Venture capital firm LocalGlobe and metaverse company Improbable have announced the launch of Victory League.
The pair have committed $4m in seed funding into the platform, which is billed as ‘a digital world transforming the way that football fans engage with players and clubs around the world’.
There will also be a gaming element to the platform, where supporters can play mini games against fellow fans.
Other backers include Arsenal footballer Oleksandr Zinchenko, former Arsenal player Nwankwo Kanu and Vogue fashion photographer Hugo Comte.
The Arsenal link continues, with Victory League having enlisted the services of AFTV boss Robbie Lyle to host some promotional content.
With the new platform, football fans can ‘share stories, participate in exclusive live events and forge deeper connections with their clubs and heroes, no matter location or background’.
The metaverse platform will partner with clubs, players and leagues in both men’s and women’s football, offering them an opportunity to become equity owners.
Pilot events alongside Arsenal’s Zinchenko, Ukrainian manager and former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko, and Nigerian and Arsenal football legend Nwankwo Kanu have already taken place.
Improbable’s Herman Narula said: “Victory League goes beyond simply watching. It’s about celebrating your passion, engaging with your community, and getting closer to your idols.”
Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko added:
“Victory League brings fans and players closer than ever before. I’m excited to share personal stories and be part of football’s evolution.”
Oleksandr Zinchenko
LocalGlobe founder Saul Klein called this the ‘third wave of football’ for fans looking for ‘immediacy and interaction wherever they are, beyond what they experience consuming television (wave one) or social media (wave two)’.
He said: “We’re creating an authentic digital experience that rivals the stadium’s energy. Victory League ensures the game remains a vital cultural force.”
Ahead of Euro 2024, the platform is inviting 30,000 fans to exclusive events powered by Improbable’s Morpheus technology. These events will showcase its star players and build anticipation for the tournament, building on past events including Game4Ukraine and Clash of Fans.
“The support from Improbable and LocalGlobe is a testament to Victory League’s vision,” said Marcus Bläsche, a gaming and web3 expert who is supporting the launch of the platform.
“With the added excitement of bringing supporters closer to their favourite players and clubs, Victory League is poised to create an unmatched virtual football experience.”
There’s more info on the Victory League website
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
