Professional Fighters League (PFL), a prominent mixed martial arts organization, has joined the growing trend of utilizing nonfungible tokens (NFTs) as a ticketing solution. In collaboration with Web3 firm CrossTower, PFL will introduce NFT tickets powered by Ripple’s XRP Ledger for the upcoming 2023 fighting season.
With its unique season format, PFL aims to differentiate itself from the popular Ultimate Fighting Championship. By incorporating NFT tickets into their events, PFL seeks to enhance the overall fan experience. Exclusive benefits of NFT VIP tickets include cage-side seating, access to pre-fight weigh-ins, opportunities to meet and greet PFL fighters, and memorable ring walk experiences.
CEO of CrossTower, Kapil Rathi, emphasized the advantages of utilizing the XRP Ledger for NFT tickets, praising its enterprise-grade scalability and utility. The XRP Ledger, an open-source, energy-efficient, and decentralized blockchain supported by a global developer community, serves as the foundation for the NFT ticketing technology developed by CrossTower.
While NFT ticketing is not a new concept, it continues to gain traction across various industries. In the United States, the National Football League (NFL) distributed approximately 250,000 NFT tickets after its launch in November 2021. Super Bowl LVI granted fans the opportunity to mint personalized NFT tickets at no cost, leveraging the Polygon blockchain and showcasing animated visual elements.
World Rugby, the governing body for the sport, expressed interest in exploring the potential of NFTs and invited potential partners to collaborate. However, there have been no official announcements regarding the integration of NFT ticket functionality for the upcoming 2023 Rugby World Cup, scheduled to be hosted in France.
As preparations for the 2024 Olympics in Paris progress, NFT tickets are being considered to improve crowd management and enhance the spectator experience. Following the incidents during the 2021 Champions League final, which involved counterfeit ticket sales and overcrowding, French officials are keen on implementing measures to ensure the smooth execution of future events.
Sports Illustrated has also entered the NFT ticketing space with its Box Office solution. Developed in partnership with ConsenSys and powered by Polygon, Box Office offers self-service event management and ticketing solutions.
