“We are very excited to welcome FC Porto, the first European football team to enter Upland’s Metaverse.” This is how Dirk Lueth, co-founder and CEO of Upland, welcomed FC Porto to Metaverse.

FC Porto signed a partnership with Upland, a platform that, in a game format, allows trading addresses mirrored in the real world in Metaverse.

To put it simply, Upland is similar to the famous board game Monopoly, but in Metaverse, a 3D online universe concept that mirrors the real world, combining several virtual environments and allowing users to work, meet, play and socialise in these environments. The Metaverse allows for a kind of online “second life”, but designed after the real world, meaning it’s a 3D virtual version of the world we all live in.

However, because of this parallelism to the real world, the Metaverse does not yet fully exist, and is being created little by little. Some platforms, such as Upland, are offering people the closest possible experience of the Metaverse.

For the establishment of FC Porto, a city of Porto will be created in the Metaverse, as well as the Estádio do Dragão or the airport. Users will be able to acquire properties in the game that actually exist in the real world, using Blockchain technology to ensure reliability and transparency. A system already well-known by those dealing in the world of cryptocurrencies.

These are actually the preferred form of trading in the Metaverse. Upland’s own NFTs will be created, which can be acquired or earned through game mechanics and will be the “currency” to be used in Upland, to trade properties.

The first stage of FC Porto’s implementation in Upland will take place already this season.

“Football is a way of life. People eat, sleep and breathe thinking of football. For the blue and white fans, bringing that passion to the Metaverse is an unparalleled opportunity to deepen the connection to the club”, Dirk Lueth added.

On the FC Porto side, Marketing Director, Tiago Gouveia, stated: “To say this is one more step is too little. This is not just any step. Being the first European football club to set up in the Metaverse, through Upland, with our city, stadium, players and fans launches our brand to a very high level in this regard.”

“We are always on the lookout for new opportunities and we can’t miss the Metaverse. The proof that we won’t miss it is this decision we are making”, Tiago pointed out.

Pedro Albuquerque, Head of International at FC Porto, added: “The international growth of FC Porto is made at several levels. To think of the Metaverse as the future is a mistake. It is the present. It is here knocking on our door and we want to be on the right side, as always.”

“This decision, also because we are the first, is exciting and I believe it will bring our fans unique opportunities for interaction, literally creating a new world filled with blue and white passion,” he concluded.

Upland is available as free download for iOS, Android and the web and can be played anywhere in the world.