The NFL has reached multi-year agreements with DraftKings, FanDuel and Fanatics Betting and Gaming, establishing three official sports betting partners ahead of the 2026 season.
DraftKings and FanDuel have been NFL partners in the sports betting category since 2021, while the new agreement with Fanatics expands the company’s existing relationship with the league into sports betting.
Three Sportsbooks Get Access to NFL Branding and Data
Under the agreements, all three operators will be permitted to use NFL marks within the sports betting category while promoting both online and retail wagering.
DraftKings, FanDuel and Fanatics will also have a presence at major NFL events, including the Super Bowl and NFL Draft, along with access to hospitality and VIP experiences and integrations across NFL-owned digital media platforms.
The agreements also provide the sportsbooks with access to real-time official play-by-play statistics, proprietary Next Gen Stats and BetVision through Genius Sports, the NFL’s exclusive data distribution partner.
“We are thrilled to have three world-class partners in the sports betting category,” said Renie Anderson, NFL executive vice president and chief revenue officer. “DraftKings, FanDuel and Fanatics share our vision for innovation and fan engagement, but most importantly, our commitment to protecting the integrity of the game.”
NFL Emphasizes Game Integrity
The league is making game integrity a central component of the new partnerships.
All three sports betting operators have agreed to comply with the NFL’s core integrity policies while collaborating with the league on intelligence sharing, advocacy and responsible gambling initiatives.
That includes working together to prohibit certain types of wagers the NFL considers objectionable, including bets connected to officiating and injuries, as well as outcomes that could be known in advance or easily manipulated by one individual.
The NFL’s integrity program also includes monitoring for suspicious betting activity in coordination with law enforcement, regulators and outside partners.
Genius Sports provides real-time monitoring of betting patterns to identify potential manipulation, while every NFL club has an Integrity Representative, typically a retired FBI agent or senior law enforcement official.
Players, coaches, officials and staff are also required to undergo annual training on the NFL’s Gambling Policy and acknowledge the policy each year.
DraftKings and FanDuel Extend NFL Relationships
For DraftKings and FanDuel, the agreements extend relationships with the NFL that date back to 2021 in the sports betting category.
“Nothing compares to football season for DraftKings and our millions of customers,” said DraftKings Chief Marketing Officer Stephanie Sherman. “Working with the NFL allows us to put the DraftKings brand alongside the biggest games of the season, from Kickoff through the Super Bowl.”
FanDuel President Christian Genetski pointed to the growth of legal and regulated sports wagering during the companies’ relationship.
“For the last five years, the NFL has been an important partner in helping build a legal and regulated sports betting industry that puts fans and the integrity of the game at the center,” Genetski said.
DraftKings will also continue as the NFL’s Official Daily Fantasy Sports Partner, a relationship that began in 2019.
Fanatics Expands NFL Partnership
Fanatics’ agreement represents an expansion of its existing NFL relationship, which already includes collectibles and official league merchandise.
“We are thrilled to expand Fanatics’ partnership with the NFL to include Fanatics Sportsbook and Fanatics Casino, bringing fans even closer to the game they love,” said Matt King, CEO of Fanatics Betting and Gaming.
Fanatics will also become an Official Online Casino Marketing Partner of the NFL.
Responsible Gambling Remains Part of NFL Strategy
The league will continue its responsible gambling initiatives alongside its expanded commercial relationships.
The NFL launched its responsible betting campaign in 2021 and has provided two major grants to the National Council on Problem Gambling: $6.2 million in 2021 and another $6.4 million in 2024.
The league also works with the Responsible Gambling Council and International Center for Responsible Gaming on additional education, prevention and support programs.
Its “Stick to Your Game Plan, Always Bet Responsibly” television campaign will return during the 2026 season.
With DraftKings and FanDuel extending their relationships and Fanatics joining the sports betting category, the NFL enters the 2026 season with three major operators under multi-year agreements while continuing to emphasize game integrity and responsible gambling as central components of its betting strategy.
Photo: FanDuel
