Crypto-based prediction market platform Polymarket said it will open what it calls New York City’s first free grocery store on Feb. 12, marking an unusual offline expansion for a company best known for online betting markets tied to real-world events.
The announcement came through a Substack post and a series of posts on X on Feb. 3. Polymarket said it signed a lease for the space and donated $1 million to Food Bank For New York City, a nonprofit that supports hunger relief across all five boroughs.
"After months of planning, we're excited to announce 'The Polymarket' is coming to New York City," the company wrote on X.
New York's first free grocery store. We signed the lease. And we donated $1 million to Food Bank For NYC — an organization that changes how our city responds to hunger.
After months of planning, we're excited to announce 'The Polymarket' is coming to New York City.
— Polymarket (@Polymarket) February 3, 2026
New York's first free grocery store.
We signed the lease. And we donated $1 million to Food Bank For NYC — an organization that changes how our city responds to hunger. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/BGMCWUMz8n
A grocery store with no checkout line
The pop-up store, titled “The Polymarket,” will open at noon ET on Feb. 12 and remain open through Sunday, Feb. 15, according to the company. Polymarket has not yet disclosed the address of the store.
The company said the shelves will be fully stocked and that visitors will not need to make a purchase or sign up for any service.
"The Polymarket is fully stocked. No purchase required. We're open to all New Yorkers. A real, physical investment in our community," the company said in its Substack post. "The Polymarket's grand opening is on February 12th @ noon ET. Free groceries. Free markets. Built for the people who power New York."
Polymarket framed the project as part of its broader mission to give back to the city where it was founded and scaled. The company encouraged visitors and readers to consider donating directly to Food Bank For New York City as well.
Food Bank For New York City confirms donation
A spokesperson for Food Bank For New York City confirmed that Polymarket donated $1 million to the organization. The nonprofit said the funds will support its efforts to expand food access and strengthen long-term food security across New York City.
Food Bank For New York City works with a network of community kitchens, food pantries, and schools, and serves hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers each year. Polymarket said the donation aligns with the nonprofit’s mission to “empower every New Yorker to achieve food security for good.”
A physical activation after months of preparation
Polymarket described the grocery store as the result of months of preparation. The company cited permit approvals, retail buildout, logistics coordination, and nonprofit partnerships as part of the process.
"The activation is the result of months of planning, from securing permits and building out a dedicated retail space to coordinating logistics and nonprofit partnerships, and represents a direct investment in the city where Polymarket was founded and scaled," the company said.
For a platform that typically operates through a web interface and blockchain infrastructure, the grocery store represents a rare physical presence. The move places Polymarket directly on the street level at a time when food affordability remains a visible issue in New York City.
Comparison with Kalshi’s grocery giveaway
Polymarket’s announcement followed a similar, smaller-scale promotion by rival prediction market Kalshi. Earlier this week, Kalshi offered shoppers up to $50 worth of free groceries at Westside Market in Manhattan’s East Village.
F it. Free groceries for everyone.
— Kalshi (@Kalshi) February 2, 2026
Tomorrow 12pm.
West Side Market | 84 3rd Ave. NYC pic.twitter.com/rsrunK5brt
While Kalshi partnered with an existing grocery store, Polymarket opted to open its own branded space. Polymarket said its store will operate for several days rather than a single afternoon.
Timing amid partnerships and scrutiny
The grocery store launch comes during a busy period for Polymarket. The company recently partnered with the Golden Globes and Dow Jones and announced a multi-year deal with Major League Soccer in late January. On Feb. 2, Polymarket integrated with decentralized exchange aggregator Jupiter, which allows users to access markets directly on Solana, as HodlFM reported.
At the same time, prediction markets face growing regulatory pressure in the United States. A Nevada state court issued a temporary restraining order last week that prevents Polymarket’s U.S. affiliate from offering certain contracts to Nevada residents. A hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11.
The free grocery store also echoes political conversations in New York City. Mayor Zohran Mamdani previously pledged to explore city-run grocery stores, and both Kalshi and Polymarket currently host markets tied to whether such stores will open by mid-2026.
For now, Polymarket says its focus remains on the upcoming opening.
"We'll see you at The Polymarket's grand opening next week. We love you, New York City," the company wrote.
Gunel Ismayilova
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