Better Collective Posts Strong €86m Q1 2026 Revenue as it Expands Global Partnerships

Better Collective began 2026 on solid ground, reporting growth across its media and betting operations while strengthening global partnerships.

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The company announced first‑quarter revenue of €86m, supported by gains in Paid Media, talent‑led media, and North American revenue share. EBITDA before special items rose to €25m, reflecting a margin of 29%.

Management confirmed that full‑year guidance remains unchanged, despite currency headwinds and regulatory challenges in Brazil. Co‑CEO Jesper Søgaard described the quarter as “a quarter of stable growth execution and continued strategic progress,” highlighting Playbook™ and Playmaker HQ as central to the group’s long‑term strategy.

Paid Media and North American market drive revenue

Underlying growth was driven by Paid Media and North American revenue share, which climbed 46% year‑on‑year. Sponsorship revenue also rose 21%, supported by Playmaker HQ and HLTV.

Better Collective stressed that its transition in North America toward revenue share agreements is building a stronger recurring income base, even if headline numbers remain temporarily affected.  

A major highlight of the quarter was the expansion of Playbook, its AI‑powered betting solution, into a global partnership with X. Already successful in the U.S., Playbook will now serve as the exclusive betting product worldwide. 

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Søgaard explained that Playbook™ is designed to “streamline the path from intent to action, reduce friction in the user journey, improve discovery, and make it easier for users to compare outcomes. 

BC looking to World Cup for major boost

Playmaker HQ, acquired in 2023, continues to grow as a talent‑driven sports media brand. Its roster of North American sports personalities has helped build a strong podcast and video presence, attracting both sportsbooks and major consumer brands. 

The group executed €6.7m in share buybacks during the quarter, part of its €40m annual program, while keeping net debt to EBITDA at 2.45x. 

Looking ahead, management expects the FIFA World Cup 2026 to provide a major boost to user acquisition and engagement across core markets. Guidance for the year remains unchanged, with organic revenue growth projected at 7–12% and EBITDA growth at 8–18%.

“In summary, Q1 was a quarter of stable growth execution and continued strategic progress. We delivered as we expected, with some underlying elements performing better than headline numbers suggest. We continue to navigate short term external headwinds in selected markets, while investing in and advancing the initiatives that we believe will drive meaningful long term value creation,” Søgaard concluded.

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