CME Group to Launch World’s First NHL Futures Based on FutureSports Performance Indexes

Quick Summary

CME Group is launching the world's first NHL futures contracts on September 28, 2026. These index-based derivatives allow stakeholders to hedge sports performance risk using real-time NHL statistics, providing a regulated financial instrument for broadcasters, sponsors, and arena operators to manage exposure to team success.

How Do NHL Futures Help Manage Sports Business Risk?

CME Group NHL futures provide a sophisticated mechanism for the sports ecosystem to mitigate financial volatility. By using regulated derivatives markets, businesses like food vendors and retailers can protect against revenue drops tied to team performance. The contracts are benchmarked to the CME FutureSports Performance Indexes (FSPI), which convert play-by-play statistics into tradable financial metrics.

• Standard-sized contracts: Valued at 10x the underlying index value.
• Micro-sized contracts: Offered at 1/10th the value for capital efficiency.
• 24/7 Trading: Available on CME Globex for immediate position management.

"With our first major-league futures contracts on our NHL indexes, CME Group is bringing the principles and discipline of regulated markets to the businesses that need to manage price risk in professional sports," said Tim McCourt, Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Equities, FX and Alternative Products at CME Group.

What Metrics Drive the New Hockey Performance Indexes?

The CME FSPI Indexes utilize a transparent, rules-based framework to track official NHL statistics. These benchmarks follow IOSCO principles for financial reporting, ensuring institutional-grade integrity. The system assigns value by adding points for positive actions and subtracting for setbacks, creating a continuous performance narrative for every team in the league.

• $1.53 Billion: Record NHL sponsorship revenue generated in the 2024-25 season.
• 23 Million Fans: Total league attendance reached during the previous season.
• 108-Year History: The league's longevity provides deep historical data for modeling.

Steve Byrd, Head of Partnerships at FutureSports, said: “In just a matter of weeks, market participants and members of the hockey and sports ecosystem will have the first opportunity to trade a professional financial instrument based on indexes of continuous play-by-play performance statistics of each and every NHL team.”

FF NEWS TAKE:

This move by CME Group represents a massive leap in the financialization of sports. By treating team performance as a tradable asset class, CME is bridging the gap between fan engagement and institutional hedging. While "sports betting" is consumer-facing, these NHL futures contracts offer a legitimate regulatory framework for the multi-billion dollar sports infrastructure to manage real-world economic exposure. It absolutely moves the needle for alternative investments.