FanDuel will open a retail sportsbook at Audi Field, home of Major League Soccer’s D.C. United, as part of a multiyear partnership with the team announced Tuesday. FanDuel will become the United’s exclusive sports betting sponsor.

The United and FanDuel hope to open the sportsbook in 2021, pending licensing and regulatory approvals from the DC Lottery, according to a news release. The deal marks the first sports betting partnership for FanDuel with an MLS team.

“D.C. United is looking forward to the opportunity of working with a first-rate operator in this new and exciting space,” Sam Porter, chief strategy officer of D.C. United, said in the news release. “The FanDuel Sportsbook is best-in-class and we believe their expertise, technology, and product will provide our fans, guests at Audi Field, and the Buzzard Point neighborhood a full-slate of entertainment options.”

The new sportsbook will feature various betting windows and self-service kiosks, the release said. Audi Field opened in July 2018.

The United previously had a partnership deal in place with Caesars Entertainment and hoped to open a sportsbook in the spring, but the coronavirus pandemic delayed those plans, according to The Washington Post.

In March 2019, MGM Resorts signed a four-year deal with Major League Soccer to become the league’s official partner for MLS betting.

Another Option for DC Sports Bettors

William Hill opened the first sportsbook at a professional sports venue in the U.S. in early August at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. — home to the NBA’s Wizards and NHL’s Capitals.

The D.C. sports-betting law allows for pro teams in the district to have sportsbooks. The Washington Nationals have not announced a sportsbook deal. Audi Field is near Nationals Park in Southwest D.C.

Online/mobile sports betting in D.C. is run by the D.C. Lottery through its GambetDC app, which has been plagued by issues and has not produced much revenue for the district. William Hill is seeing more bets placed at its retail site than the lottery sees on the GambetDC app.

FanDuel’s Growing US Presence

FanDuel currently has 12 retail sportsbooks in nine states, highlighted by its flagship sportsbook at The Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and provides online sports wagering in seven states.

“As we continue to expand our nationwide footprint, joining forces with one of the MLS’ most iconic clubs allows us to bring America’s No. 1 Sportsbook to the nation’s capital,” Matt King, CEO of FanDuel, said in the news release. “We’re partnering with D.C. United to elevate the fan experience at Audi Field and bring the DMV area an in-person sports gaming experience other parts of the U.S. have come to know and love from FanDuel."

In June, the Denver Broncos announced a partnership agreement with FanDuel, becoming the first NFL team to reach a sports betting deal since the league allowed sportsbook sponsorships in May.