Polymarket is the world’s biggest prediction market across every category. Novig is a US sports-only exchange that became CFTC-licensed in 2026. They overlap only on sports, and for most people the real choice depends on where you live: Polymarket’s main exchange isn’t open to Americans, and Novig is US-only. For US sports traders, the fair comparison is Novig against the Polymarket US app.
Side by side
| Polymarket (main) | Polymarket US | Novig | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who can use it | Outside restricted countries; not the US | Eligible US residents | US, 21+, except Arizona, Nevada and Michigan |
| Regulation | Offshore exchange | CFTC-regulated | CFTC-designated contract market since June 2026 |
| Markets | Everything: politics, sports, crypto, culture, tech | Sports, politics, crypto, economics and more | Sports only |
| Money | Crypto (pUSD on Polygon) | USD | USD; bank, crypto or card deposits |
| Sports taker fee | 0.05 × p × (1 − p) per share | 0.0695 × p × (1 − p) | None pre-game; 0.06 × p × (1 − p) on live and futures trades (details) |
From each platform’s help centre and documentation, checked October 2026.
Novig in brief
Novig runs a peer-to-peer sports exchange: users trade against each other on game results and other outcomes, with no bookmaker setting the line. Its exchange, Ludlow Exchange LLC, was designated by the CFTC in June 2026, and it launched nationally in August 2026. It covers pro and college football, baseball, basketball, hockey, golf, tennis, soccer and MMA. Novig’s help centre says you must be 21 or older and that it’s available nationwide except Arizona, Nevada and Michigan. Card and Apple Pay deposits carry a 3% fee; bank and crypto deposits are free, according to its pricing page. See our Novig profile.
Polymarket for sports
Polymarket’s sports markets include game lines, futures and props across major leagues, with very large volume on the biggest games. Its main-exchange sports taker fee is 0.05 × price × (1 − price), and makers pay nothing. Here are the most traded sports markets right now:
Polymarket sports: most traded
Latest price for “Yes”, shown as an implied chance. Polymarket volume in USD, Kalshi in contracts. Updated 3 min ago.
Which is better for you?
- Outside the US: Novig isn’t an option; Polymarket’s main exchange (where allowed) or Kalshi in its supported countries.
- In the US, sports only: Novig or Polymarket US, both CFTC-regulated. Compare the prices on the games you trade, and check your state.
- In the US, more than sports: Polymarket US or Kalshi. Novig doesn’t list politics, economics or culture.
Choose Polymarket
You want every category, the deepest global markets (outside the US), or one US app for sports and other events (Polymarket US).
Choose Novig
You’re 21+, in a supported US state, and only trade sports on an exchange built for it.
FAQ
Is Novig legal?
Can Americans use Polymarket for sports?
How old do you have to be for Novig?
Related: Novig review · Kalshi vs Novig · Novig alternatives · Novig fees · Polymarket alternatives · Polymarket US · Sports markets