Digital platforms – Inside World Football

Infantino says FIFA coin under review at Trumps’ Mar-a-Lago crypto promo

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 04:26:13 +0000

February 23 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has again floated the idea of world football launching its own cryptocurrency, telling an audience in Florida that the organisation is studying the creation of a ‘FIFA token’ or ‘FIFA coin’.

Infantino was speaking at the World Liberty Forum hosted at Mar-a-Lago, the private residence of friend and US President Donald Trump, when he outlined the concept.

“We are also studying the development of a FIFA token and a FIFA coin –

Burnley Women to launch social media fly-on-the-wall docu-series with X

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 07:57:51 +0000

February 20 – Burnley FC have extended their commercial partnership with X to launch a new behind-the-scenes documentary series focused on Burnley FC Women.

The eight-part series, titled Limitless, will be distributed on X on a weekly basis through the rest of the 2025/26 season, alongside around 30 shorter-form clips designed for regular in-feed engagement.

Production is handled by VSP Studios and Ad Hoc Films, the same companies behind Keeping The Faith,

Serie A takes 51% stake in Fantacalcio fantasy platform

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:44:33 +0000

February 18 – Italian football is taking its engagement fantasy football to the next level with the announcement that the 20 clubs of Serie A have approved the league’s acquisition of a 51% controlling stake in fantasy football platform Fantacalcio.

The €18 million deal values Fantacalcio at more than €40 million, with the investment funded via a loan that will be repaid using the platform’s own future revenues. Founders Nino Ragosta and Luigi Cutolo will continue to run the business,

Court orders NordVPN and Proton VPN to block pirate streamers in Spain

Paul Nicholson — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 01:30:36 +0000

February 18 – The on-going war on streaming pirates has again hit the courts, this time in Spain, with another victory for rights owners and their broadcast buyers.

LaLiga and its broadcast partner, Telefónica, have secured a court order forcing VPN providers NordVPN and Proton VPN to block access to 16 websites accused of illegally streaming LaLiga matches.

The ruling requires VPN services to immediately make the IP addresses of those sites inaccessible from within Spain.

Amazon lead way as broadcast streaming giants line up $14.2bn sports rights spend

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:30:21 +0000

February 2 – Amazon is set to become the world’s biggest streaming investor in sports rights in 2026 with new analysis from Ampere finding that streaming services will spend a combined $14.2 billion on sports rights this year, up 7% on 2025.

Amazon Prime Video alone will account for 27% of that total, investing an estimated $3.8 billion and overtaking DAZN for the first time since the latter emerged as a disruptor in the sports media market in 2018.

DAZN expands betting business into prediction market trading with Polymarket partnership

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 10:20:12 +0000

January 21 – DAZN, the sports streaming service, is partnering with Polymarket, a crypto prediction market, to let users trade predictions.

Polymarket’s real time data will air during DAZN’s live broadcasts, giving fans quick updates on changing odds, momentum, possible results, and key moments. The data will be used in conjunction with the streaming platform’s existing sports betting app under DAZN Bet.

DAZN viewers will be able to interact with Polymarket’s prediction markets within the app without ever leaving the platform.

Borussia Dortmund embraces AI’s new world with Lenovo deal

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 04:10:11 +0000

January 19 – Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund have announced a premium partnership with Lenovo that places the global technology group as the club’s Official AI Innovation Partner.

The agreement is built around the practical use of artificial intelligence and how the technology can support decision-making, performance, and long-term development across the club.

In both elite sport and technology, the margins are thin, and the ability to process information quickly and act decisively can be the difference between success and failure.

Sky Deutschland expands partnership with WSC Sports to enhance broadcasts

Andy Elliott — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 11:02:39 +0000

January 13 – Sky Deutschland has deepened its use of automated content production after renewing and expanding its partnership with WSC Sports, extending the deal by a further two years and widening its scope into Austria.

