Manchester City has joined forces with Quidd, a leading digital collectible platform, to venture into the world of NFTs and digital collectibles. This partnership will introduce a collection of Manchester City-themed non-fungible token (NFT) trading cards, providing fans with a unique and innovative football memorabilia experience.
Quidd will serve as the exclusive platform for fans to acquire these one-of-a-kind digital assets, offering special benefits such as merchandise, hospitality tickets, and unforgettable experiences. The collaboration aims to make fans feel genuinely valued, as expressed by Quidd’s CEO, Michael Bramlage.
Tom Boyle, Vice-President of global partnerships marketing and operations at City Football Group, is excited about the potential of this collaboration to revolutionize the traditional pastime of collecting cards and memorabilia in the rapidly growing tech world.
The inaugural offering of this partnership will consist of over 200 customized player cards, which will be available on the state-of-the-art Quidd marketplace starting from May 2. To celebrate the launch, the first 10,000 Cityzens (Manchester City fans) will receive two free packs of cards and exclusive access to additional “For The Fans” packs within 72 hours.
Cityzens who unlock digital rewards through the Quidd packs will also have the opportunity to participate in real-world events and purchase official Manchester City merchandise and hospitality tickets. They may even win “money-can’t-buy experiences,” such as an exclusive chance to watch a first team training session at the City Football Academy.
This initiative offers fans a novel digital collecting experience and rewards their loyalty with exclusive perks and privileges. It marks Manchester City’s latest venture into the NFT space, following previous successful initiatives that garnered attention in the sports and crypto industries.
Manchester City has been actively exploring NFTs, including the recent launch of its “Unseen City Shirts” NFT collection on the OKX blockchain. The club also partnered with Sony in 2022 to create a virtual version of Etihad Stadium, becoming the first officially licensed football stadium in the metaverse.
The partnership with Quidd adds to Manchester City’s impressive list of global sponsors, which includes top-line partners like Etihad Airways and Puma. These partnerships have contributed significantly to the club’s record-breaking revenue during the 2022–23 Premier League season.
Notably, this collaboration is Quidd’s second partnership with a professional football team for the release of themed trading cards. Last month, Quidd secured a similar multi-year partnership with Newcastle United, marking the club’s first entry into digital collectibles.
Manchester City’s presence in the NFT space is already well-established, with previous initiatives such as partnering with Puma for an NFT drop commemorating their first Premier League triumph and launching the “Same City, Same Passion” NFT collection celebrating women’s football.
Furthermore, OKX is positioning itself at the forefront of mass adoption, as evidenced by its $70 million deal to become Manchester City’s official sleeve sponsor last year.
Overall, Manchester City is using these partnerships and innovations to remain at the forefront of the industry, creating new opportunities for fan interaction, revenue generation, and engagement.
