Global demand for fantasy sports grew 3% in a year, more than four times faster than the overall iGaming market
Fantasy sports is gaining ground within the global iGaming industry, with demand for the category increasing by 3% between July 2025 and June 2026. That growth was significantly ahead of the wider iGaming market, where demand rose by just 0.7%.
The figures come from Blask’s Fantasy Sports 2026 report, which examined demand across 100 countries and all 50 US states.
Fantasy sports continues to expand
According to the report, Blask’s overall iGaming Index increased from 59.1 million to 60.8 million during the period, representing annual growth of 0.7%.
Fantasy sports, meanwhile, recorded a 3% increase, lifting its share of total iGaming demand to 6.4%.
The growth was not limited to a handful of major markets. Blask found that 49 of the 100 countries analysed recorded increases in both fantasy sports demand and its share of the wider market.
Another 22 markets saw fantasy demand increase even though its overall market share declined, while 25 countries experienced decreases in both measures.
Romania among fastest-growing markets
Some of the strongest growth came from mid-sized European markets.
Lithuania led the ranking with 100% growth, followed by Romania at 94% and Hungary at 90%.
The picture is different when looking at overall market size. The US and UK remain the two biggest fantasy sports markets, together accounting for around 40% of global demand.
The figures highlight a clear distinction between scale and momentum: the markets generating the largest volumes are not necessarily the ones growing the fastest.
International tournaments bring a seasonal slowdown
Blask also identified a recurring seasonal pattern around major international football tournaments.
Fantasy sports demand tends to dip during events such as the 2022 FIFA World Cup, UEFA EURO 2024 and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The report links the decline to the suspension of domestic club competitions, which affects season-long fantasy products.
Despite these temporary downturns, the category still managed to post 3% growth across the full 12-month period.
Premier League and NFL could drive the next wave
The timing of the report coincides with the return of two major sporting competitions that are important drivers for fantasy activity.
The 2026/27 Premier League season began on August 21, while the new NFL season is scheduled to start on September 9.
Both competitions are expected to provide fresh momentum for fantasy sports operators as regular domestic schedules return.
For the iGaming sector, the latest figures point to fantasy sports as one of the categories showing stronger-than-average demand at a time when overall market growth remains relatively modest. The coming months, driven by the football and NFL calendars, could provide another boost to the segment.