DraftKings and the UFC have announced their plans to release a new collection of NFTs focused on the combat sport. Reignmakers UFC will allow fans to build collections of their favorite fighters and use them in games to compete for prizes.
The first season of Reignmakers games is expected to go live later this year. Prior to the game’s release, fans will be able to start collecting fighters’ starting NFTs through auctions and giveways in DraftKings’ “Heatwave Series”, which will be based on the UFC’s event schedule, starting with UFC 276: ADESANYA vs. CANNONIER on the 2nd of July.
Collectors will receive rewards at both the start and end of the event, based on the NFT’s usefulness, which could include entries into special daily fantasy contests, custom merchandise, and more.
Under the new agreement with the UFC, the DraftKings Marketplace will have access to the IP of over 500 different athletes from the UFC’s active roster, from which it will choose to create the UFC Reignmakers collection.
In an official press release, Beth Beiriger, SVP of Product Operations for the DraftKings Marketplace, stated, “UFC has been a tremendous contributor over the years, and we are delighted that the organization represents our latest installment within the growing number of NFT collectors”.
“Fight fans are already among the most engaged audiences, and we see these immersive technologies as reinforcing the unique sports entertainment ecosystem we provide to consumers, while rewarding their undeniable passion.”
Reignmakers UFC is in development right now, and at launch it will include familiar features and functionality related to quests, achievements, levels up, leaderboards, and other game mechanics.
Meanwhile, the inaugural collection of NFTs will provide collectors with timely digital and physical rewards tied to corresponding UFC events.
Tracey Bleczinski, Senior Vice President of Global Consumer Products at UFK, added, “We are excited to expand our relationship with DraftKings to incorporate the UFC into their long-awaited collection of NFTs.”
“Reignmakers UFC will be a unique and innovative opportunity to create fan engagement that combines DraftKings’ expertise in digital sports entertainment with pioneering technology that features hundreds of UFC athletes, including some of the biggest names in the sport,” added Tracey.
