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- Donald Trump leads the TIME Person of the Year 2026 odds at 3/1
- Zohran Mamdani and James Talarico share 4/1 alongside Pope Leo XIV
- Elon Musk and AI share the 6/1 and 7/1 prices respectively, with Bad Bunny at 10/1
The World's Most Debated Annual Award And a Market More Open Than It First Appears
TIME Magazine's Person of the Year is the annual award that provokes more argument, more surprise and more genuine reflection on the state of the world than almost any other.
The 2026 odds are priced up by betting sites across the market, and for those looking to get involved in one of the year's most fascinating cultural and political betting markets, the best entertainment betting sites have the full range of specials available.
Donald Trump leads the market at 3/1, but this is a considerably more open field than that frontrunner price might suggest.
TIME's Person of the Year is not a popularity contest, and it is not a reward for political power alone, it is an editorial judgement about who has most influenced the world's news agenda in a given year, for better or worse.
In 2026, Trump shares that agenda with a genuinely remarkable cast of challengers.
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Zohran Mamdani at 4/1 is the name that most excites observers of American political culture in 2026.
Born in Kampala to Indo-Ugandan academic Mahmood Mamdani and Indian filmmaker Mira Nair, the 34-year-old Democratic Socialist was sworn in as New York City's 112th mayor on January 1, 2026, becoming the city's first Muslim and first Asian American mayor in a victory that sent shockwaves through the American political establishment.
His election in a moment when progressive politics appeared to be in retreat nationally was extraordinary, as a candidate who ran explicitly on rent freezes, free buses and democratic socialist principles and won the most populous city in the United States decisively.
TIME has historically been drawn to figures who embody a moment of political possibility or cultural rupture, and Mamdani's first months in office have generated the kind of global coverage that Person of the Year selections tend to reward.
James Talarico at 4/1 shares Mamdani's price and represents an equally compelling but very different story.
The Texas state representative rode viral video fame to the Democratic Senate nomination in Texas, becoming, in the words of observers, "the Mamdani west of the Pecos."
Time Person Of The Year Odds and Betting
TIME Person of the Year 2026 Odds
| Candidate | Known For | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donald Trump | US President | 3/1 | 25.0% |
| Pope Leo XIV | First American Pope | 4/1 | 20.0% |
| Zohran Mamdani | Mayor of New York City | 4/1 | 20.0% |
| Elon Musk | Entrepreneur/Political figure | 6/1 | 14.3% |
| James Talarico | Texas Senate candidate | 6/1 | 14.3% |
| AI | Technology/Culture | 7/1 | 12.5% |
| Bad Bunny | Musician/Cultural icon | 10/1 | 9.1% |
Trump, Pope Leo and the Rest of a Remarkable Field
Trump at 3/1 arrives in this market looking to win it for the third time in his life.
His Iran war, his conflicts with Pope Leo XIV, his domestic policy agenda and his ongoing reshaping of American political norms all keep him at the centre of the global conversation. At 3/1, the market rates that centrality as genuine.
Pope Leo XIV at 4/1, the first American pope in history, elected in May 2025, has spent his inaugural year in remarkable tension with the sitting US President.
His calls for peace during the Iran war, his Easter Urbi et Orbi blessing and his public disagreements with Trump over immigration and foreign policy have given his papacy an unusually political character for its first year.
A TIME Person of the Year award would recognise both the historic nature of his election and his extraordinary first year in office.
Where To Bet on TIME Person of the Year 2026
With TIME's Person of the Year typically announced in December, there are months of political, cultural and technological development still to come that could fundamentally reshape this market.
A wide range of bookmakers offer current affairs and cultural specials markets, with new customers often finding free bets available to get started.
Always compare prices before placing, and head to our guide to the best entertainment betting sites for a full comparison.
For the full history of previous winners and betting trends, visit our dedicated TIME Person of the Year betting page.
