Altenar's revealing report on World Cup betting

Bet Builders Nearly Double Their Share

Altenar found that Bet Builders accounted for 39.6% of all singles bets during the 2026 World Cup, compared with 20.28% at UEFA Euro 2024. The revealing report highlights the growing popularity of multi-selection betting and examines the fixtures where this format was most widely adopted.

Stakes Increase as the Tournament Progresses

Bettors also increased their spending as the competition reached its decisive stages. Average stakes rose from approximately €3–5 during the group stage to €10–13 in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final, reflecting greater engagement with high-profile matches.

Star Players Drive Betting Interest

The revealing report also explores how fame, form and fan sentiment influenced betting behaviour. Player markets saw particularly strong growth, with Player Special market turnover reaching around 400% of its Euro 2024 level, driven largely by interest in the tournament’s biggest names.

Insights for Sportsbook Operators

Altenar’s analysis covers stake behaviour, Bet Builder adoption, singles and multiples, market preferences, match-level turnover, outright markets and goalscorer betting. It also examines the relationship between bettor attitudes and tournament outcomes.

Thanos Ntakis, Account Management Director at Altenar, said “This data gives us a clear view of how betting behaviour evolved throughout the tournament: from the growing popularity of Bet Builders to the significant increase in stakes around the decisive fixtures. This is where the flexibility and depth of Altenar’s sportsbook really come into play. The ability to support a broad range of markets, respond to changing betting trends and deliver engaging experiences across different stages of a major tournament gives our partners the tools to capture these opportunities as they emerge.”

The report ultimately provides operators with insights into how football bettors behave when the stakes are highest, identifying opportunities around major matches, popular markets and changing betting patterns.