The Professional Fighters League (PFL), an esteemed mixed martial arts organization, is stepping into the world of nonfungible tokens (NFTs) as a ticketing solution. Collaborating with Web3 company CrossTower, the PFL plans to introduce NFT tickets powered by Ripple’s XRP Ledger for the upcoming 2023 fighting season. This move signifies the PFL’s fifth year in operation, and it aims to offer exclusive benefits to NFT VIP ticket holders. These perks include prime cage-side seating, access to pre-fight weigh-ins, opportunities to meet and greet PFL fighters, memorable ring walk experiences, and more.
CrossTower CEO Kapil Rathi emphasized that the XRP Ledger, the technology behind the NFT tickets, provides enterprise-grade scalability and functionality for this innovative ticketing solution. NFT ticketing has gained traction in various industries, including sports. The National Football League (NFL) in the United States, for instance, distributed approximately 250,000 NFT tickets during its launch in November 2021. Super Bowl LVI even featured commemorative NFT tickets for all attendees, allowing them to create their own customized NFT tickets to commemorate the event.
The potential of NFT ticketing has also caught the attention of other sports organizations. World Rugby, the governing body for the sport, expressed interest in exploring NFTs as well. While plans for the 2023 Rugby World Cup have not been confirmed, the use of NFT tickets could play a role in enhancing the global sporting event. Similarly, the organizers of the 2024 Olympics in Paris have considered utilizing NFT tickets to improve crowd control and enhance the spectator experience. After the 2021 Champions League final encountered issues related to fake ticket sales and overcrowding, French officials are keen on finding ways to enhance event management and security.
In the evolving landscape of ticketing solutions, Sports Illustrated introduced its own NFT ticketing platform called Box Office in May 2023. Powered by Polygon and developed in partnership with ConsenSys, Box Office offers self-service event management and ticketing solutions, catering to a wide range of events.
