In a bold step forward at the intersection of sports, technology, and digital identity, OKX, a leading Web3 technology company and official Training Kit Partner of Manchester City, has launched an innovative interactive avatar campaign with the Premier League powerhouse. This new initiative invites fans worldwide to step into the metaverse and express their loyalty in a whole new way—through personalized digital avatars dressed in exclusive Manchester City training kits featuring OKX branding.
The experience is now live on playforthecity.com, a dedicated platform where fans can create their own unique avatars in seconds. These aren’t just digital portraits—they’re interoperable identities designed to be used across more than 4,000 metaverse games and applications, empowering fans to represent their team beyond the physical stadium and into virtual worlds.
👉 Create your Manchester City x OKX avatar and enter the metaverse today.
A Metaverse Experience Inspired by the City Spirit
To celebrate the campaign’s launch, a high-energy hero video debuted during Manchester City’s home match against Arsenal—a pivotal clash between two top Premier League contenders. The cinematic spot features larger-than-life avatars of star players like Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Phil Foden towering over Manchester’s iconic skyline as fans stream toward the Etihad Stadium.
The visuals blend real-world energy with digital creativity, symbolizing how football fandom is evolving in the Web3 era. The message is clear: whether you're in the stands or online, you can "Play for the City"—and now, you can do it with a digital twin that reflects your passion.
By using the hashtag #playforthecity when sharing their avatars on social media, fans automatically enter a prize draw for exclusive Manchester City and OKX merchandise, including limited-edition kits, VIP matchday experiences, and digital collectibles.
Powered by Collaboration: OKX, Manchester City, and Yahoo
This immersive experience is the result of a powerful collaboration between OKX, Manchester City, and Yahoo, combining expertise in blockchain technology, elite sports branding, and large-scale digital content distribution.
Yahoo leveraged its premium content creation team and advanced technology stack to produce the campaign’s hero video and distribute it across multiple channels. These include digital out-of-home (DOOH) displays, mobile and tablet video ads, display banners, and native content formats on connected TV platforms—ensuring maximum visibility among the club’s global fanbase.
Working alongside Ready Player Me, a leading cross-game avatar platform, Yahoo helped build the augmented reality (AR) infrastructure that powers the avatar customization experience. This integration ensures seamless functionality and broad compatibility across metaverse ecosystems.
What Experts Are Saying
Haider Rafique, Global Chief Marketing Officer at OKX, emphasized the campaign’s role in advancing Web3 adoption:
“The metaverse experiences we’ve been developing with Manchester City represent a world of exciting new opportunities. Your avatar is your passport to these experiences. This campaign is another example of how we’re delivering on the promise of Web3—to enhance fan engagement and help people embrace what we see as a new way to the internet.”
Gavin Johnson, Media Director at City Football Group, highlighted the fan-centric vision behind the project:
“We’re proud to launch this exciting campaign with OKX and Yahoo. By bringing together our collective strengths, we’re offering fans around the globe a fresh, engaging way to connect with Manchester City. We hope supporters enjoy this next chapter in digital fan interaction.”
Josh Partridge, Head of EMEA at Yahoo, underscored the importance of immersive storytelling:
“Our goal was simple: deliver a fun, engaging, and immersive experience that lets fans interact with their favorite team through digital touchpoints—whether in the stadium, across the city, or in virtual spaces. With Yahoo’s ability to create premium content and distribute it at scale, we’re helping deepen digital connections between clubs and fans like never before.”
👉 Explore how Web3 is transforming sports fandom—start your journey here.
Building on a Legacy of Innovation
This avatar campaign is not OKX and Manchester City’s first foray into the metaverse. It follows previous successful collaborations within the OKX Collective metaverse, including:
- A virtual training session with Rúben Dias, where fans learned defensive techniques in an immersive 3D environment.
- A tactical masterclass led by İlkay Gündoğan, offering insights into midfield playmaking through interactive simulations.
Looking ahead, May will bring even more exclusive virtual experiences featuring fan favorites Jack Grealish and Alex Greenwood, giving supporters unprecedented access to players beyond traditional media formats.
The Role of Avatars in Modern Fandom
Digital avatars are no longer just avatars—they’re digital identities. In the context of sports fandom, they serve as:
- Symbols of allegiance in virtual environments
- Entry tickets to exclusive online events
- Tools for social engagement across platforms
- Bridges between real-world passion and digital expression
With over 50 million users trusting OKX for crypto trading and Web3 exploration, this campaign aligns perfectly with the company’s mission: to make blockchain technology accessible, engaging, and useful for everyday people.
The OKX Wallet, in particular, plays a key role in this ecosystem. Beyond trading cryptocurrencies, it enables users to manage NFTs, participate in GameFi projects, explore DeFi protocols, and now—store and use their official Manchester City avatars.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How do I create my Manchester City x OKX avatar?
A: Visit playforthecity.com to customize your avatar in seconds. No account or download required.
Q: Can I use my avatar outside this campaign?
A: Yes! Your avatar is compatible with over 4,000 metaverse apps and games via Ready Player Me integration.
Q: Is there a cost to participate?
A: No. Creating an avatar and entering the prize draw is completely free.
Q: How are winners selected for the prize draw?
A: Winners are chosen randomly from all participants who share their avatar using #playforthecity on public social media.
Q: What is Web3’s role in sports fan engagement?
A: Web3 enables deeper interaction through digital ownership, exclusive access, and personalized experiences—like owning a piece of your team’s digital world.
Q: Is this available to fans outside the UK?
A: Yes. The campaign is global and accessible to fans anywhere with an internet connection.
👉 Join millions exploring the future of digital identity and fandom.
Final Thoughts: Where Sports Meet the Future
The OKX x Manchester City avatar campaign exemplifies how forward-thinking brands are redefining fan engagement. By merging football passion with Web3 innovation, they’re not just predicting the future—they’re building it.
As digital identities become as important as physical ones, campaigns like this offer a glimpse into a world where every supporter can have a presence—on the pitch, in the stands, and across the metaverse.
Whether you're a lifelong Blue or new to the club, now is the time to claim your place in City’s digital legacy. Play for the City. Represent in the metaverse. Be part of what’s next.
Keywords: OKX, Manchester City, metaverse avatar, Web3 fan experience, digital identity, crypto sports partnership, interactive football campaign