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DraftKings vs FanDuel

DraftKings and FanDuel both run salary-cap daily fantasy, plus single-game contests, snake drafts and best ball. The formats overlap so much that where you live usually decides it. As of November 2026, DraftKings takes paid entries in Connecticut but not Oregon, and FanDuel is the reverse.

By the DFS Directory team. Checked Nov 2, 2026.

Which one fits you

DraftKings

  • Pick DraftKings if you play from Connecticut. FanDuel's terms bar deposits and paid entries there.
  • Pick DraftKings if you want F1 or esports contests. DraftKings lists both; FanDuel's fantasy page and app listing don't.
  • Pick DraftKings if you want to start at micro stakes. Its terms allow paid entry fees as low as $0.01.

FanDuel

  • Pick FanDuel if you play from Oregon. DraftKings doesn't offer paid contests there.
  • Pick FanDuel if you're new and want set beginner thresholds. Beginner contests are open for your first 50 contests, and Intermediate contests until your 500th or your fourth $1,000+ win.

Where you can play

DraftKings' terms exclude Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Louisiana parishes that voted against fantasy sports. FanDuel's terms bar paid entries in Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada and Washington, plus 17 named Louisiana parishes. Between the two, Connecticut is DraftKings-only and Oregon is FanDuel-only as of November 2026. Both list California and Texas, and neither takes paid entries in Ontario or Alberta.

Age rules

Both start at 18. DraftKings requires 21 in Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts and Virginia, and 19 in Alabama and Nebraska. FanDuel's terms set 21 in Arizona, Louisiana, Massachusetts and Virginia and 19 in Alabama, while its App Store listing also puts Iowa at 21. The two disagree on Iowa, so check the app before you deposit.

Sports

DraftKings lists 13 fantasy sports, including F1, tennis, esports, NASCAR and UFC. FanDuel's fantasy page names NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, college football and basketball, soccer, golf, NASCAR and WNBA, and its app listing adds UFC. FanDuel blocks college football contests in 18 states, including Massachusetts, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Contest types and limits

DraftKings lineups use a $50,000 salary cap, and it also runs showdowns, snake drafts, Best Ball and Flash Draft. FanDuel offers full-roster and single-game contests, snake drafts and best ball. FanDuel generally caps you at 150 entries in contests with 5,000 or more entries; DraftKings shows the limit in each contest's details tab.

California and Texas

In July 2025 California's attorney general said both draft-style and pick'em contests are illegal sports wagering, though the opinion isn't binding on its own. On July 29, 2026, a federal judge let consumer-protection claims against DraftKings proceed, which could lead to an injunction against its paid contests in California. FanDuel's terms say it makes no representation that paid fantasy is lawful under Texas law. Both still list California and Texas as of November 2026.

Side by side

DraftKings and FanDuel compared
DraftKings
FanDuel
Contest typesSalary cap, Best ballSalary cap, Best ball
States4444
SportsNFL, CFB, NBA, CBB, MLB, NHL, Golf, NASCAR, F1, MMA, Soccer, Tennis, EsportsNFL, CFB, NBA, CBB, WNBA, MLB, NHL, Golf, NASCAR, MMA, Soccer
Minimum age18+18+
Min deposit$5—
PayoutsACH / online banking, PayPal, Venmo, Debit card, Apple Pay, Cash App Pay, Check, Bank wireACH / bank transfer, Debit card, Apple Pay, PayPal, Venmo, Check, FanDuel Play+, Interac (Canada only)
New-user offerNew customers get 2 tickets to play free in NFL and NBA contests with a first deposit of $5 or more—
CanadaYesYes
Founded20122009
OwnerDraftKings Inc. (NASDAQ: DKNG)Flutter Entertainment plc (NYSE: FLUT)
Visit DraftKings(opens in a new tab)Visit FanDuel(opens in a new tab)

The table is built from each listing's published details. See the DraftKings and FanDuel profiles for their sources and check dates.

Sources and corrections

Last checked Nov 2, 2026. We wrote this page from the sources below, and each listing links its own. If something about DraftKings or FanDuel has changed, let us know.