Manchester United has combined fantasy football with NFT collectibles in its latest ‘first of its kind’ initiative to drive engagement among fans.
Supporters can use collectible NFTs of Manchester United players to create a five-man squad and earn points in Fantasy United, the club’s new Web3 fantasy football game.
The collectible cards feature all the first-team players from the men’s squad, and come in Classic, Rare and Ultra-Rare editions. Each card is a unique hand-drawn design and will be updated with live stats throughout the season.
There are two methods for collecting these cards. Fans can buy packs of seven Player Trading Cards for £3, with a random selection in each pack. Additionally, since the start of the 2023/24 season, fans have been able to claim a free hand-drawn digital collectible at all men’s and women’s home games, resulting in over 750,000 claims.
Once you’ve collected a five-man squad and joined a fantasy league, the cards will earn you in-game points throughout all competitions. Points are awarded based on the real-life performance of Manchester United players, including their goals, assists, tackles and saves, starting from the Premier League opener against Fulham on August 16.
Ronan Joyce, Director of Digital Innovation at Manchester United, said: “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 a exciting fantasy football game.
“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.”
This initiative is the first of its kind in the Premier League, launched in collaboration with club partner Tezos. Since joining forces in 2022, the pair have worked on several blockchain initiatives such as ‘The Devils’, the club’s original digital collection.
Sunil Singhvi, Head of Culture at Trilitech, Tezos R&D Hub, added: “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.
“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.”
