Sportradar and Polymarket expand data deal to 20 sports leagues

Sportradar and the prediction platform Polymarket have announced a massive expansion of their strategic relationship. This move is set to transform the way sports fans interact with prediction markets by providing a deeper level of premium sports data, live streaming, and integrity services. The collaboration now covers more than 20 global sports leagues and competitions, representing approximately 300,000 matches per year. This scale provides an unprecedented level of market coverage for users worldwide.

One of the most significant aspects of this expansion is the inclusion of premium audiovisual content. Polymarket users will now have access to live streams of the German Bundesliga and Euroleague Basketball. Additionally, official data for Tennis Grand Slams and UTR Pro events are part of the new package. Sportradar is cementing its role as the foundational infrastructure provider for the rapidly growing prediction market ecosystem.

Numbers and facts

The volume of data involved in this deal is substantial. With the addition of new leagues, the partnership now services around 300,000 matches annually. This builds on an existing relationship that already included the ATP Tour, Major League Baseball (MLB), National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Soccer (MLS), and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). New additions include the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) and the National Basketball League (NBL).

"Accurate real-time data, premium live content and a robust integrity framework are what allow these markets to price efficiently, settle reliably, and retain the confidence of participants." - Carsten Koerl, CEO of Sportradar

Integrity services are a core pillar of this agreement. Sportradar utilizes its UFDS AI system to detect suspicious betting behavior and potential match-fixing. This is complemented by the Sportradar Integrity Exchange (SIE), a secure network where participants can share information regarding potential threats to the integrity of sporting events.

Background

Prediction markets differ from traditional sportsbooks by allowing participants to trade shares in the outcome of future events. The value of these shares fluctuates based on the perceived probability of the event occurring. Sportradar identifies this as a compelling growth opportunity. Ari Borod, President of Sports Business Development at Polymarket, noted that access to premium data at this scale is crucial for expanding their sports offering and driving deeper fan engagement through dynamic content such as scores and schedules.

Why it matters for German players

For residents in Germany, the regulatory situation remains strict. The Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) dictates that any gambling or betting offer must be licensed by the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL). Currently, Polymarket does not appear on the official GGL whitelist. Legal German operators must adhere to strict player protection rules, including a 1 Euro stake limit per spin for slots and a 1,000 Euro monthly deposit limit monitored via the LUGAS system. Prediction markets often operate in a legal gray area, and German users should be aware that they lack the legal protections offered by GGL-licensed sites when using unlicensed offshore platforms.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For GGL-licensed operators, this deal represents a significant technological challenge from international competitors. While German-licensed sites are restricted by tight advertising and technical regulations, international partnerships like Sportradar and Polymarket show the pace of innovation in merging live action with market activity. Licensed operators must rely on their own data providers, often including Sportradar, to maintain high-quality services while ensuring compliance. The GGL will likely monitor these developments closely as the lines between traditional sports betting and prediction markets continue to blur. However, licensed German sites still hold the advantage of legal certainty and consumer trust regarding responsible gaming.