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DraftKings and ESPN have streamlined the fan experience by allowing users to link their accounts across both platforms just in time for the tournament. This integration enables personalized betting options based on brackets entered into the ESPN Tournament Challenge, allowing fans to seamlessly wager on the specific players and teams they selected in their contests.
The rollout arrives as the industry prepares for a massive month of activity. For those looking to navigate the tournament’s unique landscape, this March Madness 2026 survival guide provides essential tips, while early projections suggest a record-breaking 2026 March Madness betting handle as digital integrations become more sophisticated.
DraftKings and ESPN: Building a sports betting “super app”
“DraftKings and ESPN share a deep passion for sports and a commitment to enhancing how fans engage with the moments that matter most—especially during the pinnacle of the college basketball season,” Sherman said.
ESPN leadership echoed this sentiment. Mike Morrison, ESPN vice president, noted that the “Bet Your Bracket” feature is only the beginning of a larger personalization strategy.
“Account linking creates a level of personalization that no one else in the market can match,” Morrison said. “Soon, fans will be able to seamlessly track upcoming, live, and settled bets within the ESPN app and on ESPN.com, and receive bets and timely promotions based on their favorite sports, teams, players, and fantasy rosters.”
The Bet Your Bracket March Madness rollout
Users can connect their online sportsbook profiles by navigating to the Bet Your Bracket feature within either interface. As an introductory incentive, users will receive one month of free ESPN Unlimited after successfully linking their accounts.
From ESPN Bet to DraftKings: A shift in strategy
The ESPN and DraftKings partnership has been years in the making. ESPN first proposed linking the ESPN and ESPN Bet apps in August 2023, though the functionality did not debut until a year later.
A more “deep integration” was attempted during the 2025 NFL season for fantasy football wagering. However, that specific partnership was eventually dissolved after two years when the integration failed to significantly grow ESPN Bet’s market share, leading to the current strategic pivot with DraftKings.
