The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has announced its partnership with Avalanche to create a dedicated layer-1 blockchain network specifically designed for non-fungible tokens and digital fan engagement initiatives. This strategic move, announced on May 22, represents a significant evolution in FIFA’s blockchain strategy, targeting its massive global fanbase of five billion supporters worldwide. The decision follows FIFA’s initial announcement nearly a month prior regarding plans to launch a new network for blockchain-based collectibles, with AvaCloud’s Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility enabling seamless integration with decentralized wallets and applications.
Francesco Abbate, CEO of Modex and FIFA Collect, emphasized that the partnership will deliver “unique digital collectibles and immersive fan experiences, powered by the speed, scalability, and EVM compatibility” of the Avalanche network. The selection process involved rigorous analysis of critical factors including performance, security, transaction fees, customizability, and scalability—areas where Avalanche demonstrated superior capabilities for FIFA’s ambitious digital transformation goals. This infrastructure will support FIFA’s comprehensive digital strategy while providing the technical foundation necessary to serve millions of concurrent users during major sporting events and ongoing fan engagement activities.
As part of the migration process, FIFA will transition its existing NFT marketplace and FIFA Collect collection to the new Avalanche-powered FIFA Blockchain, marking a departure from previous Algorand-based infrastructure. This change means external Algorand wallets such as Pera and Defly will no longer be supported, with users instead connecting through MetaMask or other EVM-compatible wallets supporting WalletConnect protocols. FIFA initially launched its NFT collection ahead of the 2023 Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia through collaboration with blockchain firm Modex, and has since expanded its digital offerings including FIFA Rivals, a free-to-play soccer game developed with Mythical Games for iOS and Android platforms.
The partnership represents FIFA’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge blockchain technology to enhance fan engagement and create new revenue streams through digital collectibles and interactive experiences. While FIFA has indicated that “future plans and business cases are planned but not yet publicly disclosed,” the migration to Avalanche’s scalable infrastructure suggests ambitious expansion plans for blockchain-based fan services, potentially including enhanced gaming experiences, exclusive digital content, and innovative monetization models that could reshape how sports organizations interact with their global audiences in the digital age.
