Euro 2020 may have taken place in 2021, but that allowed UEFA and the competition organisers to better prepare for the showpiece event. It was always going to be a tournament like no other. One of the reasons was the introduction of blockchain technology across multiple areas, with the digitalisation of football fast becoming a reality.
Ticket Distribution Using The Blockchain
UEFA got the ball rolling by distributing some tickets for Euro 2020 using a blockchain-based system. Doing so immediately guarantees ticket holders a hassle-free and safe entry into the relevant stadium because of how UEFA utilises blockchain technology at their disposal. For example, the QR codes that will give fans access activates by Bluetooth when near the stadium and not a second before.
UEFA has always encountered issues related to duplicates of tickets being made or genuine tickets being the subject of re-sellers or those pumping them out on the black market. So, the decision to bring a blockchain set up into play for what was the most significant Euros of all time made a lot of sense, as it immediately removes the risk of any of these underhand tactics occurring.
1 BTC Bonus
&150 Free Spins- Wild Casino Promotions
- Super Fast Withdrawals
- VIP Rewards
18+ New Players Only. Min. Wagering Requirement. Valid until Further Notice. Full T&C's Apply
Fans Interaction
Another positive that blockchain brings to the table is its ability to increase engagement with supporters. Engagement is crucial at all levels of football. We have already seen some clubs produce bespoke tokens, giving them the ability to get their voice heard when it comes to decision making and so on. At Euro 2020, UEFA worked with AntChain as a global partner to improve the fan experience.
Alipay UEFA Dream Tour
Alipay, the team behind the UEFA Dream Tour campaign that ran throughout the showpiece event, was keen to build the engagement levels by offering the leading 1600 users of their service the chance to collect trophies such as NFTs, all of which were unavailable elsewhere and exclusive to the program. And, records of the winners are now stored permanently on the AntChain blockchain system.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Top Goalscorer
Talking of winners, blockchain also influenced Euro 2020 thanks to the top goalscorer award, which no other than Cristiano Ronaldo won. The Portuguese attacker, arguably the greatest player of all time, managed to bag five goals and an assist from four outings. His country exited the tournament in the knockout stage after losing narrowly to Belgium.
Permanent Record
The thirty-six-year-old won the Alipay Top Scorer Trophy for his exploits, with his stats being uploaded directly to the AntChain blockchain network, where they will be permanently stored. It’s the first award of its kind in football, and with AntChain having a five-year agreement with UEFA, it won’t be the last, as the partnership will continue into Euro 2024.
Huge Potential
And, we may see blockchain and football combine further in future through UEFA’s deal with AntChain, and potentially in other competitions they run, such as the Champions League, Europe League and Conference League. The possibilities are endless, significantly when blockchain can improve multiple areas such as ticketing too.