Sports cryptocurrency transactions surge by approximately 20% to surpass £400 million
Cryptocurrency investment in sports organizations has experienced a 20% surge, with total spending surpassing £400 million. This escalation in spending by blockchain-oriented companies approximates the 2022-23 peak of £508 million, as per SportQuake's data.
Of the new crypto sponsorship deals, nearly two-thirds—20 out of 34—are in football, followed closely by Formula 1, with annual income from the latter amounting to $174 million. This spending trend, however, is predominantly outside the United States, as President Trump's crypto policy stance remains unconfirmed.
Given the forthcoming voluntary betting sponsor ban for the 2026/27 season in the Premier League, there are speculations that the battle for the front-of-shirt spots may shift towards crypto exchanges.
Crypto.com continues to lead in spending, investing a reported £163 million across the current season. Coming close are Coinbase with £64 million, OKX with £59 million, and Gate.io with £45 million.
Thetop 10 spenders are rounded out by BingX with £11 million. Crypto.com's significant deals with the Uefa Champions League and Formula 1 account for substantial investments, while OKX's partnership with McLaren and Gate.io's arrangement with Red Bull reflect sustained interest in Formula 1.
Industry expert Matt House, the chief at SportQuake, declared, "The bulls are back. The crypto winter of 2022/23 seems a distant memory as crypto sports sponsorship spending rebounds towards all-time highs." He attributed this resurgence to football and non-US investment, stating, "All the growth is from football and non-US spend as brands invest in global sponsorships and international markets while they wait to see President Trump's US crypto policies."
House further noted that Gate.io's aggressive foray into sports, which saw zero investment at the start, rose to £53 million in just 12 months. Plus, Kraken expanded its portfolio with sleeve sponsorships for Tottenham Hotspur, Atletico Madrid, and RB Leipzig, in addition to their partnership with Williams F1.
As the ban on betting companies purchasing the Premier League's front-of-shirt inventory takes effect from the 2026/27 season, market signals suggest that crypto exchanges are likely to become major front-of-shirt buyers. However, the exact influence of President Trump's crypto policies on sponsorship deals remains to be seen. As the administration continues to express its support for the crypto sector, it is anticipated that the industry could gain increased legitimacy, resulting in more significant long-term deals.
- The surge in cryptocurrency investment in sports organizations, particularly in football, has led to a significant increase in spending, exceeding £400 million.
- Formula 1 follows closely behind football in terms of crypto-related sponsorship deals, with an annual income of $174 million.
- Due to President Trump's uncertain crypto policy stance, the spending trend in cryptocurrency investment in sports organizations is predominantly outside the United States.
- In the Premier League, given the forthcoming voluntary betting sponsor ban for the 2026/27 season, there are speculations that the battle for the front-of-shirt spots may shift towards crypto exchanges.
