International Cricket Council and NEAR Foundation sign groundbreaking, multi-year partnership to boost global fan engagement through Web3
The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Near Foundation have announced a pioneering technology partnership that aims to enhance fan engagement with cricket worldwide. Through this partnership, the NEAR Foundation will become the ICC’s Official Blockchain Partner until the end of 2025, working together to increase fan engagement, attract new audiences, and provide long-term value for fans.
The partnership will kick off with the launch of a pre-match strategy challenge ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India, starting on 5th October. Powered by NEAR’s Blockchain Operating System (B.O.S.), this challenge will allow fans to test their cricket knowledge and strategize against others to showcase their understanding of the sport.
Fans participating in the challenge will need to make strategic decisions to create winning combinations across batting, bowling, and fielding. As real-life matches unfold, the performance of the teams on the field will directly impact the fans’ scores. A leaderboard will track each fan’s performance, and weekly winners will receive prizes such as match tickets, exclusive events, Men’s CWC merchandise, and more. This initiative aims to place fans at the center of the action and bring them closer to the game than ever before.
By building their products on NEAR’s B.O.S., the ICC will benefit from the reliability, scalability, and security offered by one of the world’s most highly regarded blockchains. NEAR’s blockchain delivers proven, best-in-class performance and can support any Web3 strategy, enabling the ICC to create direct connections between millions of fans worldwide.
Beyond the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, the partnership will focus on developing long-term Web3 use cases that celebrate and promote loyalty to the sport. The aim is to reward fans with prizes and greater access to the game based on their level of support and engagement. The B.O.S. will play a key role in this process, offering a full stack of Web3 tools and easy onboarding for fans. The ultimate goal is to develop a fan passport that allows fans to record their actions and memories in a tamper-proof manner across various touchpoints, both online and offline.
According to Finn Bradshaw, Head of Digital at the ICC, this partnership with the NEAR Foundation presents an exciting opportunity to use technology and talent to enhance fan engagement globally. The ICC looks forward to exploring innovative ways to create lasting and valuable experiences for fans.
Chris Donovan, CEO of the NEAR Foundation, also expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the immense size and popularity of cricket as a means to introduce the NEAR ecosystem to potentially hundreds of millions of cricket fans. The NEAR Foundation aims to increase the adoption of an open web and engage fans with Web3 use cases built on the Blockchain Operating System. Donovan believes that this partnership will contribute to making the world of sport more inclusive and exciting for everyone.
In conclusion, the ICC and the Near Foundation’s technology partnership is set to revolutionize fan engagement in cricket. By leveraging blockchain technology and the NEAR ecosystem, cricket fans can look forward to immersive experiences, exciting challenges, and increased interaction with their favorite teams and players. This groundbreaking collaboration signifies a step towards a more inclusive and thrilling future for cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
