FIFA launches Dedicated Blockchain for NFT Marketplace and Fan Engagement with Avalanche

FIFA launches Dedicated Blockchain for NFT Marketplace and Fan Engagement with Avalanche

The world of sports has continued to collide with cutting-edge technology, and the latest figure in the movement is FIFA, the global authority in football. On May 22, 2025, FIFA announced a groundbreaking partnership with Avalanche to launch its custom layer-1 (L1) blockchain, a move that promises to redefine how fans interact with the beautiful game.

This Avalanche-powered FIFA Blockchain will not only host the FIFA Collect NFT marketplace but also pave the way for immersive fan experiences, uniting over five billion football fans worldwide in a decentralized digital arena. From tokenized collectibles to potential metaverse integrations, this is more than a tech upgrade; it is a revolution for sports fandom, and Hive’s vibrant community is the perfect place to unpack its impact.

This is a significant evolution in FIFA’s blockchain journey, transitioning from its earlier reliance on Algorand and Polygon to a dedicated, scalable, and Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible network built on Avalanche’s robust infrastructure.

In 2022, ahead of the Qatar World Cup, the global football authority debuted its FIFA Collect platform, an NFT marketplace offering digital collectibles centered around iconic players and memorable moments from international soccer competitions. Initially hosted on the Algorand blockchain, FIFA Collect allowed fans to purchase and trade NFTs tied to historic World Cup highlights. The platform later expanded to include collectibles on the Polygon network and, in 2023, collaborated with blockchain firm Modex to launch additional NFTs ahead of the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.

However, FIFA’s latest move represents a seismic shift in its Web3 strategy. Rather than relying on third-party blockchains, FIFA is now building its own L1 blockchain using Avalanche’s subnet framework, recently rebranded as customizable L1s following the network’s Avalanche9000 upgrade. This upgrade, designed to attract enterprises and developers by reducing costs and simplifying the creation of tailored blockchain solutions, has positioned Avalanche as an ideal partner for FIFA’s ambitious plans. The new FIFA Blockchain will fully migrate FIFA Collect from Algorand and Polygon, consolidating its NFT offerings onto a single, high-performance network.

Why Avalanche?

Avalanche’s selection as FIFA’s blockchain partner underscores the network’s reputation for speed, flexibility, and security, qualities essential for supporting global-scale applications. The Avalanche9000 upgrade further enhances these capabilities, enabling organizations like FIFA to create custom blockchains tailored to their specific needs while maintaining interoperability with Ethereum-based tools and ecosystems.

Avalanche’s infrastructure offers several advantages for FIFA’s goals. Its scalability-focused design can handle the massive transaction volumes expected from a fanbase of over five billion, ensuring low latency and cost-effective operations. Additionally, Avalanche’s EVM compatibility allows FIFA to tap into a broader Web3 ecosystem, integrating with existing dApps, wallets, and marketplaces. This will support FIFA’s earlier announcement in April 2025, when it revealed plans to shift its NFT efforts to an EVM-compatible blockchain, signaling a strategic departure from Algorand’s architecture.

The decision to build a dedicated blockchain also reflects FIFA’s confidence in Avalanche’s ability to support NFTs and its future Web3 initiatives. While FIFA has only revealed its World Cup NFT collection and FIFA Collect marketplace as initial offerings, the organization hinted at several undisclosed business cases under development. These could include enhanced fan engagement tools, tokenized ticketing systems, or even blockchain-based loyalty programs, all designed to deepen FIFA’s connection with its global audience.

FIFA’s transition to Avalanche marks the end of its partnerships with Algorand and Polygon for NFT hosting. The migration of FIFA Collect to the new Avalanche-powered blockchain began on May 20, 2025, with FIFA promising clear instructions for NFT holders to ensure a smooth transition. This shift is described as a “strategic break” from Algorand, which had been FIFA’s primary blockchain partner since the launch of FIFA Collect. The move to an EVM-compatible network reflects FIFA’s desire for better performance, improved scalability, and access to a wider range of Web3 tools.

The launch of FIFA’s Avalanche-powered blockchain is a defining moment for sports and Web3, and as a sports blogger, I cannot help but see parallels with our decentralized ecosystem. Just as Hive empowers creators and communities to build and thrive, FIFA’s custom L1 blockchain is set to empower fans, offering them new ways to own, trade, and engage with football’s legacy. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, this is FIFA’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve, blending the passion of the pitch with the promise of blockchain.

Here on Hive, where innovation and community collide, we will be watching closely as FIFA’s blockchain journey unfolds, ready to cheer on the next generation of fan engagement. Join the conversation on Hive, let’s talk about how this game-changing technology will shape the future of football!

Posted Using INLEO