Serie A, the top-tier of Italian soccer, has announced the multi-year renewal and expansion of its partnership with blockchain-based fan engagement platform Socios.

The partnership, which began in January 2022, will run for another three years, through the end of the 2026-27 campaign.

In the 2024-25 season alone, this expanded deal will see 100 balls scored in Serie A games, as well as games in the Coppa Italia knockout competition and season-opening Super Cup, available for fans to claim through the Socios service.

That is more than double what was available in the 2023-24 season, with a total of 188 balls being delivered to fans through Socios thus far throughout the tie-up, and is just one of the ways in which the pair will expand the partnership.

In addition, the two will look to further integrate Socios into the Serie A landscape through technical innovation such as the provision of QR codes that fans can scan on screen after goals in Serie A broadcasts worldwide that allow them access its auction information.

Socios is owned by the blockchain provider Chiliz. Its founder and president Alexandre Dreyfus stated of the continued benefit of Socios’ partnership with Serie A: “This partnership has played a strategic role in the journey of the Chiliz project and its vision for the future of fan engagement.

“Serie A and Socios.com have shown the sports industry some of the multiple ways in which blockchain can bring value to brands and fans.”

Alongside Serie A, Socios is partnered with several other high-profile soccer properties such as Spanish giants FC Barcelona and English side Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite this, it has been criticized by prominent fan groups, which accuse it of exploiting fans.