The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) mixed martial arts promotion has signed a lucrative new sponsorship agreement with blockchain firm VeChain.
The long-term deal, described as a “first-of-its-kind” partnership, is understood to be worth $100 million, making it one of the biggest sponsorships in UFC’s history.
Go deeper with GlobalData
As part of the deal, VeChain will become UFC’s first-ever official layer 1 blockchain partner and an official marketing partner.
The agreement also marks VeChain’s first foray into sports.
The blockchain platform will receive “unprecedented integration” into key UFC assets, ranging from live events, including broadcast features and in-arena promotion, to original content distributed through UFC’s digital and social channels.
VeChain will have promotional opportunities such as branding in the Octagon, as well as sponsoring UFC’s fighter rankings, starting this weekend at the UFC 275 event in Singapore.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataAmong other branded activations, UFC will also provide VeChain with access to its facilities, such as the Performance Institute and APEX, to develop corporate activities and events, and the two parties will partner to create VIP sweepstakes promotions for fans to attend events.
The agreement will additionally include an annual brand ambassador fund that will offer paid marketing opportunities to participating UFC athletes.
The tie-up with VeChain is the UFC’s latest in the cryptocurrency sector having last year signed a $175-million sponsorship deal with crypto exchange platform Crypto.com for 10 years.
The MMA promotion has also previously collaborated with blockchain fan engagement platform Socios.com to launch fan tokens.
Sunny Lu, co-founder and chief executive of VeChain, said: “It is a historical moment when VeChain joins forces with the fastest growing sport to raise awareness that blockchain technology is critical in helping deliver major global objectives, such as sustainability.”
Paul Asencio, UFC senior vice president of global partnerships, added: “VeChain’s expertise in using real-world blockchain applications to help the public and private sector achieve their carbon-neutral goals is an effort we are proud to support.
“We’re looking forward to working with VeChain to leverage UFC’s worldwide popularity to promote a positive message that blockchain technology can be used to protect our environment for future generations.”
