LaLiga, the Spanish soccer league, has joined forces with gaming startup GameOn to develop NFT-based fantasy soccer games tailored for its fanbase in the United States and Canada.
This collaboration will enable fans to purchase packs of LaLiga players as NFTs and construct fantasy lineups, with points awarded based on the real-life performance of each player on the field. Additionally, fans can acquire digital gear like cleats, jerseys, or hats to enhance their in-game player avatars, providing point multipliers.
GameOn is set to launch its LaLiga-branded web app in the United States and Canada in the first quarter of 2024. The platform will include social chat features and opportunities for fans to win prizes, including cash, VIP match tickets, signed merchandise, and access to player meet-and-greets. The games will cover both of LaLiga’s soccer leagues: LaLiga EA Sports and LaLiga Hypermotion.
GameOn CEO Matt Bailey expressed enthusiasm about entering the North American market, particularly with Web3 games. He emphasized that these games don’t require millions of users for success; a few thousand engaged users can make a product profitable.
The partnership between LaLiga and GameOn comes as part of LaLiga’s expansion efforts in North America, following its media rights deal with ESPN in 2021 and exhibition matches in the U.S. this summer featuring iconic teams like FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.
GameOn, initially a white-label trivia and prediction game provider, entered the Web3 space with NFT-based games for sports organizations like the Professional Fighters League and Karate Combat. The company is “chain agnostic” and intends to launch a token to connect its Web3 gaming ecosystem across its partner clients.
Investors in GameOn include Polygon Studios, Hedera, Dapper Labs, Techstars, Comcast, Lightning Capital, and Times Internet. LaLiga plans to promote its upcoming games with GameOn through stadium activations, fan watch parties, and digital content.
Bailey sees GameOn as a complementary rather than competitive player in the NFT-based sports gaming sector and anticipates continued growth in Web3 technology for fan experiences across various categories.