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DraftKings is leaning into the excitement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a nationwide series of watch parties and new marketing campaigns featuring soccer icons Javier “Chicharito” Hernández and Alex Morgan.
The sportsbook operator announced the initiative June 9, just ahead of the tournament’s June 11 kickoff. Co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the 2026 FIFA World Cup runs through July 19 and features 104 matches across 16 host cities. It is also the first World Cup to include 48 national teams, making it the largest edition in tournament history.
As one of the largest sports betting operators in the United States, DraftKings is using the global event to strengthen engagement with soccer fans through in-person experiences, expanded betting offerings and new platform features.
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DraftKings brings World Cup action to fans nationwide
DraftKings is hosting watch parties in Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami and Hoboken, New Jersey. Open to guests 21 and older, the events feature live match viewing, giveaways, special appearances and interactive fan activations.
The series kicked off June 12 at Harriet’s West Hollywood in Los Angeles, where Hernández, a DraftKings brand ambassador, made a special appearance.
The next stop is June 19 at Christies Sports Bar & Grill in Dallas. The event is scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. CT, with kickoff set for 2 p.m.
Additional watch parties are scheduled in Miami on June 24, June 27, July 3 and July 11. The June 27 slate includes events at LIV at Fontainebleau Miami Beach and Komodo Miami. Other Miami-area activations will take place at Gekko and LIV at Fontainebleau.
In Hoboken, DraftKings will host events June 25 and June 26 at The Shepherd & the Knucklehead. Former NFL star Chad Ochocinco, host of DraftKings-sponsored soccer podcast “The Late Run,” will emcee the June 25 event.
“The World Cup is one of the biggest sporting moments in the world, and DraftKings is excited to deliver best-in-class fan experiences that bring customers closer to the action,” DraftKings Chief Customer Officer Shawn Henley said in a DraftKings press release.
Soccer legends lead DraftKings’ World Cup campaigns
DraftKings is also rolling out new commercial campaigns featuring Hernández and Morgan, two of the sport’s most recognizable figures.
Hernández remains Mexico’s all-time leading scorer with 52 goals in 109 international appearances. He represented El Tri at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups and continues to be one of the most recognizable personalities in North American soccer.
Morgan retired from professional soccer in September 2024 following a decorated 15-year career. She won FIFA Women’s World Cup titles with the US Women’s National Team in 2015 and 2019 and captured Olympic gold at the 2012 London Games. Morgan finished her international career with 123 goals in 224 appearances, ranking among the top scorers in USWNT history.
DraftKings enhances World Cup betting experience
DraftKings has expanded its soccer betting menu for the tournament, offering live betting, player props, Same-Game Parlays, event contracts and micromarkets throughout the competition. With matches running from June 11 through the July 19 final, fans have World Cup betting opportunities available daily throughout the tournament.
The sportsbook has also integrated Spanish-language functionality, helping broaden access for Spanish-speaking customers during one of the most-watched sporting events in the world.
Meanwhile, DraftKings continues to expand its DraftKings Sports & Casino Super App, which combines Sportsbook, Predictions, Casino and Lottery products into a single platform. Available features vary by jurisdiction.
Responsible gaming remains central to World Cup rollout
DraftKings said responsible gambling remains a key component of its World Cup strategy. Available tools include self-exclusion programs, cooling-off periods and deposit limits designed to help customers manage their play responsibly.
According to the company, these resources are intended to encourage customers to view sports betting as a form of entertainment and maintain control over their activity throughout the tournament.
