French prediction app booms during World Cup: users check scores at night
As France, Spain, England or Argentina battle for the World Cup trophy, one unexpected winner has emerged from the tournament: a French prediction app. Since the competition began, “Mon Petit Prono” — or MPP — has taken audiences by storm, with over three million users joining its interactive leagues.
The app, created by three colleagues, allows users to create prediction leagues for friends, family or colleagues. Participants forecast match outcomes before games begin, predicting the tournament winner and top scorer. Real-time rankings keep the excitement alive throughout the competition.
How Mon Petit Prono works
MPP operates through customizable leagues. A user can create a league and share a link with participants, who then predict match results and the overall tournament winner. The app’s live leaderboard tracks performance, fueling friendly competition among users.
According to user insights, the app’s primary users in 2026 include business school students, corporate employees, families and friend groups. Its intuitive design makes it accessible even to those who aren’t regular sports bettors.
Why users love the app
Marie, a user in three different leagues, calls it a tradition: “I’ve used prediction apps since I was old enough to play. Before MPP, I used another one that no longer exists.”
She highlights the social aspect of workplace leagues: “It creates a fun atmosphere, giving people something to talk about beyond work. Sometimes, I feel bad for those who aren’t participating — we discuss it at least once or twice a day.”
Matia, a frequent user, emphasizes that the app levels the playing field: “You don’t need to know football inside out to win. Obviously, watching more matches helps, but the app is designed so anyone can participate.”
Camille praises its simplicity: “The interface is so intuitive that even occasional users can figure it out quickly. You don’t need to be an expert — it’s straightforward.”
App usage frequency and obsession
Users check the app multiple times a day, often before and after matches. Some even wake up at night to check scores. Marie admits: “At the start of the World Cup, when matches were played late at night, I’d get butterflies in my stomach before bed. During the heatwave, I’d wake up at 4 a.m. because it was too hot and think, ‘I can’t fall back asleep without checking MPP.’ If my score was wrong, it could keep me awake.”
Potential downsides
While the app fosters fun competition, it can also cause stress or conflicts. Some users express concerns about workplace leagues turning into heated debates over football knowledge. Others prefer to avoid monetary stakes: “Once money is involved, it ruins the experience,” Marie says. “In my friend group, the loser buys a pack of beers or hosts a barbecue instead.”
From humble beginnings to a global hit
“Mon Petit Prono” originated in 2011 as “Mon Petit Gazon” when three colleagues — Martin Jaglin, Benjamin Fouquet and Grégory Rota — decided to build their own prediction platform after their usual site shut down. Despite limited funds and no marketing plan, they took a gamble and bought the site.
Initially reliant on scores from a sports media outlet, they were forced to stop using those when the outlet demanded it in 2013. After expanding to the UK and Spain under different names, they secured a €1 million fundraising round in 2018 with investors like Sébastien Bazin, Martin Solveig and Jean-Étienne Amaury.
The founders then left their jobs to rebrand the app fully. In 2022, “Mon Petit Gazon” was acquired by LFP MEDIA for an estimated €20-30 million. Since the World Cup began on June 11, MPP has seen a 340% surge in downloads within eight days, topping app store charts globally.