The agreement keeps in place the AI-driven workflow that underpins much of Sky Sport’s digital output in Germany, while formally bringing Sky Austria into the same operational framework. For Sky, the focus is less on experimentation and more on scale: producing more short-form content and distributing it across an increasingly fragmented set of platforms.

French gaming regulator warns online bookies to control their World Cup promo spend

Paul Nicholson — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 01:00:18 +0000

January 13 – French gambling regulators have warned online gambling companies to keep their promotion budgets in check during the World Cup in June and July when there is expected to be an increase in betting.

The warning covers advertising and incentives offered to bettors.

SBC News reports the warning follows the assessment of 2026 Promotional Strategies by l’Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), which said that rising promotional investment required stricter oversight in order to “prevent any risk of excessive advertising exposure and the development of excessive gambling practices.”

Betting and gaming operators have already increased their promotional budgets for 2026 which will see increased betting with both the Winter Olympic Games and the World Cup taking place –

Fenerbahce play in PUBG Mobile’s world

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 03:57:37 +0000

January 7 – In a move to bridge the worlds of traditional sports and digital entertainment, Tencent Games and Turkey’s Fenerbahçe have announced a collaboration aimed at delivering a unique gaming experience to fans and mobile gamers across Europe.

The partnership will integrate the Turkish club into the ecosystem of PUBG Mobile, one of the leading mobile game titles.

Fenerbahçe supporters will gain access to exclusive digital content designed to enhance their gaming experience while showing their club pride.

The post Fenerbahce play in PUBG Mobile’s world appeared first on Inside World Football.

FIFA goes deeper with Roblox and rebrands kids game to FIFA Super Soccer

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 08:31:56 +0000

December 22 – FIFA has extended its partnership with gaming platform Roblox as it continues to push deeper into digital and immersive experiences aimed at younger audiences, launching the new officially licensed ‘FIFA Super Soccer’.

The game, developed in collaboration with metaverse media company Gamefam, is now live on Roblox, becoming FIFA’s flagship football experience on the platform.

It replaces Gamefam’s existing Super League Soccer, which has been rebranded under the FIFA name following a series of limited-time events linked to FIFA competitions.

CSKA Sofia is first Bulgarian club to launch mobile app

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:10:54 +0000

December 17 – Bulgaria’s CSKA Sofia has become the first Bulgarian club to launch its own mobile application. Named MyCSKA, it will be free for every supporter using Android or iOS. The mobile application was created in partnership with the Ultrafan platform.

“CSKA has taken another key step towards uniting the entire ‘Army’ community and establishing a direct connection with every fan. ‘Always side by side!’ is no longer just a refrain—it’s a reality!

Nottingham Forest get their digits in a row

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 02:43:38 +0000

December 10 – Nottingham Forest have rolled out a redesigned website and a new mobile app, keeping pace in the digital arms race happening across football. Clubs aren’t just competing on the pitch anymore. They’re trying to outdo each other with the smoothest fan experience and the kind of tech ecosystem you’d expect from a major entertainment company.

Forest’s upgrade brings a cleaner look, faster navigation and a setup that pulls everything into one place.

The post Nottingham Forest get their digits in a row appeared first on Inside World Football.

Real Madrid get creative with Adobe AI partnership

Andy Elliott — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 11:53:21 +0000

November 25 – Real Madrid have pushed the button on a deeper partnership with Adobe, rolling out a suite of AI tools designed to tailor the club’s digital output for what they claim is a 660-million-strong global fan base.

The deal adds Adobe’s newest generative AI systems to Madrid’s existing digital framework, giving the club the ability to churn out customised content at a scale nobody in European football has attempted publicly.

Perez pushes ‘Infinite Bernabéu’ VR platform for Real Madrid’s1bn fans on this planet

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:29:29 +0000

November 21 – Spain’s Real Madrid is pushing the boundaries of what a modern matchday experience can look and feel like, and Real President Florentino Pérez’s ‘Infinite Bernabéu’ project might be the boldest example yet.

