Manchester United launch Web 3.0 fantasy football game

Avatar
Image credit: mooinblack / Shutterstock.com

Manchester United has introduced its unique take on fantasy football with the combined launch of Fantasy United and Player Trading Cards, in collaboration with their partner and blockchain network, Tezos.

The new fantasy football game works by users purchasing packs that cost £3 (AUD $6) with seven Playing Trading Cards. This allows Fantasy United players to own the Manchester United squad as digital collectibles, where they can build a five-man squad to earn points.

The Player Trading Cards will collect points across all competitions and will be based on the real-life performances of the selected players such as goals, assists, tackles and saves.

Some of the rewards for winning United’s newest fantasy football game include:

  • A once-in-a-lifetime VIP experience
  • Physical 24/25 Player Trading Cards
  • Merchandise signed by Manchester United players

Director of Digital Innovation at Manchester United, Ronan Joyce, said about the launch of the club’s new fantasy football game:

“Player Trading Cards allows United fans to collect the whole men’s first team squad, to see those collectibles evolve throughout the season as games are played and goals are scored and have the ability to play those cards in an exciting fantasy football game,” Joyce said in a media release on the club’s website.

“It’s a club-first, it means you can compete against your mates all year long, and it adds even more drama and excitement to watching the Reds at Old Trafford and on the road this season.”

Head of Culture at Trilitech, Tezos R&D Hub, Sunil Singhvi added about the new Web3 fantasy football game:

“Player Trading Cards and Fantasy United is an innovative use of blockchain technology to enable United fans to have a deeper connection with their favourite club. Through dynamically updating collectibles, supporters will be able to cheer on their heroes and watch how the season develops,” Singhvi said in a media release on the club’s website.

“Meanwhile, they will be able to showcase their managerial prowess by selecting their squad in Fantasy United. Developed by our in-house team, it’s a fun and interactive way for fans to get closer to the game and the players of Manchester United.”

The Tezos Ecosystem and Manchester United have launched previously launched campaigns such as ‘The Devils’, the club’s original digital collection released in 2022 featuring a magnitude of unique characters inspired by the club’s history.

With Web 3.0 technology making some waves around Australia despite its controversies, a new fantasy football game involving this type of technology could potentially prove to be an interesting way to entice Australian Football fans as it’s never been done before.

However, it remains to be seen whether United fans are genuinely interested in spending money to build a competitive virtual squad. But by the season’s end, it will show whether other teams and sporting organisations, like the A-Leagues, will venture into something like Fantasy United and utilise Web 3.0 technology.

Brisbane Roar teams up with Monochrome as Platinum Partner

Avatar
Image credit: Brisbane Roar website

Brisbane Roar confirmed Monochrome Corporation will become their Platinum Partner and A-League Men’s match day kit sleeve sponsor for the upcoming 2024/25 season.

Monochrome is a diversified financial services group specialising in crypto-assets and infrastructure projects within the bitcoin and digital asset sector across the Asia-Pacific region.

Earlier this year, Monochrome’s asset management division launched the Monochrome Bitcoin ETF (Ticker: IBTC), Australia’s first ETF to directly hold bitcoin.

A cryptocurrency company partnering with a club in the A-League is an extremely rare case and could signify a change in the future with this Brisbane Roar deal.

Central Coast Mariners partnered with Australian crypto platform Zipmex back in April of 2022 with the partnership becoming a joint deal with NRL club Penrith Panthers, however, this collaboration didn’t last very long at all, dissolving in 2023.

The other major codes in Australia have accepted multi-million dollar deals in crypto and the A-League could follow suit in the coming years if it becomes more acceptable.

Brisbane Roar Chairman & CEO, Kaz Patafta expressed his excitement and discussed the way this will benefit the club.

“We are delighted to welcome Monochrome to the club for the upcoming season. Monochrome is a leader in their field and a pioneer in the ETF investment space for crypto and bitcoin exposure. We are greatly appreciative for their support of our A-League Men’s program, and we look forward to seeing this partnership grow,” Patafta explained in a press release.

Monochrome CEO, Jeff Yew also commented on the collaboration and how the two parties are tied to the same values.

“Monochrome has been a long-standing supporter of Australian athletes and sporting events. Furthering our commitment to excellence alongside Brisbane Roar which aligns well with Monochrome’s brand values,” Yew said in a press release.

Brisbane Roar secure an important deal financially for the club and are busy once again in the offseason as they remain one of the strongest business clubs in the league.

This crypto deal is pioneering and could also give a glimpse into the potential for more deals like this if it becomes successful, with clubs becoming increasingly desperate for stable, financially-heavy partnerships.

Football Queensland will keep registration fees unchanged for 2025

Avatar
Image credit: Matimix

Football Queensland (FQ) has decided to buck national trends in increased registration fees by keeping the same low fees from past seasons for 2025.

FQ’s prices for the 2025 season will be $50 for MiniRoos, $66 for Juniors and $130 for Seniors making them the lowest registration fees in Australia.

President of Football Queensland, Paula Robinson, champions the federation’s economic management throughout the years to deliver affordable sport to a growing audience.

“The Football Queensland Board of Directors is extremely proud to keep its registration fees unchanged for yet another year. Having the lowest registration fees of any Member Federation means football in Queensland is one of the most financially accessible sports in the country. No wonder we have more Queenslanders than ever wanting to take to the football fields,” she said via FQ press release.

“As we continue to experience record year-on-year growth in participation across the state, the decision to not increase governing body fees for a fifth year reflects Football Queensland’s commitment to ensuring football remains accessible to all Queenslanders, no matter their age, background or location.”

Football Queensland CEO, Robert Cavallucci, explained how the governing body continue to manage difficult reforms.

“Football Queensland continues to undertake very difficult and significant reforms to its operational design, execution and statewide governance structures to transform how we deliver football and ensure the game can handle its evolving needs well into the future,” he said via press release.

“Coupled with prudent financial management, these reforms continue placing significant downward pressure on football’s volatile and high inflationary cost environment to deliver stable registration benefits to participants across the state. 

“After another exciting 2024 season, we look forward to welcoming participants back next year and seeing even more Queenslanders join our game in 2025.”

The registration fees for FQ have been the lowest in the nation for 5 years with the federation not allowing price increases since 2020, including in 2022 where on average football prices saw a 30% increase nationwide.

With the recent cost of living crisis in Australia, the cost of sports has been a massive influence on players either starting or returning to play football in Australia.

FQ’s massive increase in participants has made football the most-played team sport in Queensland, having the largest increase in players of all state federations last season. The continued low prices have been voiced as a key contributor to this success.

As a federation with a large contribution to Australian football in player numbers and successful professionals, its ability to keep prices low is a massive accomplishment.

Other state federations should look to FQ for inspiration in replicating their economic management if Australia wants to maintain participant numbers and ease the financial pressure to play football.

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks

Send this to a friend