The Hong Kong Rugby Union today announced a partnership with NuArca Labs, a leading NFT innovator that powers experiences for everyday fans, to launch a digital trading card marketplace for the storied Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens tournament. Firmly established as the world’s premier event of its kind and one of the most popular annual sporting events in Asia, the Hong Kong Sevens attracts some of the world’s greatest rugby players and thousands of fans from every corner of the globe.
A first for the tournament, the new Hong Kong Sevens NFT platform will launch on November 2. It will feature digital collectibles such as player packs and other digital experiences that fans can collect and trade. Fans who snap up the collectibles will be in to win experiences, tickets and merchandise.
“We are excited to enter the world of digital collectibles and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) with American-based technology leader NuArca Labs. We have exciting plans for fan, player and sponsor engagement and we’re confident that NuArca Labs can help bring them to life. As an organization, the HKRU has been driven by innovation. We’re looking forward to embracing web3, the metaverse and blockchain technology and the opportunities this brings for the sports and entertainment industry,” says Bryan Rennie, General Manager of Commercial and Business Development at the HKRU.
“NuArca Labs is committed to helping grow rugby’s footprint around the globe to encourage fans to engage more deeply with the sport. Rugby fans are amongst the most passionate on the planet and we’re bringing that energy to them with the new trading card marketplace,” says Todd Cooper, CEO, NuArca Labs.
In addition to the Hong Kong Sevens, NuArca Labs is the official NFT partner for Major League Rugby, Rugby League World Cup 2021, Hull FC, and numerous other sports rights holders.
“The Hong Kong Rugby Union partnership signals that the momentum is building for rugby fans worldwide,” says William Lai, Director of Business Development, NuArca Labs. “We’re looking forward to building the next wave of fan engagement together.”
NuArca Labs' white label platform makes it easy to enjoy NFTs through simple transactions that everyone can understand but based on robust, unique blockchain technology in the background. Fans can use the technology they already have to get closer to the game. NFTs can be purchased with a credit card and no digital wallet setup is required. The company makes it exciting, simple, safe and fun for fans to own a piece of the action.
