Manchester City, one of the world's most renowned football clubs, has embarked on a groundbreaking journey into the realm of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and digital collectibles through a newly announced multi-year partnership with Quidd, a leading platform for digital collectibles. This collaboration aims to unveil an exclusive collection of Manchester City-themed NFT trading cards, immersing fans in a unique and innovative experience with football memorabilia.

Quidd will serve as the exclusive platform for fans to acquire these one-of-a-kind digital assets, unlocking a host of special benefits, including access to merchandise, hospitality tickets, and unforgettable experiences, all designed to make fans feel genuinely valued and connected to the club.

Michael Bramlage, the chief executive of Quidd, expressed the significance of the partnership, stating, "This partnership signals our intent to revolutionize the world of sport collectibles, so it makes sense for Quidd to align with Manchester City, the most forward-thinking and progressive soccer club on Earth."

Tom Boyle, Vice-President of global partnerships marketing and operations at City Football Group, echoed the excitement, highlighting the collaboration's potential to transform the traditional football pastime of collecting cards and memorabilia in the fast-growing tech world. "We're excited to help transform the traditional football pastime of cards and collectibles in a new digital age alongside Quidd, enabling us to further connect with our fans across the globe," Boyle added.

The partnership's inaugural offering will feature over 200 bespoke player cards, which will be released on May 2 through the state-of-the-art Quidd marketplace. To commemorate the launch, the first 10,000 Cityzens, the affectionate term for Manchester City fans, will receive two free packs and exclusive access to additional "For The Fans" packs within 72 hours of release.

Cityzens who unlock digital rewards through the Quidd packs will also have the opportunity to participate in real-world events and purchase opportunities, including official Manchester City merchandise and hospitality tickets, as well as winning "money-can't-buy experiences," such as an exclusive opportunity to watch a first team training session at the City Football Academy. This initiative engages fans in a novel digital collecting experience and rewards their loyalty with exclusive perks and privileges.

Manchester City's partnership with Quidd builds upon previous initiatives that have garnered much attention in the sports and cryptocurrency spaces. From commemorating historic moments in the club's illustrious history to celebrating women's football and empowering fans to participate in exclusive NFT drops, Manchester City continues to push the boundaries of innovation and strategic partnerships in the sports industry.

This collaboration adds to Manchester City's impressive roster of global sponsors, including top-line partners such as airline Etihad Airways and sportswear manufacturer Puma. These partnerships have significantly contributed to the club's record revenue during the 2022–23 Premier League season.

Notably, this collaboration represents Quidd's second partnership with a professional football team for the release of themed trading cards, following a similar multi-year partnership with Newcastle United last month, marking the football club's first venture into digital collectibles.

Manchester City's presence in the NFT space is already well-established, with previous initiatives such as partnering with PUMA to release an NFT drop commemorating the tenth anniversary of its first Premier League triumph and launching the "Same City, Same Passion" NFT collection celebrating women's football.

Additionally, OKX, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, signed a $70 million deal to become Manchester City's official sleeve sponsor, further solidifying the club's position at the forefront of mass adoption and innovation in the cryptocurrency and Web3 spaces.

Through these initiatives, Manchester City is creating new avenues for fan interaction, revenue generation, and engagement, positioning itself as a trailblazer in the rapidly evolving digital landscape of sports and entertainment.