STEPN, a popular move-to-earn mobile app built on the Solana blockchain recently announced their partnership with the Argentine Football Association (AFA). Now, together, they’re birthing NFT digital sneakers into the metaverse! This partnership will help drive the Association deeper into Web3, giving fans exciting new ways to connect with their favorite team. In STEPN, users earn rewards when they walk, jog, or run outside. The collaboration with AFA marks a significant milestone for STEPN as it deepens its footprint in the NFT ecosystem.
This collaboration between STEPN and AFA will last for the next two years. It rewards passionate fans with exclusive prizes and inspirational lotteries. This helps to give the best experience possible to backers of the Argentine national team. This will be a second successful collaboration for STEPN after its previous victory towards Adidas in the year 2021.
STEPN's Move into the Web3 Space
Since its release in March 2022, STEPN has emerged as one of the most popular move-to-earn applications. Not only does it incentivize users with cryptocurrency for maintaining fitness, encouraging a healthier lifestyle, but it introduces them to blockchain technology. The application’s popularity has grown strongly with over 250,000 monthly active users.
This partnership with AFA is not STEPN’s first adventure into NFT space. Earlier this year, sneaker company Adidas partnered with STEPN in 2021 to create an NFT collection that included 1,000 of these limited edition digital sneakers. Those digital sneakers sold out in seconds at 10,000 GMT per pair! This phenomenal sales figure reflects the incredible demand that’s sweeping the world for unique digital assets.
AFA's Web3 Expansion
The Argentine Football Association’s partnership with STEPN is a calculated step to extend its reach into the Web3 ecosystem. By releasing NFT digital sneakers, AFA is able to engage a much larger and more diverse audience. This new program provides cutting edge opportunities for fans to engage and support their team. This move is indicative of an increasing trend of sports organizations adopting blockchain technology to create innovative fan experiences.
"The journey of AFA in Web3 continues to grow and thanks to the experience of STEPN, AFA will be able to reach millions of users in the Web3 space with the goal of consolidating the passion and excellence that our team conveys to the next generation of Argentina National Team fans." - Leandro Petersen
With this collaboration, AFA gained the ability to connect with STEPN’s large user base and expertise in the NFT market. Beyond potential for engagement, this creates new avenues of revenue.
NFT Sneakers and the Future of Fan Engagement
On 28 March 2023, in celebration of the legendary football club, Argentine Football Association (AFA), STEPN released NFT digital sneakers. This initiative combines the passion for sports with the innovation of blockchain technology, creating a unique and engaging experience for fans. NFT sneakers provide an innovative opportunity for fans to engage with their favorite team, promote their fandom, and visibly display their support.
NFTs offer new opportunities for creators to connect with their communities. To sports organizations, such as AFA, NFTs provide an innovative platform to develop exclusive digital or real-world collectibles and experiences that boost fan engagement. We know the Web3 space is constantly changing and developing. Collaborations such as STEPN’s partnership with AFA will be increasingly seen in this fast-paced ecosystem.
