I break betting odds news as it happens, so you’re never left behind when the market moves or a top offer lands.
- Donald Trump is the 6/4 favourite to win 2026 TIME Person of the Year.
- Political figures dominate the top of the betting market.
- The award follows 2025’s AI-focused “Architects of AI” selection.
Trump Leads 2026 TIME Person of the Year Betting Market
UK betting sites have opened the market on the 2026 TIME Person of the Year award with US President Donald Trump installed as the 6/4 favourite to claim the honour for a third time.
The latest odds across major betting sites suggest political influence is once again expected to dominate the iconic annual cover, with Trump clear at the top of the market ahead of a strong field of US political figures.
Trump previously won the award in 2016 and again in 2024. If successful in 2026, he would join Franklin D. Roosevelt in winning it for a third time.
Importantly, TIME’s Person of the Year is not a popularity contest.
The accolade traditionally recognises the individual or group who most influenced the year, for better or worse, across politics, science, culture or geopolitics.
Entertainment Betting Sites: Best Bookmakers Compared on Reality TV, Entertainment and Novelty Bets
2026 TIME Person of the Year Odds
| 2026 TIME Person of the Year Winner | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Donald Trump | 6/4 | 40.0% |
| JD Vance | 5/2 | 28.6% |
| Gavin Newsom | 6/1 | 14.3% |
| Zohran Mamdani | 15/2 | 11.8% |
| Pope Leo XIV | 15/2 | 11.8% |
| Elon Musk | 9/1 | 10.0% |
Trump’s 6/4 price implies a 40% probability of securing the cover, positioning him as a strong early market leader.
JD Vance follows at 5/2, suggesting bookmakers anticipate significant political influence shaping the year ahead.
After “The Architects of AI,” A Political Year Ahead?
The 2025 award was given to “The Architects of AI,” spotlighting the leaders behind the artificial intelligence boom.
The feature highlighted:
- Sam Altman (OpenAI)
- Dario Amodei (Anthropic)
- Demis Hassabis (Google DeepMind)
- Jensen Huang (Nvidia)
- Fei-Fei Li (ImageNet pioneer)
- Elon Musk (xAI)
- Lisa Su (AMD)
- Mark Zuckerberg (Meta)
That collective recognition marked a significant cultural and technological shift, acknowledging the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on global society.
However, early betting suggests 2026 could pivot back toward political dominance.
Political Figures Dominate Early Market
Five of the six shortest-priced candidates are political or religious figures, reflecting the historical trend of TIME recognising those who dominate global headlines, often during periods of upheaval or change.
Trump’s position at the head of the market is less about popularity and more about anticipated influence.
The TIME cover frequently recognises figures who drive debate, policy shifts and global conversation.
JD Vance at 5/2 signals that bookmakers see potential for significant impact from the Vice President’s office, while Gavin Newsom at 6/1 reflects growing national prominence.
What the expert says...
Where To Bet on TIME Person of the Year
Punters interested in novelty and political markets can find this market available across leading betting sites.
For a full comparison of trusted UK betting sites and the latest free bets offers, take a look at our dedicated pages.
You can also explore our guide to the best entertainment betting sites.
