These Top European Football Clubs Joined the NFT Metaverse Game in 2022
The intersection of football and the NFT metaverse exploded in 2022, with several leading European clubs making significant moves into this exciting new space. Fans and investors alike are keen to understand which clubs are pioneering this digital frontier and how they are engaging with NFTs and metaverse platforms.
Portugal’s 2025 Primeira Liga Champions, FC Porto, announced a deal with Upland making them the first European soccer club to enter the metaverse. Upland is an open platform that allows users to buy, sell, and trade virtual properties mapped to real-world addresses, and FC Porto’s integration provided fans with new ways to interact with their favorite team in a virtual environment.
While FC Porto's move was groundbreaking, they weren't alone. Other European giants recognized the potential of NFTs and the metaverse to enhance fan engagement and unlock new revenue streams. The NFT landscape in football is diverse, with clubs exploring various avenues like digital collectibles, fantasy sports integrations, and virtual stadium experiences.
MetaSoccer is not the only one to have invested in the metaverse and to propose NFT with a football-based offer. The French start-up Sorare offers an online fantasy football game, enabling users to collect, trade, and manage digital player cards represented as NFTs. Sorare gained significant traction in 2022, partnering with numerous top European clubs and leagues to bring officially licensed player cards to its platform. This provides a unique way for fans to own a piece of their favorite players and participate in fantasy football leagues with real-world stakes.
AC Milan is not the only club in the NFT/metaverse space. There are already many others in the space. Liverpool: LFC Heroes Club is an NFT collection of NFTs that allows LFC fans to own unique digital artworks of their favorite players. The LFC Heroes Club offered various benefits, including access to exclusive content, community events, and potential real-world rewards. This demonstrates how clubs are using NFTs not only as collectibles but also as tools for building stronger relationships with their fans.
The trend of European football clubs embracing NFTs and the metaverse is expected to continue, with more innovative projects and collaborations on the horizon. As these technologies evolve, they promise to revolutionize the way fans interact with their clubs and the game they love.
Stay tuned for further updates as more clubs join the NFT metaverse, and explore the exciting possibilities that this digital frontier offers to football fans around the world.