In a groundbreaking move that is set to revolutionize the cricketing world, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has partnered with NEAR Foundation to unveil an innovative blockchain-powered fan engagement app for the highly anticipated 2023 Cricket World Cup in India. This visionary collaboration promises to connect hundreds of millions of cricket enthusiasts across the globe through the power of Web3 technology. In an exclusive interview with Cointelegraph, ICC’s Head of Digital, Chris Donovan, and NEAR CEO, Finn Bradshaw, shared insights into the exciting new app, which aims to enhance fan engagement before, during, and after the matches at this prestigious global event.

The Genesis of Web3 in Cricket

The ICC’s venture into the world of Web3 began with the creation of FanCraze in 2022, an NFT platform that allowed fans to own highlights of historic moments from various ICC tournaments. This pioneering move laid the foundation for future endeavors in the world of Web3. Chris Donovan, speaking about FanCraze, stated, “We loved the community that grew around that product, so we have been looking for other use cases that help strengthen our fans’ love of cricket.”

A Game-Changing Fan Engagement App

The fan engagement app for the 2023 Cricket World Cup is set to redefine how cricket enthusiasts experience the game. Fans will have the opportunity to participate in prediction games that require strategic selections for matches during the competition. These selections will earn fans points based on their accuracy in predicting match outcomes, and these points will contribute to leaderboards and rewards throughout the tournament.

A Shared Vision for Web3 Technology

The collaboration between the ICC and NEAR is driven by a shared vision of how Web3 technology can significantly enhance digital experiences for fans. Donovan emphasized that NEAR’s Blockchain Operating System’s interoperability with other networks played a pivotal role in this partnership, stating, “A big part of that is about creating products with greater interoperability across blockchains.” While NEAR is a layer-1 blockchain, its infrastructure is designed to support communication, smart contracts, and transactions with other blockchain ecosystems. Finn Bradshaw noted that this interoperability feature could prove invaluable as the partnership continues to explore new use cases until December 2025, stating, “The ICC is only focused on working with a single layer-1 blockchain partner for now, but they are aware of the Blockchain Operating System’s interoperability capacity.”

Blockchain Technology Meets Cricket in India

The combination of blockchain technology and cricket, particularly in a cricket-crazed nation like India, presents a unique opportunity to showcase the potential of blockchain and Web3 technology. Bradshaw believes that hosting the Cricket World Cup in India offers a compelling platform to demonstrate the real-world applications of blockchain technology, stating, “In partnering with the most popular sport on the sub-continent, we expect it to be a showcase for the ecosystem’s technology and partners in demonstrating what a mass-market web3 application looks like.”

Extensive Research and Unveiling Dates

The NEAR Foundation’s business development team collaborated closely with the ICC for four months to research and identify use cases for the Cricket World Cup. The tournament is set to kick off on October 5th, with the final scheduled for November 19th, promising an exciting journey for cricket fans worldwide.

In conclusion, the ICC and NEAR Foundation’s partnership is poised to reshape how cricket fans engage with their favorite sport. Through the innovative fan engagement app powered by blockchain and Web3 technology, fans can look forward to a more immersive, interactive, and rewarding cricketing experience. As the world eagerly anticipates the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India, this collaboration stands as a testament to the transformative potential of blockchain technology in the realm of sports and entertainment.