FC Barcelona and Real Madrid file a joint trademark application for the metaverse

Two of Spain’s biggest soccer clubs, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, have applied to receive trademarks for certain elements of the metaverse. The clubs have submitted an application that encompasses various activities and services they can conduct in the metaverse, including a crypto-currency wallet and the ability to sell virtual merchandise.

Real Madrid and Barcelona interested in the Metaverse

Sports teams are now moving their activities to the metaverse, in order to create new sources of profit but also to improve feedback and their relationship with fans. Recently, two of Spain’s biggest soccer clubs, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, filed a joint trademark application to offer several services in the metaverse.

The trademark filing indicates that both clubs may be interested in offering their own crypto-currency wallets. The application also hints at possible metaverse gaming software, as it refers to a “virtual reality software.“

The repository also refers to virtual garments, such as clothing, shoes and accessories.

Crypto Background

The cryptographic environment and the metaverse are not new to the two teams that filed the trademark applications. Both have been involved in cryptography and NFT projects before. Real Madrid has partner with Sorare, to allow it to offer collectibles of its players on Sorare’s NFT marketplace starting in 2020. After that, in 2021, the soccer team announced that it would issue Smart Tickets in the form of NFTs to its audience, in partnership with LAVA.

It’s official: Real Madrid C.F. joins Sorare! 🇪🇦

First Edition card sales are on auction now🚀

⚪⚪ Official digital @realmadrid cards, only on https://t.co/n4TzfPgh1G#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/wBw0QWuuys

– Sorare (@Sorare) December 17, 2020

FC Barcelona has been even more involved in the crypto-currency world, having issued its own fan token that allows users to have a vote in certain decisions regarding the club. In addition, FC Barcelona has declared NFT and the metaverse to be part of its expansion strategy, and launched Barca Studios, a new division to focus its products in these areas in March.

In addition, the club recently sold nearly a quarter of this new division to Socios.com, a fan engagement token company, for $100 million, in a deal to reshape the club’s strategies in the Web3 and metaverse space.