The rule, in Kalshi's words
Kalshi's NFL game-winner contract terms (series KXNFLGAME, document FOOTBALLGAMEWIN) cover a level score in one clause with two branches:
- A "Tie" strike is listed: the Tie strike resolves Yes and every team-specific strike resolves No.
- No Tie strike is listed: the contract resolves so that Yes holders are paid $0.50 and No holders are paid $0.50.
The document's own worked example is a 20-20 game after overtime with no Tie strike: the team contract resolves to $0.50.
Which case applies to NFL games right now
On October 14, 2026, Kalshi's NFL game-winner events listed two contracts per game, one per team, and no Tie strike. The tie trades as its own market instead, the "Game to Tie" series (KXNFLTIE), which was priced near 1¢ for Seattle vs Denver.
So for a team contract today, a tie means 50¢ a contract on either side. Rules can change by market, so check the "Market Rules" panel on the contract before you trade it; that panel and the linked rules document are the source of truth.
What 50¢ means for your position
A tie returns the same 50¢ to both sides, so the result depends on what you paid:
| You held | You paid | Tie pays | Result per contract |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes on the favorite | 70¢ | 50¢ | −20¢ |
| Yes on the underdog | 30¢ | 50¢ | +20¢ |
| No on the favorite | 30¢ | 50¢ | +20¢ |
Fees you paid to enter are not returned.
Overtime, suspensions and other edge cases
- Overtime counts. Kalshi's rules include every overtime period unless the market says otherwise, so a game is only a tie if it is still level after overtime.
- A suspended or cancelled game is not a tie. If a game is cancelled, or suspended before 55 minutes of play and not resumed within 48 hours, markets resolve to the last fair price as determined by Kalshi, except those already decided.
- Player props are a separate rule. A tie does not change a receptions or yards contract; those settle on the player's statistics. When a player doesn't play, see what Kalshi does with a player who doesn't play.
Why it matters before kickoff
Ties are rare in the NFL, which is why the Tie market trades near 1¢. But the 50¢ outcome is worth knowing when you buy a heavy favorite at 85¢ or more: a tie returns less than you paid. Running the price through the EV calculator shows what the contract is worth at your own probability.
For how Kalshi's same-game combos settle, see how Kalshi combos work. For an order that wouldn't fill, see why your Kalshi order didn't match.
Rules quoted from Kalshi's published contract terms and market pages, read October 14, 2026. Kalshi can change market rules; the rules panel on each contract governs.