2026 is whizzing by at breakneck speed, but there is plenty of the year left. In the world of sports betting, there is always a trend to be spotted. Whether it is sporting action or another innovative development in the industry, the activity never stands still. A few buzz words have already emerged when it comes to sports betting that are expected to continue trending this year. Here are a few to keep an eye on to get you through 2026.
2026 FIFA World Cup
The summer showpiece will unfortunately not feature the Irish lads after they were knocked out on penalties by Czechia in devastating fashion. Nonetheless, the spectacle is expected to be followed fervently by Irish folk. With an expanded format involving 48 teams, there will be more action to follow and wager on at https://tonybet.com/ie. Perhaps being a neutral will spare any additional stress and heartache.
Premier Horse Racing Events
While football is well followed, horse racing lies particularly close to Irish hearts. With Irish breeders enjoying another successful outing at Cheltenham, attention turns to the remaining premier events this year. The two that Irish trainers, jockeys, and horse racing fans have circled in their diaries are Royal Ascot and the Irish Derby. The pair take place on back-to-back weeks in June with preparations already underway for the likes of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott.
Mobile Betting
The rise of sports betting in recent years has been driven by advances made in the technology branch. Smartphones already held prominent levels of importance, but it seems they have now become essential items on our person. For sports betting, this aspect is hugely beneficial. Online sports betting companies have been able to take advantage of increased time spent on smartphones by the Irish public, as well as the powerful, reliable, well-connected devices into which they have evolved. Sports fans looking for sports betting platforms have convenience, practicality, and portability all rolled into one with mobile betting.
Innovative Responsibility Measures
When it comes to online gambling in general, more people are talking about responsibility. Operators are promoting this act more and players themselves are becoming more self aware of their own responsibilities. And under the new regulatory structure, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has been tasked with implementing safety and security measures that both parties are to interact with.
Beyond measures that already exist such as spending and deposit limits, reality checks, and self-exclusion programmes, operators might lean on Artificial Intelligence (AI) more to spot risks in real time. Other more simple measures could include automatic account logouts after a designated period and scheduled reminders to check account balances and personalised safety measures.
More Community Engagement
Sports betting operators are constantly looking to improve their offerings. Static odds betting, accumulators, and in-play betting have laid the foundations for a diverse user experience. But that could be taken further with more focus placed on engaging customers more regularly. With AI able to support online sports operators in collating and analysing data, operators are now able to create more interactive features using that information. Attention retention features such as polls, real time predictions, and conversations and debates could be set to produce communal interaction on an entirely new level.
Continued Growth
Perhaps the ultimate trend for 2026 is the potential of sports betting in Ireland. There is no doubting the passion Irish people have for the Gaelic Games, rugby, horse racing, football, and even cricket. But sports betting is expected to continue on a positive trajectory, despite uncertainty surrounding the new centralised regulatory system in place. With the world becoming more digitalised, online entertainment options such as sports betting will become more accessible. With more features expected, it also belongs to the future of entertainment.