Published 02 November 2021

While participation in the global sports market is expected to reach 3.5 billion people by 2025, under-34s are losing interest in linear broadcasts (see Key Stats). To engage these fans, sports organisations need to build communities around participation and interaction. We explore how crypto, fantasy sports and collector cultures are shaping tomorrow's supporters.

Gamifying Fandom

Modernising Memorabilia

The Fan Token Phenomenon

Fantasy sports have millions of global players vying to add the best athletes to their made-up teams in a global engagement market projected to hit $48bn annual revenue by 2027 (Brandessence, 2021). Social platform Greenpark Sports is expanding competition with mobile games, while Fan-Controlled Football turns the crowd into coaches for their teams.

Fantasy sports have millions of global players vying to add the best athletes to their made-up teams in a global engagement market projected to hit $48bn annual revenue by 2027 (Brandessence, 2021). Social platform Greenpark Sports is expanding competition with mobile games, while Fan-Controlled Football turns the crowd into coaches for their teams.

Summary

Gamifying Fandom

Fantasy sports have millions of global players vying to add the best athletes to their made-up teams in a global engagement market projected to hit $48bn annual revenue by 2027 (Brandessence, 2021). Social platform Greenpark Sports is expanding competition with mobile games, while Fan-Controlled Football turns the crowd into coaches for their teams.

Modernising Memorabilia

From physical kits to digital non-fungible-token (NFT) moments, the sports memorabilia market is booming. Collectible providers are ushering in the next wave with one-off commemorative drops, artist collaborations, and early investment opportunities in young athletes' NFT futures.

The Fan Token Phenomenon

Legacy sports giants like Paris Saint Germain and FC Barcelona are opening new revenue streams with blockchain fan tokens that turn team spirit into a currency. Elsewhere, individual athlete creators are producing their own tokens to monetise their social followings, and reclaim some of their brand gains to support the next generation of athletes.

Future Sports Fandoms

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?

Topics

Want to see the full report?

Offering access to over 350 consumer and cross-industry reports annually, Stylus Membership is your window to tomorrow’s most exciting opportunities.

We already arm more than 500 of the world’s most forward-thinking brands and agencies with the creative insights they need to make transformative business decisions.

We’d love to do the same for you.

Book a demo with us today to discover more.

Want to see the full report?

Offering access to over 350 consumer and cross-industry reports annually, Stylus Membership is your window to tomorrow’s most exciting opportunities.

We already arm more than 500 of the world’s most forward-thinking brands and agencies with the creative insights they need to make transformative business decisions.

We’d love to do the same for you.

Book a demo with us today to discover more.

Future-Forward Entertainment 25/26

Future-Forward Entertainment 25/26

Future-Forward Entertainment 25/26

Future-Forward Entertainment 25/26

Future-Forward Entertainment 25/26

New technologies, venues and viewing formats are presenting audiences craving novelty and innovation with more entertainment options than ever. But what will resonate most strongly in 2025/26? Spanning film and TV, live performances, exhibitions and ‘sportstainment’ – via real-life immersive thrills,...

1 / 10