Key Moments:
- CME Group’s regulatory filing indicates anticipated FanDuel Predicts launch on December 6
- Initial contracts span major U.S. pro and collegiate sports leagues with broad coverage
- Filing reveals operational details, including 24/7 trading hours and scheduled maintenance periods
Early December Launch Revealed Through CME Filings
FanDuel may be on the cusp of unveiling its long-awaited prediction markets, as recent filings from its partner CME Group suggest a launch could happen the first weekend of December. Disclosures submitted by CME detail the introduction of “Event Contract Swaps” tied to major U.S. sports leagues as well as collegiate competitions. These contracts are scheduled for trade commencing on December 6, signaling that FanDuel Predicts could soon be available to users.
Comprehensive Coverage on Day One
According to filings dated November 18, CME outlined plans to support trading across professional basketball, football, hockey, and both collegiate football and men’s basketball. The contracts listed cover teams in cities such as Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, and Chicago, providing evidence that this will not be a small-scale trial but rather a broad market rollout. Technical preparations are clear as each contract is accompanied by specific Globex and clearing codes, indicating readiness for trading activity once approvals are finalized.
Regulatory Status and Operational Framework
While the filings show a projected December 6 go-live date, actual launch depends on the completion of required review periods by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. CME’s documentation points to optimism about eventual approval, as technical and operational plans are already in place. Additional details include trading hours anticipated to run continuously, with only short maintenance windows early Tuesdays and Saturdays, and a mandatory one-minute daily pause required to advance the trading date—details that provide transparency into the platform’s framework.
Unanswered Questions Amid Minimal Public Updates
FanDuel initially introduced its new predictive markets offering in early November, hinting at a December start but without specifying a date. Since that preview, both FanDuel and CME have not released further statements or confirmations, leaving industry analysts to interpret developments from available regulatory filings. The latest CME submission, even without direct mention of the Predicts app, matches previous public communications regarding the product’s scope and timeline.
Potential Impact on Sports and Trading Landscapes
If trading begins as indicated in the CME filing, FanDuel Predicts will become a pioneering offering, merging consumer sports prediction markets with federally regulated derivatives trading. The product aims to allow sports fans to interact with outcomes not just as traditional bets, but as tradeable event contracts under oversight. With December approaching, the industry is watching closely as FanDuel prepares for what could be a significant evolution in the way sports prediction markets operate in the United States.
| Event | Date | Coverage | Trading Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| CME Filing Submitted | November 18 | Professional and College Sports | Pre-launch regulatory review |
| Proposed Trading Start | December 6 | Teams from Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, others | 24/7 trading, scheduled maintenance, daily halt |
- Author
Daniel Williams