The club has partnered with technology giant Apple to create a virtual reality experience that will place fans inside the stadium from anywhere in the world. As Pérez put it, the collaboration “will be like opening the stadium doors to the entire planet.”

More than 30 specialised cameras captured every angle of Madrid’s recent UEFA Champions League win over Juventus.

Napoli launch Sono Napolitano membership programme

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 00:38:46 +0000

November 2 – Serie A club Napoli, coming a little late to the fan engagement party, has launched its first-ever Official Membership programme.

In partnership with sports technology company KDA3, Napoli is introducing a digital fan community. The membership, of course, comes in two tiers. Free and paid.

The free option is open to all, while the premium plan is priced at €75 per year. Both platforms provide access to exclusive content and the opportunity to take part in prize draws.

Football Australia team with Fanatics to roll out green and gold merchandise

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 04:46:02 +0000

October 31 – Football Australia has teamed up with Fanatics, a global leader in licensed sports merchandise.

Fanatics will take charge of Football Australia’s official online store, delivering a range of CommBank Matildas and Socceroos gear to supporters locally and abroad. Fan identity is one of the fastest-growing platforms in the football world, as sports and fashion seamlessly blend to create a unifying experience in and out of stadiums.

“Football has millions of passionate fans in Australia who love showing their support for the CommBank Socceroos and CommBank Matildas,” said Football Australia Interim CEO Heather Garriock.

PSG makes its fandom interactive, gamified and global to capture and keep younger fans

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 03:22:05 +0000

October 29 – While many clubs in Europe face the danger of their supporters ‘ageing out’ in the new digital landscapes, the champions of Europe, Paris Saint-Germain, have shown some creativity with their new version of the MyParis loyalty program, in an effort to rebuild the entire supporter experience for a new generation.

Season ticket holders who grew up watching Pauletta and Ronaldinho are now bringing their own kids to matches.

Football Manager extends licensing deal with SPFL’s four divisions

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 08:34:24 +0000

October 27 – The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has extended its official licensing partnership with Sports Interactive, the video game studio behind the globally renowned Football Manager series, for a further four years.

Under the new agreement, which now runs through to the end of the 2028/29 season, all 42 SPFL clubs will remain fully licensed in Football Manager, complete with official logos, kits, and player likenesses when FM26 launches on November 4.

ChatGPT is best agent Demetri Mitchell says he has ever had

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 03:00:23 +0000

October 13 – AI (artificial intelligence) is rewriting the rules of every industry, but to date, it hasn’t been used to replace the all-powerful, football agent, until today, as former Manchester United prospect player Demetri Mitchell delved into the world of ChatGPT.

The 28-year-old, now playing for Leyton Orient, revealed that he negotiated his own move this summer using AI. Mitchell described the platform as his “best agent to date”, sending shudders through the wallets of your traditional bricks-and-mortar player agent.

EA Sports signs content deal with The Athletic

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 05:19:54 +0000

October 10 – EA Sports has signed a multi-year partnership with The Athletic that will integrate the sports media outlet’s editorial and video content across EA’s expanding digital platforms, including the EA Sports App and forthcoming EA Sports FC 26.

The collaboration, which spans football, the NFL, Formula One and college football, marks a significant step in EA’s evolution from a traditional gaming publisher to a broader digital sports ecosystem. The Athletic’s news,

The post EA Sports signs content deal with The Athletic appeared first on Inside World Football.

UEFA kicks off first Women’s Champions League fantasy football league

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 03:23:33 +0000

October 3 – The UEFA Women’s Champions League kicks off next week and with it the first-ever Women’s Champions League Fantasy Football game.

The fantasy game, presented by Amazon, enables fans to compete either as individuals in one of three public leagues, as well as in mini-leagues with friends.

The three public leagues are the overall leaderboard, a league with players all from the same country coutry and one with other players who support the same Women’s Champions League team.

PIF, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners purchase EA Sports in $55bn deal

Andy Elliott — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 11:11:57 +0000

October 2 – EA Sports, the studio behind the newly-released EA Sports FC26 video game, has been sold in a $55bn deal to a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake and Affinity Partners.

