The Argentine Football Association has signed a multi-year deal with blockchain-based gaming platform Upland to create licensed digital collectibles of players and clubs in Argentina’s top-tier Primera División soccer league. Upland has more than three million registered accounts in its metaverse, which lets users buy and sell virtual items and property through its in-game cryptocurrency.
Fresh off Argentina’s World Cup victory, the AFA will launch digital Primera División memorabilia that spans real match footage, tickets, and player and club NFTs. California-based Upland raised an $18 million Series A in Nov. 2021 that included investments from Animoca Brands and OneTeam Partners. The company has signed previous digital collectibles deals with the NFLPA, FIFA, and FC Porto.
Upland is powered by the EOS blockchain and can be played on the web or iOS and Android mobile apps. Its metaverse aims to be similar to the classic Monopoly board game, with recreations of 22 real-world cities mapped in Upland’s virtual world.
