If your position is still open after an event appears to have ended, there's almost always a straightforward explanation. The most important thing to understand is that your trade settles only after Polymarket officially marks the market as resolved -- it does not settle when the event ends, when the score is final, or even when results are reported.
Here are the three reasons a position stays open and what to do about each one.
Reason 1: The outcome has not been officially confirmed yet
Markets resolve based on confirmed data, not early reports or projections. For most event-based markets (such as sports, politics, and world events) official confirmation typically takes about 2 hours after the event ends. Some take longer depending on the source. Your trade settles only after Polymarket officially marks the market as resolved.
Reason 2: The outcome is being disputed
On event-based markets, if someone challenges the proposed outcome, resolution takes longer. The dispute goes through additional review rounds before a final decision is made. This typically takes 4 to 6 days from the time the dispute is filed. Your position stays open in Catalyst the entire time. Crypto and equity price markets cannot be disputed — they settle automatically and are not affected.
During a dispute:
You cannot open new positions in that market
Your Open P/L continues to reflect the position's current value
Your Realized Account Balance does not change until the position settles
The Max Loss rule is not triggered by unrealized movement during this time
If you are in the final days of your 30-day level timer and have a position held up in a dispute, contact support. These situations are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Reason 3: Brief processing delay
Once Polymarket officially marks the market as resolved, Catalyst typically settles your position within seconds to minutes. A short delay immediately after resolution is normal.
How to check the resolution status
To check the status, find the market on Polymarket and click the Resolution tab. It will show whether the outcome is proposed, under dispute, or final.
If Polymarket shows the market as resolved but your Catalyst position is still open after 30 minutes, contact support with the market name and a screenshot.