FIFA made a groundbreaking decision on May 22, 2025, to partner with Avalanche and launch its own blockchain, signaling the end of its collaboration with Algorand. This move is set to revolutionize digital collectibles and fan engagement for the massive global football audience of over five billion fans.
The new FIFA Blockchain, built on Avalanche’s custom Layer-1 technology, promises lightning-fast transactions, minimal fees, and easy wallet integration. The first step in this transition will be the migration of FIFA Collect to the new platform.
Ava Labs, the parent company of Avalanche, highlighted key reasons for FIFA’s selection of their network, including its impressive transaction capacity of over 6,500 per second and its enterprise-grade performance.
John Nahas, Chief Business Officer at Ava Labs, expressed confidence in Avalanche’s ability to support large-scale applications like FIFA’s with speed, flexibility, and security. Francesco Abbate, CEO of Modex and FIFA Collect, emphasized that the decision to partner with Avalanche came after a thorough evaluation of scalability, security, fees, and infrastructure customization.
FIFA’s shift to Avalanche marks a significant step in its blockchain journey, following its initial venture into NFTs on Algorand before the 2022 Qatar World Cup. The organization had previously announced plans to move its digital assets to an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible blockchain to enhance scalability, reduce transaction costs, and improve user experience.
As FIFA’s NFT marketplace, FIFA Collect, transitions to the new Avalanche-powered network, users will need to switch from Algorand-based wallets like Pera and Defly to EVM-compatible wallets such as MetaMask via WalletConnect.
While FIFA has not disclosed all the future applications of its blockchain, it has assured fans of unique digital collectibles and immersive experiences on the platform. The news of the partnership had an immediate impact on the market, with Avalanche’s native token, AVAX, experiencing increased trading volume.
FIFA’s decision to embrace blockchain technology aligns with a broader trend of sports organizations diving into Web3 to enhance fan engagement and explore new revenue streams. The move follows successful initiatives like the NBA’s Top Shot and signals FIFA’s commitment to innovation in the digital space.
Avalanche, known for attracting major institutional partners, continues to make waves in the industry. Its collaboration with Alipay in launching a Web3-powered voucher program in March 2024 is a testament to its growing influence.
As FIFA continues to expand its Web3 presence with initiatives like FIFA Rivals and the new FIFA Blockchain, the sports world eagerly anticipates the innovative possibilities that lie ahead.