FIFA to Build EVM Blockchain in Partnership with Avalanche

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FIFA Embraces Web3 with Custom EVM Blockchain on Avalanche

FIFA, the global governing body of football, is making a bold leap into the future of digital engagement by building its own Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible blockchain in collaboration with Avalanche, a high-performance Layer 1 network. This strategic partnership marks a pivotal moment in sports and blockchain integration, positioning FIFA at the forefront of Web3 innovation.

The newly developed FIFA Blockchain will serve as the foundation for all future digital products, starting with the migration of FIFA Collect—its official digital collectibles platform—from Algorand and Polygon to the new Avalanche-powered infrastructure.

This shift isn’t just technical—it’s transformative. By leveraging Avalanche’s speed, scalability, and developer-friendly environment, FIFA aims to deliver seamless experiences for its massive global fanbase, estimated at over five billion people.

👉 Discover how major sports organizations are leveraging blockchain for fan engagement.

Why Avalanche? Performance Meets Practicality

Avalanche has emerged as a top contender in the blockchain space due to recent upgrades that enhance performance and reduce development costs. The network’s Avalanche9000 upgrade has significantly lowered barriers for developers, enabling faster deployment of decentralized applications (dApps) with minimal overhead.

This infrastructure improvement likely influenced FIFA’s decision to choose Avalanche over other platforms. With EVM compatibility, the new FIFA Blockchain ensures broad accessibility—users can interact using popular wallets like MetaMask, Trust Wallet, and others without friction.

Francesco Abbate, CEO of FIFA Collect and Modex (FIFA’s Web3 partner), emphasized that the new architecture is designed for longevity and expansion. “We’re building a foundation not just for today’s collectibles, but for tomorrow’s digital experiences,” he stated. The focus is on creating a sustainable ecosystem where fans can securely own, trade, and engage with official football memorabilia in digital form.

Transitioning FIFA Collect: A Strategic Shift

FIFA Collect, originally hosted on Algorand and Polygon, will now fully transition to the custom-built FIFA Blockchain on Avalanche. As part of this move:

This consolidation streamlines operations and strengthens control over the user experience. More importantly, it allows FIFA to tailor the blockchain specifically for sports-related use cases—such as limited-edition player cards, match highlights, and interactive fan rewards.

The timing aligns with broader industry trends. In April 2025, FIFA first signaled its intent to move toward an EVM-compatible system, citing the need for better performance and long-term scalability. The May 22 announcement confirmed Avalanche as the backbone of this vision.

Boosting Developer Innovation and Fan Access

One of the key advantages of building on Avalanche is the robust developer ecosystem. With tools like Subnets and easy-to-use SDKs, third-party creators can build complementary applications—ranging from fantasy leagues to gamified prediction markets—on top of the FIFA Blockchain.

For fans, this means richer experiences beyond simple ownership. Imagine verifying the authenticity of a digital jersey through blockchain or earning tokens by participating in global fan challenges tied to real-world matches—all powered by secure, transparent smart contracts.

Moreover, transaction speeds on Avalanche are significantly faster than traditional blockchains, with finality achieved in under one second. Combined with low fees, this makes microtransactions and frequent interactions feasible at scale—critical for engaging billions of users worldwide.

👉 Explore how blockchain enables next-gen fan experiences in sports.

Market Reaction and Industry Impact

The announcement sparked immediate interest in the crypto market. At the time of the news release, Avalanche’s native token AVAX surged by 10.49%, reaching $24.92—a clear signal of investor confidence in the partnership’s potential.

This momentum reflects more than just short-term speculation. Avalanche recently achieved a five-month high in NFT sales volume, outperforming major networks including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Polygon. Its growing reputation as a hub for real-world blockchain adoption has attracted institutional attention.

Just one day before FIFA’s announcement, investment firm VanEck launched a fund dedicated to Avalanche-based projects. Additionally, VanEck filed to register an Avalanche ETF in Delaware, underscoring growing institutional validation.

For FIFA, aligning with a technologically advanced and increasingly mainstream blockchain enhances credibility and opens doors for future collaborations—potentially including ticketing systems, identity verification, and even decentralized governance models for fan communities.

Future Digital Products Beyond Collectibles

While FIFA Collect is the first application on the new blockchain, it won’t be the last. Officials have confirmed that additional digital products are under exploration, though no official timeline has been released.

Potential future applications include:

These possibilities highlight how the FIFA Blockchain could become a central pillar in redefining fan engagement in the digital age.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the FIFA Blockchain?
A: It’s a custom EVM-compatible blockchain built in partnership with Avalanche to host FIFA’s digital products, starting with FIFA Collect.

Q: Why did FIFA choose Avalanche?
A: Due to its high performance, low transaction costs, EVM compatibility, strong developer tools, and proven scalability—ideal for serving a global audience.

Q: Will existing FIFA Collect items be affected?
A: No. All current digital collectibles will be migrated to the new blockchain to ensure continuity of ownership.

Q: Is this move related to cryptocurrency or fan tokens?
A: Not directly. The focus is currently on digital collectibles and fan engagement tools rather than launching a new cryptocurrency.

Q: Can developers build on the FIFA Blockchain?
A: Yes. Built on Avalanche’s Subnet architecture, it supports third-party dApps that enhance fan interaction and utility.

Q: When will the transition be complete?
A: While no exact date has been announced, migration is expected within 2025, with phased rollouts to ensure smooth user experience.

👉 Learn how blockchain is transforming sports and entertainment ecosystems.

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This article naturally incorporates essential SEO keywords such as FIFA Blockchain, Avalanche partnership, EVM-compatible blockchain, FIFA Collect, Web3 in sports, digital collectibles, NFT migration, and fan engagement blockchain—ensuring relevance for users searching for insights on sports tech innovation.

By combining technical depth with accessible language, this initiative exemplifies how legacy institutions can successfully integrate blockchain while delivering tangible value to their audiences.

As football continues to evolve beyond the pitch, the fusion of sport and technology through initiatives like the FIFA-Avalanche collaboration sets a benchmark for others to follow—ushering in a new era where fans don’t just watch the game—they’re part of it.