Meta is working on a new mobile app, codenamed ‘Arena’, which is designed to allow users to predict the outcomes of events in the worlds of politics, sport and the economy. According to*The New York Times*, the project is being developed by a small team set up by Mark Zuckerberg. Initially, the app is set to be based on a points system reminiscent of gaming mechanics, rather than real-money betting. However, the company does not rule out the possibility that this model could change in the future.
Arena is set to operate independently of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger. At the same time, Meta intends to leverage the scale of its services to promote the new product. In the first quarter of 2026, the company’s apps were used by an average of 3.56 billion users per day.
The idea is in line with the growing popularity of so-called prediction markets. Platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi allow users to take positions on future events, ranging from central bank decisions to election results and sporting fixtures. The sector attracted particular attention during the 2024 US presidential election, and today it is drawing in both investors and traditional financial firms.
Meta’s entry into this space may be an attempt to capitalise on this new trend at a time when the growth of its main social media platforms is gradually maturing. According to reports, Arena is one of several experimental projects currently being developed by the company. These also include the Meta Photos app, which focuses on creating new media formats using artificial intelligence.
Prediction markets, however, remain a controversial area. Rising trading volumes are attracting the attention of regulators, who are highlighting the risk of insider trading and potential abuse. This means that Meta’s potential entry into this segment could spark not only user interest but also further regulatory debate.
For the time being, Meta has not commented on reports of the project. It is also unclear when Arena might be made available to the public.
