Major League Soccer (MLS) has partnered with digital collectible platform Sweet to launch MLS Quest, an innovative blockchain-based video game aimed at engaging its expanding fan base, particularly among younger audiences. Designed to combine the excitement of sports memorabilia collection with interactive gameplay, MLS Quest introduces a new digital collecting experience, allowing fans to own video-based collectibles featuring iconic moments and players from MLS history.
Accessible online, MLS Quest operates as a video collection and ownership game, where players can tap into official MLS Quest Pick Up Zones, both physically and digitally, to gather licensed MLS team-branded medallions. These Pick Up Zones include various platforms and locations such as online sites, social media channels, and on-site partner venues. Each medallion collected reveals a “Key Play of the Game,” showcasing memorable moments from MLS matches, with highlights featuring renowned players like Lionel Messi, Carlos Vela, and David Beckham. Players who gather all four medallions from a specific match complete a “quest,” unlocking a unique reward for their collection efforts.
Expanding Digital Sports Collecting in the U.S. Market
MLS Quest builds upon the growing popularity of sports collectibles in the digital realm, aligning with similar trends in digital memorabilia seen across sports leagues in the U.S., such as the NBA. As digital collectibles become increasingly popular, MLS Quest aims to capitalize on this trend by engaging younger fans through an interactive, blockchain-based platform that offers collectible items and memorable moments. Through MLS Quest, the league is tapping into a demographic interested in the convergence of sports and technology, providing an avenue for fans to experience memorable moments and own a piece of MLS history.
Players begin their journey at the “academy” level within MLS Quest, gradually progressing through various stages to eventually reach “MLS MVP” status. With each level, participants unlock additional rewards and gain access to more immersive features, creating a dynamic experience that encourages continued engagement. The game also incorporates a social element, allowing fans to invite friends to join the experience, participate in quests together, and explore additional league and club-based rewards, thereby fostering a community-driven aspect within the game.
Exclusive Medallions and Rewards Elevate Fan Engagement
To encourage participation, MLS Quest provides players with their first medallion free of charge. Further medallions can be collected by watching MLS matches from home or attending games in person, providing flexibility and engagement for fans across different viewing experiences. The medallions hold unique highlights of key plays, allowing fans to experience thrilling game moments in a collectible format. As fans accumulate these medallions, they have opportunities to win a wide array of rewards, including team merchandise, autographed jerseys, match tickets, digital collectibles, exclusive on-field access, and other valuable experiences.
The game leverages cutting-edge blockchain technology, utilizing Sweet’s expertise in digital collectibles and the blockchain infrastructure provided by Sui, a Layer 1 blockchain known for its speed, security, and focus on accessible digital ownership. Sui’s smart contract capabilities enable the platform to deliver a smooth, private, and secure experience for MLS Quest players, ensuring that digital ownership is both authenticated and easily accessible. By combining Sweet’s innovation in the collectibles space with Sui’s blockchain technology, MLS Quest offers fans a unique and trustworthy experience.
Revolutionizing Sports Collectibles for the Modern Fan
Chris Schlosser, Senior Vice President of Emerging Ventures at MLS, expressed the league’s enthusiasm for MLS Quest, noting that it aligns with their mission to expand the fan base and enhance fan engagement through interactive digital offerings. Schlosser highlighted that the collaboration with Sweet has produced a product that reflects a mutual commitment to innovation within the digital space, positioning MLS Quest as a valuable addition to the fan engagement portfolio.
Sweet’s CEO, Tom Mizzone, emphasized that MLS Quest introduces a new era in sports memorabilia by combining the thrill of collecting with interactive challenges that test fans’ knowledge of the sport. Mizzone noted that the platform’s blockchain-backed features provide fans with secure access to exclusive rewards and experiences, transforming the concept of sports collecting into an interactive journey. He shared that this gamified approach not only brings key plays to life for fans but also encourages them to collect, trade, and interact with other fans to unlock even more exclusive benefits.
A New Era of Fan Interaction and Digital Collectibles
MLS Quest represents a major step in the evolution of fan engagement for Major League Soccer, combining blockchain technology with the appeal of digital collectibles to offer fans a unique, memorable experience. The game provides an innovative way for fans to connect with their favorite teams and players, whether through collecting iconic moments or advancing through interactive quests. With this launch, MLS aims to provide an experience that resonates with the next generation of fans, establishing a new standard for fan interaction in professional sports. Through the power of blockchain, MLS Quest brings fans closer to the action, offering rewards and collectibles that honor the past, celebrate the present, and open new possibilities for the future of MLS fandom.
