The NFL, the NFL Players Association, and Mythical Games have collaborated to launch NFL Rivals, the first NFL-licensed game to incorporate Web3 technology. NFL Rivals allows fans to become general managers and build their dream team while participating in arcade-style gameplay. Players can join squads and represent their favorite NFL franchise. As they progress through the game, they unlock and upgrade NFL players and digital collectibles. Mythical Games aims to provide a gaming experience that allows players to enjoy NFL Rivals without having to understand the intricacies of blockchain technology. The digital collectibles can be traded and sold on Mythical’s Marketplace, which is available in-game on mobile devices. In the future, a bidding system will be introduced to the marketplace.
During the soft launch of NFL Rivals, the game was downloaded over 2 million times and had over 15 million matches played in just four months. The CEO of Mythical Games, John Linden, expressed excitement about the global launch and the opportunity it provides for NFL fans to own and build their own team of licensed NFL players. NFL Rivals has also partnered with the Miami Dolphins, offering branding and fan engagement opportunities during home games. This game follows a trend of sports leagues exploring Web3-enabled games to enhance revenue and fan involvement. Notable examples include Sorare, which has partnerships with the NBA, MLB, and top soccer leagues worldwide.