Entain will leave the FTSE 100 later this month after FTSE Russell confirmed that the gambling group will be moved into the FTSE 250 as part of its September 2026 quarterly index review.
The Ladbrokes and Coral owner will exit the UK’s benchmark blue-chip index alongside housebuilder Persimmon. EasyJet and oil and gas producer Ithaca Energy will take their places. The changes will be implemented after the close of trading on September 18 and become effective when markets open on September 21.
The move ends Entain’s six-year spell in the FTSE 100, which began in June 2020. Its demotion had already been signalled in FTSE Russell’s indicative review published on August 25 before being formally confirmed on September 2.
Entain’s removal reflects the index’s market-capitalisation-based review process rather than a discretionary decision. FTSE Russell periodically rebalances its UK indices to ensure they continue to represent the largest companies eligible for inclusion.
Share-price decline weighs on Entain
Entain’s market value has fallen substantially from the levels reached during the gambling-sector rally of 2020 and 2021.
The company’s shares peaked above £21 in October 2021, according to the SBC News report, before entering a prolonged decline that has left the group among the smallest constituents of the FTSE 100.
Pressure on the stock has coincided with higher operating costs, regulatory changes and increased gambling taxation in the UK, while investors have also closely followed the performance of BetMGM, Entain’s US joint venture with MGM Resorts.
BetMGM reported H1 2026 net revenue of $1.4bn, up 4% year on year, and adjusted EBITDA of $99m. Earlier in the year, the business lowered its full-year revenue forecast to $2.9bn-$3.1bn and said adjusted EBITDA was expected toward the lower end of its existing $300m-$350m range.
Entain points to stronger underlying trading
Despite the index demotion, Entain’s latest operating figures showed improving momentum across several parts of the business.
For the first half of 2026, group net gaming revenue from continuing operations reached £2.55bn, representing constant-currency growth of 5%. Online NGR increased 7%, while UK and Ireland online NGR rose 13%. Group underlying EBITDA reached £479.3m, although it was 2% lower year on year.
The company also reported a loss after tax of £11.4m from continuing operations, an improvement from an £85.8m loss a year earlier. Entain maintained its full-year forecast for online NGR growth of 5%-7% at constant currency and underlying EBITDA, excluding parent fees, of between £910m and £960m.
Entain is also progressing with a phased exit from its Central and Eastern European business. It has agreed an initial 20% divestment valued at €425m, implying a total enterprise value of approximately €2.1bn, with proceeds intended partly to reduce leverage.
Following the September reshuffle, Entain and Persimmon will join the FTSE 250, alongside Pinewood Technologies, Seraphim Space Investment Trust and Volex.