Meta develops 'Arena' prediction‑markets app aimed at 100 million users

Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, is creating a standalone prediction‑markets application called Arena. The app will initially operate with a gamified points system rather than real‑money wagers, allowing users to bet on events ranging from sports to politics. Meta’s internal target is at least 100 million monthly active users, focusing on the 18‑34 age group, and the project is classified as a high‑priority experimental venture.

Zuckerberg has instructed executives to explore partnerships with existing platforms Polymarket and Kalshi, which together moved roughly $130 billion in 2026. Arena is expected to launch as an independent app before potentially integrating with Facebook, Messenger, Reels and News Feed. The points‑based launch is intended to sidestep current gambling licences, though Meta has not ruled out real‑cash betting in the future.

The initiative follows Meta’s earlier, short‑lived Forecast app (2020‑2022) and comes amid growing regulatory scrutiny of prediction markets worldwide. Internal communications quote product lead Ime Archibong: “We believe that predictive markets are one of the hottest new content formats,” adding the slogan “Betting as conversation.” Early market reactions saw shares of DraftKings, Flutter Entertainment and Robinhood dip modestly.