Fan Engagement Goes Digital: Cricket Boards Launch NFT Ticketing Trials

Last year, the International Cricket Council (ICC) teamed up with FanCraze to introduce digital collectibles that allow fans to own and trade cricket moments as NFTs. Cricket Australia has also done the same thing, and that only shows how major cricket boards are starting to take NFTs or digital ownership seriously.

Today, they’re also going a step further with early trials of NFT-based ticketing systems. But what exactly is NFT ticketing, and how does it differ from NFTs like digital cards or “moments” fans can own/buy, or trade? Will NFT ticketing work for cricket? What do fans need to know about it? Here’s everything we know so far.

What is NFT Ticketing?

NFT ticketing is buying an upgraded ticket to cricket events. Instead of paper printouts or QR codes that are scanned at the entrance of a stadium or an event, fans get a non-fungible token  (NFT) as tickets. They can look like a regular ticket or could have complete graphics with match details, seat info, and maybe even animations or artwork (depending on how the organizer designs it).

These tickets are stored on a blockchain, and they’re unique, easily traceable, and harder to counterfeit.

Unlike collectible NFTs, which are usually static and made for trading or collecting, NFT tickets come with utility. Fans can use them to get into stadiums, watch matches, or access exclusive cricket events. Some tickets may also unlock post-match perks, like limited edition content.

Now, this isn’t exactly just about using the blockchain technology to improve convenience. Cricket boards are also using this to cut down on scalping, tighten security, and improve the overall fan experience. The goal is to combine access with digital ownership, and that’s something that hasn’t been possible with traditional ticketing.

Are There Other Sports With NFT Ticketing?

Cricket isn’t the first sport to try NFT ticketing. Football clubs, NBA teams, and even motorsport events have already tested this technology. Some clubs in Europe offered NFT matchday passes that doubled as collectibles fans could keep or resell after the game. In the NBA, certain tickets came with access to highlight reels, merch drops, or exclusive content.

Outside stadiums, concerts, and festivals have also used NFT tickets for mobile convenience, to control resale, and prevent fraud. It’s not mainstream yet, but there’s enough activity to say it’s no longer just experimental.

This shift toward digital experiences mirrors what we’ve already seen with online betting apps in India, where fans have quickly adopted mobile-first platforms. Cricket boards likely watched how these trials played out before deciding to run their tests.

What Makes Cricket Great for NFT Ticketing?

Cricket has one of the biggest fan bases in the world. When tickets drop for a high-stakes match, they sell out fast, and that’s usually followed by a wave of scalping, overpriced resales, and duplicate tickets floating around. That’s exactly the kind of mess NFT ticketing aims to clean up.

It also helps that cricket already has a strong collectibles culture. Cricket fans also love to collect signed bats, player cards, jerseys, and match stubs. So, having a digital version of a ticket that doubles as a keepsake doesn’t feel out of place at all.

Now, there are no reported cricket events yet that allow fans to buy NFT tickets. However, cricket boards have already dabbled in using NFTs in general with platforms like FanCraze and Rario.

It’s worth noting that Rario has faced challenges in early 2024, and they ended up shutting down their products. They did announce that they will have a new platform that’ll focus on cricket-based NFT games instead. To also assist those who have Rario cricket NFTs, they have already initiated a buyback program in January 2025. They also said that loyal users will get more perks.

That said, even if Rario held back in NFT products in the past, they didn’t completely shut it down. This still signals that there is a market for NFTs in cricket, and it’s likely why cricket boards are considering NFT ticketing.

Final Words

Right now, it’s hard to say whether NFT ticketing will blow up, but the potential is there. Countries like India and Australia, where cricket is popular, are becoming more tech-savvy, and they’re showing interest in owning NFTs. It can’t be denied that NFT ticketing is also a fun and unique way to watch cricket matches live. They’re a big leap from QR codes and printed stubs, so serious fans can surely easily get into it.