FIFA is deploying a custom Layer 1 blockchain built on Avalanche (AVAX) to tackle ticket scalping ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The initiative, developed with blockchain infrastructure firm Modex, separates the right to purchase a ticket from the ticket itself through two distinct digital assets: a Right to Buy (RTB) and a Right to Ticket (RTT).
Fans acquire an RTB via FIFA Collect, the organization’s digital collectibles marketplace. If they choose not to attend, they can trade it on a secondary market at market-driven prices. Once redeemed, the RTB converts into an RTT, which then allows the holder to buy an official match ticket through FIFA’s existing ticketing system. All transactions are recorded immutably on the Avalanche blockchain, creating a transparent and auditable chain of ownership that makes bulk purchasing by bots extremely difficult.
While FIFA has not yet confirmed a full rollout for the 2026 tournament, the system is being tested with limited ticket allocations. FIFA Collect itself migrated entirely to Avalanche in May 2025, along with tokens that grant priority access to ticket purchases. The organization has no official cryptocurrency sponsor, but the Argentine national team—reigning world champion—has secured multiple regional crypto partnerships. LBank, a global exchange with over 15 million users, became a regional sponsor in South Korea in September 2025, while BTCC, one of the oldest exchanges founded in 2011, offers rewards such as autographed Lionel Messi jerseys and USDT prizes based on trading activity.
Fan tokens are also poised for growth. Chiliz (CHZ), the token powering the fan engagement platform, saw a 380% rally in the five months before the 2022 World Cup and surpassed a $1.07 billion market cap ahead of Euro 2024. With national teams including Argentina, Belgium, and Portugal participating in fan token systems, analysts expect another major performance for the sector as the North American tournament approaches.
