FORGET football stickers or your team’s football shirts – there are new ways to get involved with the beautiful game.
A large fanbase is building around digital collectibles in football.
Think of the football stickers or rare baseball cards that you may have collected in the past.
Platforms such as Crypto.com NFT are bringing this concept into the 21st century by giving fans both an asset and access to exclusive events.
Nicholas Christ, global head of sponsorships at Crypto.com , says: “The idea that the value of a digital collectable is like a piece of art has really been replaced by the concept of utility – what does this asset give you access to?”
Here is what you need to know about digital football collectibles.
What are digital collectibles?
A digital collectible is a non-fungible token (NFT).
It’s basically a Web3 version of a rare baseball card, limited-edition comic book or football sticker.
There are several ways for football fans to engage with digital collectibles, depending on their team and the level of interaction they want to have.
Usually, a club or sporting entity partners with a platform such as Crypto.com NFT to offer digital collectibles.
But Crypto.com NFT has gone further by pairing physical sporting memorabilia with a digital collectible.
This past season, the platform launched a digital collectible programme, turning the silver Crypto.com NFT-branded Champions League Match Coins used for the referee’s coin toss into a fan-focused activation.
Fans could claim a limited supply of digital silver, gold and premium blue coins at different stages of the tournament, giving them an NFT and the chance to access benefits such as matchday prizes.
Christ explains: “We used these hexagonal coins as digital and physical prizes, giving fans the chance to claim an NFT of the official match coin, with the top prize of presenting the physical match coins to the referee on the pitch before their chosen Champions League match, along with two match tickets.”
This culminated in a world-first partnership with Fanatics Collectibles to turn the physical coin from the Champions League Final into a limited edition “Relic” Trading Card, which was handed to one lucky winner.
How can football fans get involved with digital collectibles?
The Champions League Final coin is also authenticated on the Cronos Blockchain as a digital collectible, unlocking perks for this upcoming season.
This includes tickets for the UEFA Super Cup Final, a League Phase Pass to every single one of your chosen club’s eight games.
You can even get the opportunity to deliver the Match Coin at your chosen club’s first game of the season.
You can buy, sell and trade these collectibles seamlessly on Crypto.com .
Christ adds: “The popularity increases depending on the scarcity and the utility, and on top of that we’ve attached unique rewards or prizes specific to that digital collectible.
“What we’ve seen when it comes to the sporting collectibles in particular is that it’s a way to increase fan engagement in a match or a sporting event; [it’s] a way for them to feel connected to it and own a part of that experience.”
What can fans do with a digital collectible?
The perks of each digital collectible will be different.
Some have physical prizes or perks attached to them, like exclusive merchandise or VIP experiences, and because it’s on the blockchain, you can hold, sell or trade.
For example, in the 2025/26 NBA season, Crypto.com NFT worked with the Philadelphia 76ers and renowned artist Victor Solomon on the “Heart and Hustle” Collection, commemorating 25 years since the iconic 2000-2001 Eastern Conference Championship season.
With four exclusive drops, fans were able to collect contemporary pieces of art containing historic 76ers memorabilia as both digital and physical collectibles.
One of the drops included custom sneakers designed with authentic game-used basketballs from Hardwood Classic Edition matchups – a special nod to that 25th anniversary.
What are the plans for next season?
Christ adds that we’re nowhere near the final whistle on digital football collectibles.
He says: “We see huge promise in linking physical items with corresponding digital collectibles, and, in certain instances, giving them utility with linked fan rewards – like the Match Coin experience.
“It’s the idea of a tangible connection to a team or an event; being part of a moment or an experience.
“For us it’s about giving global supporters a unique way to own a piece of the match and build a sense of community around an event and a moment in history.”
Approved by FORIS DAX UK LIMITED, which is registered with the FCA under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 to provide cryptoasset services (FRN 941745). Digital collectibles (NFTs) are not regulated financial products in the United Kingdom. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
