India’s premier football league, Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) on Wednesday announced a landmark partnership with London-based Terra Virtua Limited to launch its exclusive non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as digital collectibles ahead of the 2021-22 season.

Launched in 2017, Terra Virtua is an entertainment-focused collectibles platform. Using blockchain technology, it provides utility by allowing collectors of digital assets to display and interact with their virtual goods in Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and in 3D on PCs. Leveraging the latest in mobile and gaming technologies, their mission is to engage and connect fan-based user communities and turbo-charge fandom.

Terra Virtua, the world’s first fully immersive social, digital collectibles platform, currently offers themed digital collectibles across a range of popular movies, television shows and comic books. This partnership with the Hero ISL is Terra Virtua’s first foray into the dynamic sports ecosystem.

The deal sees Hero ISL become country’s first sports property to launch a digital collectibles series, leading the Indian sports industry in the fast-growing NFT market. This is also Terra Virtua’s first foray into the dynamic sports ecosystem.

Under the licensed partnership, Terra Virtua will create unique digital collectibles featuring the Hero Indian Super League and all its 11 clubs. Since the inception of the Hero ISL in 2014, the league’s many memorable moments, player cards, in-match highlights and more will be made available for fans to purchase and trade as interactive memorabilia through Terra Virtua’s unique marketplace.     

Head of Digital Hoshedar Gundevia said: “Digital collectibles have been one of the most talked about fan engagement avenues in 2021, and Hero ISL being a young league would like to keep pace with the demands of India’s millennial and Gen Z audience segments.

“We are extremely excited to be working with Terra Virtua to remain at the forefront of the next wave of innovation around fan engagement. Digital collectibles offer innovative opportunities for the league and its clubs to connect with the growing Indian football market and attract newer audiences.”    

Terra Virtua CEO and co-founder Gary Bracey commented: “This is a big day for the future of Indian and international sport. The partnership signals a fundamental shift in the way sports fans will be able to engage with their favourite sports teams going forward, allowing them to collect and trade Interactive player merchandise and dynamic digital memorabilia with fellow fans.

“The partnership also demonstrates strong, continued growth in the NFT market, reinforcing that digital collectibles are the future of fan merchandise and digital art.”

Information on the collectibles available will be announced ahead of Hero ISL 2021, starting on 19th November with the match between ATK Mohun Bagan and Kerala Blasters FC at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda (Goa).