Polymarket is stepping away from screens and charts and doing something very different. The crypto-based prediction platform is opening a free grocery store in New York City and backing it with a $1 million donation to fight hunger.
The company announced on Feb. 3 that it will launch what it says will be New York City’s first free grocery store later this month. The pop-up store, called “The Polymarket,” is set to open on Feb. 12 at noon. Anyone in New York will be able to walk in and take groceries at no cost. No purchase, no sign-up, no catch. Polymarket hasn’t shared the exact location yet.
Along with the store, Polymarket has donated $1 million to Food Bank For New York City. The nonprofit works across all five boroughs to help people who struggle to afford food. Polymarket said the donation is part of giving back to the city it calls home.
The company described the project as a real, physical investment in the community. The goal isn’t to run a normal store or sell anything. Instead, the shelves will be fully stocked and focused on helping people who need support during a time when food prices remain high.
Food Bank For New York City said the donation will help expand access to food and support long-term food security efforts. Polymarket also encouraged the public to donate to the organization if they can.
People familiar with the project say the free grocery store won’t be permanent. It’s expected to run for a short period, likely just several days around the opening weekend.
At the same time, the move is clearly catching attention as competition heats up among prediction market platforms in the U.S. A rival company, Kalshi, recently ran a smaller free grocery giveaway in New York, leading many to compare the two efforts.
The idea also echoes comments made in the past by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who talked about the possibility of city-run grocery stores. Interestingly, Polymarket already hosts active prediction markets asking whether such stores will open in New York by mid-2026, giving the whole project an extra layer of symbolism.
The grocery store launch comes during a busy period for the company. In late January, Polymarket announced a multi-year partnership with Major League Soccer, becoming the league’s official prediction market partner. On Feb. 2, the platform also integrated with Jupiter, allowing users to access Polymarket directly through the Solana ecosystem.
Meanwhile, the company is also dealing with regulatory pressure. A Nevada court recently issued a temporary order stopping Polymarket’s U.S. affiliate from offering certain contracts to Nevada residents. A court hearing on the issue is scheduled for Feb. 11.
For now, Polymarket’s latest move blends community support with a bold brand moment—turning a crypto platform into a real-world grocery store, at least for a few days.
