NewsIndustry3 min read
DraftKings and Delta Launch SkyPicks, Bringing Free-to-Play Sports Contests to the Skies
DraftKings and Delta Air Lines have launched an in flight free-to-play prediction game, giving passengers a new way to engage with live sports while traveling.
GamblingLore Editorial Desk29 July 2026
DraftKings has partnered with Delta Air Lines to launch SkyPicks, a new free-to-play sports prediction game that allows eligible passengers to compete in contests while flying on domestic Delta routes.
Available starting today, SkyPicks gives passengers aged 21 and over the ability to make predictions on upcoming sporting events directly through Delta's in-flight Wi-Fi portal, creating a new form of entertainment that combines travel and sports engagement without involving real-money wagering.
How SkyPicks Works
SkyPicks is available on Wi-Fi-equipped U.S. domestic Delta flights through Delta Sync's complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi service. After connecting to Wi-Fi and signing into their Delta SkyMiles account, eligible passengers can launch the experience directly from the Delta Sync homepage.
Players are asked a series of predictive questions for upcoming sporting events, including:
- Which team will win
- Who will score first
- Final score tiebreaker predictions
Participants compete against other passengers on a leaderboard, with the highest scorers earning Delta Gift Cards.
The platform launches with Major League Baseball contests, with National Football League contests scheduled to be added later this year as the season begins. DraftKings says new contests will be offered several times each week across multiple professional sports.
DraftKings Expands Sports Engagement Beyond Betting
Rather than focusing on regulated sports betting, SkyPicks is positioned as a free-to-play engagement product designed for moments when real-money wagering is not permitted.
Jeremy Elbaum, Chief Commercial Officer at DraftKings, said the partnership reflects the company's broader vision for fan engagement.
"We believe interaction with sports shouldn't begin and end with the game itself—it should extend to every moment fans care about."
The announcement marks another example of DraftKings investing in products that introduce users to its ecosystem outside of traditional sportsbook experiences.
Passengers must sign in with an existing DraftKings account or create one before entering a contest. Once picks are submitted, users can continue tracking the leaderboard and update eligible selections after landing through a link sent by email. However, new contests can only be entered while the passenger is in flight.
Delta Continues Expanding Delta Sync
For Delta, SkyPicks becomes another feature integrated into its growing Delta Sync platform, which has increasingly evolved beyond internet access into a personalized onboard digital experience.
Ranjan Goswami, Delta's Chief Marketing and Product Officer, said the addition aligns with the airline's goal of bringing passengers' interests onboard.
"SkyPicks brings that passion onboard in a fun, free-to-play way, giving SkyMiles Members another way to engage with the games and conversations they love while they fly."
The experience is available exclusively to Delta SkyMiles members aged 21 or older, with eligibility verified through the customer's SkyMiles account information.
No Real-Money Betting Allowed
DraftKings emphasized that SkyPicks has been designed as a free-to-play product and does not allow passengers to place real-money wagers while flying.
Federal regulations prohibit in-flight sports betting, meaning SkyPicks operates solely as a prediction contest with promotional prizes. Customers interested in DraftKings' sportsbook after reaching their destination must complete the operator's standard account registration and verification process before accessing any real-money betting products.
Industry Perspective
While airlines have increasingly partnered with streaming platforms, gaming companies, and entertainment providers to improve the onboard experience, the DraftKings and Delta partnership represents one of the first large-scale integrations of a sports prediction product into commercial air travel.
The launch also highlights DraftKings' continued strategy of building touchpoints outside its regulated sportsbook, using free-to-play experiences to engage sports fans in environments where traditional wagering isn't available.
