FIFA Launches Proprietary Blockchain on May 20—NFT Holders Face Urgent Migration Deadline

Game on—or is it? FIFA’s jumping into the blockchain arena with its own network, set to go live May 20. Collectors who scooped up the organization’s NFTs during previous drops now face a ticking clock: migrate your digital assets to the new chain, or risk getting red-carded out of the ecosystem.

The rush to reimport highlights crypto’s eternal growing pains—even legacy brands can’t escape the infrastructure shuffle. And let’s be real: nothing screams ’modern football’ like forcing fans to perform wallet gymnastics between matchdays.

One cynical take? This smells like a play for recurring revenue disguised as tech innovation. After all, what better way to monetize loyalty than by making supporters pay gas fees to keep their collectibles alive?

Wallet Support Shifts Toward EVM Standards

Assets purchased before the migration will be moved automatically unless they were previously exported.

Those who have moved collectibles off-platform must reimport them before the migration date to ensure they’re included in the transition.

Users will not need to take immediate action. FIFA said it will issue clear instructions as the process begins, with a 12-hour service downtime expected during the switch.

Collectibles already listed on the platform will remain listed unless users choose to delist them.

The FIFA Blockchain will also change wallet compatibility. Algorand-based wallets like Pera and Defly will no longer be supported. Instead, users will need to connect using MetaMask or any WalletConnect-compatible EVM wallet.

Balances in USDC will remain available for withdrawal post-migration, but cannot be spent on the platform after the move. FIFA also confirmed that no fees will be charged for migrating existing assets.

According to the FAQ, the infrastructure shift is designed to support wallet compatibility and lay the groundwork for new product experiences.

FIFA Builds Out Ecosystem

In 2024, the announcement of FIFA Rivals marked the beginning of FIFA’s push into blockchain gaming. The mobile title is being developed by Mythical Games and will feature free-to-play, real-time arcade gameplay where players manage teams and compete globally.

Skill, style, and pure football!

FIFA Rivals takes over this summer, watch the trailer now! #FIFARivals pic.twitter.com/VZ8lfJkC0m

The game will operate on the Mythos blockchain, which runs on the Polkadot network. It draws from Mythical’s experience with NFL Rivals, a similar game that has amassed millions of users despite a smaller sports audience.

FIFA Rivals will also incorporate features that allow players to own and trade in-game items. These mechanics follow Mythical’s earlier project Blankos Block Party, which supported NFT-based economies and saw high transaction volumes after transitioning to the Polkadot ecosystem.

Leading sports brands are moving from experimenting with digital assets to building the infrastructure. By shifting to proprietary blockchains, groups like FIFA are asserting more control over user data, licensing terms, and platform dynamics.

What began as collectibles could become a networked model of participation—where play, identity, and ownership move through the same digital rails.