# Fantasy Sports Apps bet365 Launched Its Free-to-Play Fantasy Sports App Ahead of World Cup 2026 By Adam Harrie | Published 2026-06-04 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fantasy-sports-app References: [businesswire](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260604877089/en/bet365-Launches-Fantasy-Sports-a-New-Era-of-Fantasy-Competition)  [bet365](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bayes-esports-1) launched the bet365 Fantasy Sports app across the United States and Canada, debuting ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a free-to-play mobile game for users aged 18 and older. Developed with gamification platform LOW6, the app combines collectible athlete card packs, real-player statistics, division-based leaderboards and a training feature that allows users to spend in-game coins to improve athlete attributes. Daily card pack openings, a refer-a-friend program and a subscription tier for additional coins further support engagement. The launch coincides with bet365's World Cup [sportsbook promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fanduel), including an Early Payout Offer that triggers a win when a selected team takes a two-goal lead and a Sub On Play On feature that transfers bets to a substituted player's replacement. bet365 shows how [free-to-play fantasy mechanics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rookies-fantasy) can extend fan engagement beyond traditional sports wagering. Image Credit: Shutterstock/Alexanderstock23 ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 15% | Activity: 18% | Freshness: 77% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Sports](https://www.trendhunter.com/sports) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Free-to-play Wagering:** Sportsbook-adjacent games are creating low-risk entry points where regulated betting brands can build fan habits before users transition into paid wagering environments. - **Collectible Athlete Cards:** Digital card packs tied to real-player performance blend fantasy sports, gaming and fandom into recurring engagement loops with monetizable virtual economies. - **Gamified Fan Retention:** Leaderboards, training mechanics and referral rewards are turning major sporting events into always-on mobile ecosystems that extend interaction beyond match days. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Sports Betting:** Free-to-play fantasy products provide regulated operators with a compliant channel for acquisition, education and retention around marquee global tournaments. - **Mobile Gaming:** Fantasy sports apps reflect a growing overlap between casual game design and live sports data, creating new formats for repeat play and subscription-based enhancements. - **Sports Media:** Real-time statistics, athlete collectibles and fan competitions deepen audience participation, expanding the role of media platforms from content distribution to interactive engagement. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Collectibles Licensing Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/longterm-exclusive-collectibles.md) - [Dedicated Social Event Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiktok-pro-events.md) - [World Cup Payment Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tap-in.md) - [World Cup Gaming Contests](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/splash-sports.md) - [Interactive Soccer Viewing Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fifa-club-world-cup-2025.md) - [Digital Soccer Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/deltatre-forge.md) - [Football Challenge Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beat-the-icon.md) - [Engaging E-Soccer Video Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/betby-x-battle-fc.md) - [Points-Powered Sports Travel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pointspowered-sports-travel.md)