It’s the second grand slam of the year for tennis fans, and following the Australian Open’s venture into the metaverse, the French Open in Paris (known as Roland-Garros to the local Parisian) is launching ‘RG Game, Seat & Match’. 

Marketed as a new fan experience, the collection harnesses polygon blockchain to issue 5,000 NFTs. Buyers get to be the owner of a uniquely designed seat at a virtual 3D reproduction of the world’s most prestigious clay court, Philippe-Chatrier. In addition, the seat allows fans to support their favourite players by changing its colour, interacting with a digital community of fans, accessing events and playing to win exclusive perks (including VIP tickets to the 2023 tournament). It’s an opportunity to develop an entirely new relationship with a beloved sport for hardcore fans. 

It’s a relative first for the sport, where the fan experience has traditionally relied on being live at center stage, we are now seeing the most unexpected industries embracing web3 technology as a means of growth. 

Amidst a world of hype around NFTs and discourse on whether it’s here to last, examples like this are a reminder of how innovative web3 technology can be used to redefine communities in the most unexpected of places. Not just that, but with the sale of the 5,000 NFTs, over €1 million have been earned. That says something…