The agreement, which will take EA private after more than three decades on the stock exchange, reportedly marks the largest leveraged buyout in gaming history and the second biggest deal in the sector in the wake of Microsoft’s $69bn purchase of Activision Blizzard in January 2022.

LaLiga extends TikTok partnership and widens global footprint

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 09:55:42 +0000

September 22 – LaLiga has put pen to paper on the renewal of its strategic partnership with social media company TikTok, keeping the platform as its lead partner for innovation in digital content delivery.

The agreement cements the Chinese company’s position as the primary hub for official Spanish top flight output, giving TikTok exclusive access to content which it can build around its own fast-paced, short-form style.

The collaboration has been designed to deepen engagement with younger,

EA agrees license with UEFA Women’s football for FC 26

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 08:28:49 +0000

September 19 – It’s official: the UEFA Women‘s Champions League and Women’s Euros are staying on football’s most popular virtual stage. The news breaks in the wake of UEFA and Electronic Arts’ (EA) new multi-year licensing deal that will continue to see both competitions available to play in the latest edition of the hit football video game, EA SPORTS FC 26.

The new title will feature over 20,000 athletes across more than 750 clubs and national teams,

Turkish federation partners with digital tech specialist IdeaSoft to boost its online sales

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 05:18:06 +0000

September 16 – The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) and local e-commerce company, IdeaSoft, have signed a digital infrastructure agreement.

Under the 5-year deal, IdeaSoft will be responsible for TFF’s online digital stores, providing millions of fans with a faster, easier and more secure online shopping experience for licensed national team products. The aim is to increase sales of official products through new technology solutions and payment systems.

Abdullah Ayaz, TFF Secretary General,

Romanian FA unites domestic football community through HaiLaFotbal.ro platform

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 07:01:06 +0000

September 5 – The Romanian Football Federation (FRF) has launched its HaiLaFotbal.ro online platform that aims to unite children, parents, fans, coaches, and players.

“The project launched by the Romanian Football Federation aims to bring all relevant information about football in Romania into a single digital hub and create a modern, transparent, and useful space for the entire community“, said the FRF.

The platform holds information on more than 2,400 clubs and academies from all over Romania.

UEFA renews digital ticketing supplier Secutix until 2029

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:45:28 +0000

September 5 – UEFA has renewed its contract with ticketing technology provider Secutix for the period 2025-29 cycle.

UEFA was the first major football rightsholder to deliver 100% of its tickets digitally. Secutix has been a UEFA partner 10 years and has delivered more than 10 million tickets across 267 matches in 28 territories.

UEFA will use a portfolio of Secutix’s solutions, including the S-360 online SaaS ticketing sales platform and the S-Mobile Tixngo tool for digital ticketing distribution.

Saints renew with 8×8 as they battle for Premier League bounceback

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:23:14 +0000

September 5 – Relegation from the Premier League is a hammer blow to any club’s finances, and Southampton have felt that sting after falling through the trapdoor last season. With parachute payments dwindling and commercial revenues under pressure, the Saints have extended their partnership with cloud communications provider 8×8 into the 2025/26 season.

The partnership, first struck in 2022, has become embedded in the daily life of the club with 8×8’s technology helping Southampton maintain a direct line to its supporters.

Napster adds Fenerbahce to Benfica as it builds 3D, AI-powered virtual store business

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:32:39 +0000

August 27 – Napster, the former illegal streaming music service that went legit and then morphed into a digital innovation giant, has agreed with Turkish football giants Fenerbahce, who similarly seem to live in the edge, to launch a 3D, AI-powered virtual store.

The Fenerbahce deal follows the launch of Benfica’s ‘immersive’ store with Napster. Fenerbahce’s store will be available exclusively through Fenerium, the club’s official retail platform.

The partners say that 90% of Gen Z identify as gamers and 82% of sports fans use mobile devices for content while watching events,