Manchester United has launched “Fantasy United,” the Premier League’s first Web3 fantasy football game built on the Tezos blockchain. This innovative project allows fans to collect “Player Trading Cards” featuring first-team players from the men’s squad and use them to create fantasy squads. Fans can compete in mini-leagues and earn points based on the real-life performances of Manchester United players. The initiative aims to deepen fan engagement and modernize football fandom, following a series of successful digital ventures by the club, including the launch of the original digital collection “The Devils” in 2022.
The Player Trading Cards come in Classic, Rare, and Ultra-Rare editions and are hand-drawn with real-time stats. Fans can use these cards to compete in the Fantasy United game, earning points based on the performances of Manchester United players in real-life matches. Early access to Player Trading Cards was given to Devil-holders, the owners of the club’s original digital collection, while all other fans can begin collecting starting on July 31. Fans will receive updates on the most selected players throughout the season and can compete directly against former United players in the Legends leagues, adding an extra layer of excitement to the game.
Manchester United’s collaboration with the Tezos Blockchain has significantly enhanced fan interaction and engagement, setting a new standard in modern football fandom. Through digital initiatives like the original digital collection “The Devils,” the club has cultivated a community of nearly 100,000 members in their Discord channel. The game is set to start with Manchester United’s Premier League opener against Fulham on August 16. The collaboration with Tezos Blockchain and the launch of Fantasy United mark a new era in fan engagement in football, as clubs like Manchester City also embrace blockchain technology to engage with fans through NFT trading cards and other digital initiatives.
The collaboration between Manchester United and the Tezos Blockchain began with the launch of the original digital collection “The Devils” in 2022, featuring 7,777 unique characters inspired by the club’s history. These digital collectibles were quickly snapped up by fans, demonstrating a high demand for such interactive fan experiences. Through the collaboration, fans can have a deeper connection with their favorite club, cheering on their heroes and watching how the season develops through dynamically updating collectibles. This initiative is part of a broader trend among football clubs to engage with fans through blockchain technology, with clubs like Manchester City also launching NFT collections and partnerships with companies such as Quidd.
Manchester City, for example, has partnered with Quidd to launch a series of Manchester City-themed NFT trading cards, offering fans unique digital memorabilia with special benefits such as merchandise, hospitality tickets, and exclusive experiences. This collaboration is part of Manchester City’s strategy to engage with the NFT and Web3 spaces, building on previous successful ventures in the digital collectibles market. Last season, fans were able to claim free hand-drawn digital collectibles at all men’s and women’s home games, resulting in over 750,000 claims. This partnership highlights the growing trend of football clubs embracing blockchain technology to enhance fan engagement and create new opportunities for fan interactions in the digital age.
