Crypto.com and Topps, a subsidiary of Fanatics Collectibles, announced that they will encapsulate the official UEFA Champions League final kick-off coin into a unique Topps Now Relic physical card, digitally certified on the Cronos blockchain. This collaboration bundles physical souvenirs, on-chain credentials, and subsequent viewing privileges together, targeting both sports collectible enthusiasts and digital collectors.
Unique physical cards distributed via lottery
Topps plans to release the basic version of the card on Topps.com shortly after the finals. One winner will be randomly selected from the purchasers to receive a unique Relic card containing the official tee-off coin.
This coin is the official physical object used in the opening coin toss of the match, by the referee before the start of the game at the Puskás Stadium in Budapest. The coin will then be sent to Topps in Munich for printing, where it will eventually be encapsulated in this 1:1 scale card.
Cronos on-chain certification with associated benefits
This physical coin will also generate a corresponding digital collectible on the Cronos blockchain. In addition to authentication, the on-chain certificate will also serve as the key to access subsequent benefits.
- UEFA Super Cup Final Tickets
- Eligibility to play 8 matches in the self-selected club league stage
- The opportunity to hand over the official kick-off coin during the club's first home game.
Nicholas Christ, Global Head of Sponsorship at Crypto.com, stated that this event combines the traditional matchday coin toss with modern fan collecting methods. The company also emphasized that putting the physical items on the blockchain not only preserves their unique commemorative status but also makes ownership easier to verify.
The Champions League partnership has been extended to 2027.
This event is also part of Crypto.com's Champions League Match Coin series for this season. The series has covered 189 Champions League matches, and some fans have already received digital match coins and participated in draws for VIP viewing, sideline experiences, and pre-match coin submissions.
UEFA has signed a deal with Crypto.com for the 2024-2027 commercial cycle, making Crypto.com the first and exclusive global crypto platform partner for the Champions League. Through this partnership, Crypto.com gains a long-term window to test digital collectibles and on-chain interactive products around Europe's top club competitions.
From a business perspective, this is also an attempt by the Cronos ecosystem to continue expanding into sports and collectible scenarios. Unlike simply issuing commemorative NFTs, this product binds the value of actually used game coins, on-chain certification records, and physical card collectibles together, aiming to increase scarcity and secondary market appeal.
