Blask: Demand for Fantasy Sports Grows by 3% Annually, Outpacing the iGaming Market

The global demand for fantasy sports increased by 3% year-on-year between July 2025 and June 2026, more than quadrupling the growth of the overall iGaming market, which advanced by only 0.7%. This is highlighted in the latest report 'Fantasy Sports 2026' by Blask, which covers 100 countries and all U.S. states. This dynamic positions fantasy sports as a significant growth engine within the global betting ecosystem.

Direct Comparison: Fantasy Sports and the iGaming Market

The Blask Index, the company’s proprietary indicator for measuring demand across all iGaming categories, rose from 59.1 million to 60.8 million during the analyzed period. The fantasy sports segment stood out further, growing by 3% and raising its share of total global demand to 6.4%.

The growth of fantasy sports was not confined to a few markets; it was widespread. Blask reports that in 49 of the 100 countries studied, both demand and share for fantasy sports increased simultaneously. In contrast, only in 25 countries did both indicators decline, and in 22, demand rose while share dropped, reflecting nuances in the sector's progress locally versus the overall iGaming landscape.

Growth Rates and Major Markets in Fantasy Sports

Lithuania, Romania, and Hungary stood out as the countries with the highest annual growth rates for fantasy sports, with increases of 100%, 94%, and 90% respectively. While these figures come from smaller bases, they confirm the potential for regional expansion in the segment.

In terms of absolute volume, the United Kingdom and the United States continued to be the global leaders, accounting for 40% of worldwide fantasy sports demand combined. This supremacy reinforces the role of these markets in the evolution and standardization of fantasy products internationally, relevant for both operators and B2B providers.

Seasonal Effects: National Tournaments and Transitory Drops

Blask identified an important seasonal trait: during major national tournaments — the 2022 World Cup, the 2024 European Championship, and the 2026 World Cup — the demand for fantasy sports experienced drops compared to the season baseline. The firm attributes this phenomenon to pauses in club leagues and seasonal fantasy formats, which often depend on the continuity of local competitions. Despite these temporary declines, the annual balance remained positive and secured the global advancement of the segment.

“The growth of fantasy sports in 2026 was not just the effect of large markets or specific niches. We saw simultaneous advancement in almost half of the measured countries,” the Blask 'Fantasy Sports 2026' report emphasized.

Outlook: Start of New Seasons and Trends

The Blask study contextualized these data points ahead of the imminent peak of activity for fantasy sports: the start of the 2026/27 Premier League on August 21 and the opening of the NFL season on September 9. These events represent critical points for capturing new users and consolidating the existing base, both in established and emerging markets.

The report's figures enable operators, platforms, and developers to adjust their strategies to seasonal and evolutionary market dynamics, as well as identify priority markets. The uneven progress by country and the presence of temporary declines during national tournament events confirm the need for differentiated approaches and close monitoring of key demand indicators in fantasy sports and their relationship with the international iGaming universe.

What It Means for iGaming Providers and Operators

Platforms, operators, and technology partners addressing the fantasy sports vertical face a significant expansion in demand in the short and medium term. The Blask report validates the robustness of the segment against the general advance of iGaming, opens opportunities for solutions tailored to growing markets such as Lithuania, Romania, and Hungary, and establishes clear trends for product development in light of seasonal peaks. Attention to seasonal dynamics, specific regional segments, and consolidation in key markets will be crucial for future value capture and in offering competitive products in the sector.