Quick take:
- Reignmakers UFC will allow fans to collect NFTs of their favourite UFC fighters and utilise them in games.
- The NFTs will be available on DraftKings marketplace.
- Collectors will receive rewards both leading into and following the game rollout based on the utility of the NFT.
Digital sports entertainment and gaming company, DraftKings, today announced its plans to launch a new iteration of DraftKings’ “Reignmakers” gamified digital collectibles franchise focused on UFC.
Similar to the Reignmakers Football NFT model launched in partnership with the NFLPA in May, Reignmakers UFC will allow fans to collect NFTs of their favourite UFC fighters and utilise them in games to compete for prizes.
currently in development, the first season of Reignmakers UFC NFT-based games is expected to go live later this year, with the Reignmakers UFC NFT drops and auctions kicking off on June 27 before UFC 276: ADESANYA vs. CANNONIER.
At launch, the will feature missions, achievements, level-ups, leaderboards and other unique features. Ahead of the game’s launch, fans can start collecting the initial NFTs of fighters via auctions and drops in DraftKings’ “Heatwave Series,” which will be based around this summer’s UFC events schedule.
Collectors will receive digital and physical rewards both leading into and following the game rollout based on the utility of the NFT which could include entries into special daily fantasy contests for cash, custom merchandise and more. All fighter collections will eventually become playable, in-game items.
Under the new agreement with UFC, DraftKings Marketplace will be able to choose from over 500 different athletes on the active UFC roster to create the Reignmakers UFC collection.
The NFTs will drop on DraftKing’s marketplace with varying rarity tiers that include entry-level NFTs for mass affordability. Users will also be able to buy and sell the UFC Reignmakers NFTs on DraftKing’s secondary market.
“UFC has been a tremendous collaborator over the years, and we are delighted for the organization to represent our latest installment within DraftKings’ burgeoning Reignmakers gamified digital collectibles franchise,” said Beth Beiriger, SVP of Product Operations for DraftKings Marketplace. “Fight fans are already among the most engaged audiences, and we see these immersive technologies as bolstering the unique sports entertainment ecosystem we provide for consumers while also rewarding their undeniable passion.”
According to Spotico, UFC SVP, global consumer products Tracey Bleczinski said that fighters will receive half of the licensing revenue generated, with individual fighter’s revenue share determined by the popularity of their NFT.
DraftKings plans to mint a new set of digital collectibles every year, and is in “active conversations” with other leagues as it continues to develop Reignmakers.
Reignmakers UFC is the next move in UFC’s five-year partnership with DraftKings which was signed in a deal worth more than $100 million in March. In February, UFC partnered with Dapper Labs to launch NFTs for MMA fans.
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