Is a FIFA Crypto Coming? Blockchain World Cup Tickets Probed

[Redator]

Swiss gambling watchdog tests FIFA’s blockchain ticket plan, putting a spotlight on where digital collectibles end and gambling begins.

According to Swiss information, Switzerland’s gambling authority, Gespa, has initiated a preliminary investigation into FIFA’s blockchain-based “Right-to-Buy” ticket scheme for the 2026 World Cup, examining whether the product falls under Swiss gambling law.

The tokens, sold on FIFA’s Collect marketplace, give holders a guaranteed window to buy match tickets once sales open. 

They can also be traded on a secondary market. Gespa said it is currently gathering information before deciding if further action is needed.

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FIFA’s Right-to-Buy (RTB) is described as a digital asset that grants permission to purchase tickets for specific matches or stages, but it does not include the ticket itself. 

Official listings show RTB drops tied to host cities and match phases, with some already sold out.

The system operates on the new FIFA Blockchain, which was built in partnership with Modex and is based on Avalanche’s EVM-compatible network.

In an emailed statement, Gespa director Manuel Richard said it “cannot be ruled out that the offering on collect.fifa.com may be relevant under gambling legislation,” adding that the regulator will conduct additional fact-finding.

Under Swiss law, Gespa can order local internet providers to block access to non-compliant sites and alert prosecutors if violations are found. FIFA has not commented publicly on the matter, according to reports from Swiss media.

The review marks one of the first tests of how tokenized sports products will be treated under gambling and consumer protection rules ahead of the next World Cup.

Market activity around FIFA’s blockchain ticket scheme remains strong. Data from recent listings show Right-to-Buy (RTB) tokens priced from approximately $149 for early group-stage options to more than $7,000 for high-demand matches, such as the Azteca opener. An England “Right-to-Final” token, listed at $999, sold out quickly.

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Reports suggest that FIFA has already generated eight-figure revenue from RTB sales, even before general ticket sales have opened.

The inquiry comes as fans question FIFA’s ticket pricing model. The Football Supporters’ Association called the costs “astonishing” after first-release final tickets started above $2,000. 

On the resale side, FIFA’s official marketplace charges fees to both buyers and sellers, while dynamic pricing has sent some listings to several times their face value.

Technically, FIFA has shifted its Collect marketplace from earlier chains to its own Avalanche-based Layer 1 network, using USDC on the Avalanche C-Chain for transactions. 

Modex is listed as the technology provider on FIFA’s site.

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There is no FIFA cryptocurrency or tokenized payment system involved. RTBs act as utility collectibles digital passes that give holders the right to buy tickets later. 

Payments are made in regular currencies or USDC, making the tokens more of an access right than a form of money.

Gespa’s preliminary review will decide if any enforcement action is needed. 

The outcome could shape how FIFA manages tokenized ticket rights for the upcoming North American World Cup and set a broader precedent for blockchain ticketing in global sports.

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