Switzerland Says, “Hold On a Minute!”

So, guess what? Switzerland’s gaming watchdog, Gespa, is poking around FIFA’s new toy – the “Right-to-Buy” blockchain collectibles. They want to make sure that FIFA is playing nice with local gambling laws. Who knew soccer could stir up some regulatory drama, right?

What’s This Right-to-Buy Fuss All About?

These RTB collectibles, which you can snag through the FIFA Collect platform, let fans score a ticket to the 2026 World Cup happening in North America. Initially, FIFA is selling these goodies directly, but after that, fans can put them up for sale on a secondary market. Talk about a win-win for soccer lovers!

The Pitch from FIFA

Modex Technologies’ Chief Marketing Officer, Antonio Lorenzon, excitedly shared, “Our mission is to bring fans closer to the game they love! By launching Right-To-Buy on FIFA Collect, we’re giving supporters a fresh and direct avenue to be part of FIFA World Cup 26™, transforming digital mementos into tangible ticket opportunities!” Sounds all nice and jazzy, doesn’t it?

Gespa’s Detective Work

According to the buzz from Bloomberg, Gespa isn’t just looking around idly. They’re gathering intel to decide whether any rules are being bent. The plot thickens!

Ticket Prices – No Pocket Change Here!

If you fancy getting your hands on these collectible tickets, expect to fork out some cash. We’re talking $149 for the chance to buy a ticket to a match in Houston, over $1,200 for Canada’s debut game, and a whopping $7,000 for the right to get your hands on a ticket for the opening match at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico. Yikes!

No Waiting in Line!

Owning these collectibles is like having a VIP pass to the front of the ticket line when they go on sale, but don’t forget – you still need to pay for the actual ticket. It’s not a freebie, folks! It just means you skip the queue.

The Ticket Sales Game Plan

Tickets for the World Cup are being rolled out in phases. The Visa Early Presale kicked off in mid-September, with the next wave expected at the end of October, and more draws to keep fans hustling closer to the tournament. And don’t forget—there’s a special stash of tickets just for FIFA Collect users! Lucky us!

What About the Tech Side?

The FIFA Collect platform started its journey on Algorand back in 2022, but earlier this year, FIFA decided it was time for a change and ditched the proof-of-stake blockchain. Instead, they’re now building their very own Avalanche layer-1 network to supercharge their platform, promising enhanced digital collectibles and immersive fan experiences. Exciting stuff!

All Eyes on FIFA and Gespa

As of now, both Gespa and FIFA Collect are playing it quiet, not responding to Decrypt’s requests for a comment. Could there be more drama on the horizon? Only time will tell, folks!