Manchester United has taken a groundbreaking step in engaging its fans by launching player trading cards and the Fantasy United game for the 2024/25 season on the Tezos Blockchain. This innovative approach allows fans to collect cards featuring first-team players, build squads, and compete in a Web3 fantasy football game.
The ‘Fantasy United’ game offers cards of all first-team players from the men’s squad, available in Classic, Rare, and Ultra-Rare editions. Each card is uniquely hand-drawn and updates with real-time stats throughout the season. Fans can purchase these cards in packs of seven for £3 each, giving them the opportunity to collect all members of Erik ten Hag’s senior squad, including new summer signings Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro.
Not only can fans collect these cards, but they can also bring them to life by creating a five-man squad within the Fantasy United game. This marks the first-ever Web3 fantasy football game developed for a Premier League club using Tezos. Fans can compete with friends through mini-leagues, with points accrued based on the real-life performances of Manchester United players, including goals, assists, tackles, and saves.
The Fantasy United game kicks off on the same day as Manchester United’s Premier League opener against Fulham on 16 August. Throughout the season, fans will receive tips on the most selected players and strategies from United legends and fantasy football experts. Moreover, fans have the opportunity to compete directly against former Manchester United players in the Legends leagues.
Devil-holders, owners of the club’s original digital collection, have early access to Player Trading Cards, which were made available on Monday. Starting from 31 July, all fans will be able to collect the cards. The partnership between Manchester United and the Tezos Ecosystem has already proven successful with the launch of ‘The Devils’ collection in 2022, which sold out rapidly. The activations have built a community of nearly 100,000 members inside the club’s Discord channel, where fans can interact, receive notifications of new drops, and participate in live town halls and Q&As with the club.
Ronan Joyce, director of digital innovation at Manchester United, highlighted the significance of Player Trading Cards in enhancing fan engagement. He emphasized that these cards allow fans to collect the whole men’s first team squad, witness the evolution of collectibles throughout the season, and participate in an exciting fantasy football game. Joyce described this initiative as a club-first that adds drama and excitement to watching Manchester United in action.
The announcement clarifies that Manchester United’s officially licensed Digital Collectibles are intended as cryptoassets for use as collectible items rather than investments. This ensures that fans can enjoy the unique and interactive experience without any financial risk.
Manchester United’s launch of the Fantasy United game on the Tezos Blockchain represents a significant shift in fan engagement within the sports industry. By combining technology, interactive gameplay, and community building, the club is setting a new standard for how fans can connect with their favorite team. This innovative approach not only enhances the fan experience but also showcases the potential for blockchain technology to revolutionize the sports entertainment sector.
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