Prediction Markets News Today: Hall of Fame Game TD Market, NL MVP Race Heat Up

Written By Nick Crain | Published at August 6, 2026
Aug 5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Football is officially back today as the NFL's first preseason game of the year takes place tonight. As a result, prediction markets surrounding football are beginning to heat up, making them some of the biggest stories in prediction markets news today.

Meanwhile, Major League Baseball is entering the stretch run of its season, meaning award races are becoming even more compelling. Young stars are emerging and challenging the favorites, making this one of the most exciting times of the year.

With that in mind, let's take a look at two of the biggest markets to follow today.

Hall of Fame Game Anytime Touchdown Market Takes Center Stage

The Hall of Fame Game is the NFL's first preseason game of the year. Played as a standalone event before the rest of the preseason begins next week, tonight's matchup between the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals marks the league's first game since the Super Bowl.

In the grand scheme of the season, the result won't matter much. But for football fans, this is the unofficial kickoff to the new year and the first opportunity to watch NFL action after months of waiting.

That also makes the anytime touchdown market one of the most intriguing.

Arizona rookie quarterback Carson Beck, who led Miami to the College Football Playoff last season, is among the favorites to find the end zone with an 18% probability on Polymarket. Joining him is rookie running back Jeremiyah Love, one of the most explosive offensive players in this year's draft class, who also sits at 18%.

Because preseason rotations are unpredictable and starters often play limited snaps, markets like this become much more difficult to project than regular-season games. Coaches are evaluating young talent, backups are fighting for roster spots, and opportunities can come from anywhere on the depth chart.

For anyone following prediction markets news, that's what makes this market so fascinating. It's less about identifying one overwhelming favorite and more about finding the player most likely to capitalize on limited opportunities in football's long-awaited return.

Pete Crow-Armstrong Is Closing the Gap in the NL MVP Race

For much of the season, Shohei Ohtani looked well on his way to another National League MVP Award.

That may no longer be the case.

While Ohtani still leads Polymarket with a 53% probability, Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has climbed to 47%, turning what once appeared to be a runaway race into one of baseball's most compelling award battles.

Crow-Armstrong has been one of the hottest players in baseball over the past several weeks, helping fuel the Cubs' push toward the postseason while strengthening an already impressive MVP résumé. His combination of power, speed and elite defense has made him one of the league's most complete players, and the market has responded accordingly.

Ohtani remains the favorite for good reason, but the margin separating the two candidates continues to shrink. With every game carrying increased importance as the regular season winds down, Crow-Armstrong has an opportunity to keep building momentum if Chicago continues winning.

Prediction markets can change quickly, and few illustrate that better than the National League MVP race. Between football officially returning in Canton tonight and one of baseball's closest award races tightening by the day, these are two of the biggest stories in prediction markets news this week. It's still one of the most down months of the sports calendar, but that will quickly begin to shift over the course of the next three months as the NFL, NBA and NHL kick off their respective seasons.