FIFA adopts Avalanche blockchain ticketing to curb scalping

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup progresses, the tournament is serving as a major test for a new blockchain-based ticketing system designed to combat fraud and scalping. FIFA, in partnership with the Avalanche network and technology provider Modex, is operating the initiative on a dedicated Avalanche Layer 1 blockchain.

The system utilizes two distinct digital assets: the Right-to-Buy (RTB) and the Right-to-Ticket (RTT). An RTB grants a fan priority access to purchase a specific match ticket before it becomes available to the general public. These RTBs can be acquired through FIFA's digital collectibles platform, FIFA Collect, and traded on secondary markets. When a holder decides to attend, the RTB is converted into an RTT, which is then used to purchase the official match ticket through FIFA's established ticketing channels.

The core objective is to move secondary market activity into an environment controlled by FIFA, rather than on third-party platforms like StubHub or SeatGeek. An official from Ava Labs, the primary developer behind Avalanche, compared the traditional problem to high-profile concert ticket sales, where automated bots often buy up inventory and drive up resale...