sports prediction markets are legal under US federal law

At long last, the 2026 World Cup is finally here!

Fans who are lucky enough to attend the tournament in the US and want to bet on matches will have different options depending on the host cities they visit. States enact their own sports betting laws, with some yet to legalize the industry. That can make it hard for international visitors to navigate, but we are here to help!

We’ll provide a brief guide to help fans find safe and legal soccer betting sites in each US city hosting World Cup matches this summer.

Host Cities With Legal Sports Betting

Unfortunately for fans of traditional sportsbooks, only about half of US host cities offer legal sports betting. Below is a table showing which cities currently offer regulated markets.

Host

What’s Legal?

Minimum Age

Boston, MA

Retail & Online 

21

Kansas City, MO

Retail & Online 

21

Miami, FL

Retail & Online 

21

New York & New Jersey

Retail & Online 

21

Philadelphia, PA

Retail & Online 

21

Seattle, WA

Retail Only

18

Fans visiting the Miami area will only have access to Hard Rock’s online and retail sportsbooks. The state signed an exclusive deal with the Seminole Tribe, which owns Hard Rock, giving them full control of the massive market.

Those of you heading to Seattle won’t have access to state-wide online betting. However, several casinos near the city offer retail sportsbooks.

Host Cities Without Legal Sports Betting

Surprisingly, two of the largest states in the country do not offer any form of legal sports betting. That means many fans won’t have access to traditional sportsbooks while visiting for the tournament.

Below are the host cities where fans won’t be able to find legal sportsbooks:

  • Atlanta, GA
  • Dallas, TX
  • Houston, TX
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • San Francisco, CA

Legal Alternatives to Sportsbooks

If you are someone visiting one of the cities with legal betting or are 19-20 years old, you can still legally wager on the World Cup.

Sports prediction markets have exploded in popularity across the US over the last year. While most states are opposed to the emerging industry, they remain legal in all 50 states under the federal Commodity Exchange Act. Kalshi and Polymarket lead the industry, which also features familiar names like DraftKings and FanDuel.

The minimum age to use prediction markets is 18, making it an option for younger bettors looking to get in on the action. 

Many operators also accept crypto, which is something traditional sportsbooks don’t. That can make sports prediction markets a preferable option for visitors from outside the US.

Michael is an avid sports fan and a veteran bettor from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He learned the trade from his grandfather in Las Vegas as a kid. As an adult, Michael started picking games for a small sports betting site and has built it into a career. His experience allows him to provide tips and information to help other bettors improve their game. Michael cheers for all Wisconsin pro teams, the Arizona State Sun Devils (his alma mater), and the Ottawa Senators. He specializes in baseball betting but has extensive experience in football, basketball, and hockey. When he isn’t pouring over stats, he’s spending time with his two young children or hiking and enjoying the outdoors.

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