Prediction market events trading platform Kalshi has released its events trading volume report for the early part of July, and it is dominated by Major League Baseball as well as Wimbledon for tennis - which was not surprising. But the report also had some surprising entries, such as Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, which accounted for 10% of all the volume in trading.

In a week defined by both athletic prowess and oddly specific wagering, sports betting has once again taken center stage at Kalshi, the US-regulated prediction market platform. For the week ending in July 6, sports-related markets accounted for more than 70% of total trading volume, with tennis, Major League Baseball, and the ever-iconic Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest leading the pack.

According to the latest volume data, eight of Kalshi's top ten markets were sports-related, and 12 of the top 20 overall fell under the sports category. Although overall trading volume remains below the peaks seen during NBA and NHL seasons, the latest figures show a strong resurgence in market activity tied to live sports events.

Wimbledon wagers take the crown

Kalshi users were particularly engaged with Wimbledon betting, which accounted for more than one-third of all trading volume on the platform last week. Tennis fans and traders were drawn to a wide array of betting opportunities - from forecasting winners of the men's and women's singles tournaments to speculating on individual match outcomes.

Part of the appeal comes from the sheer number of matchups available in the tournament's early rounds, creating ample opportunities for varied predictions. These markets were not only available on Kalshi directly but also accessible via trading apps like Robinhood.

Baseball betting hits a home run and hotdog eating contest sizzles with activity

Major League Baseball also drew significant attention, making up more than 16% of total market activity. Kalshi's KXMLBGAME market - which covers single-game outcomes - saw robust participation, suggesting a consistent appetite for daily sports speculation among traders. As the MLB season marches on, these day-to-day markets are likely to remain a steady source of volume for the platform.

In what could only be described as a blend of sports, spectacle, and satire, the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest commanded nearly 10% of Kalshi's weekly trading. Traders were able to place bets not only on the contest's male winner (KXNATHANSHD) but also on how many hot dogs he would consume (KXNATHANDOGS). While these wagers may seem frivolous - the font about it being a 'serious financial market and hedging opportunity' is oozing with sarcasm - the market activity says otherwise. Notably, there were no markets available for the women's division of the contest.

Beyond the big three, Kalshi traders also engaged with several niche and emerging sports markets. These included bets on the John Deere Classic of the PGA Tour, the Grant Park 165 NASCAR race, the FIFA Club World Cup matches, WNBA games, and finally, Major League Soccer matchups. Interestingly, Kalshi did not offer a market on the widely anticipated Gold Cup championship match between the US and Mexico.

Non-sports markets still active but overshadowed

While sports betting dominated the top 20, other prediction markets managed to maintain a presence. These included economic forecasts like Bitcoin's daily price, S&P index levels, and the Federal Reserve's next rate decision. Political and entertainment markets also made the cut, including predictions on the 2028 Democratic presidential nominee, the New York City mayoral race, and even the Rotten Tomatoes score for the upcoming film Jurassic World Rebirth.

Despite more than a thousand markets being live on Kalshi, the top 20 accounted for a staggering 87% of all trading volume - which strongly demonstrates the platform's skewed focus on high-engagement events and culturally resonant topics. As sports continue to dominate trading sentiment on Kalshi, the intersection of entertainment, economics, and eccentric events promises a fascinating glimpse into what traders truly care about - or at least what they're willing to stake money on.