Latest News
Sorare raises a €40m Series A from Benchmark and Accel Partners to help fans own their football passion online
Sorare, the digital collectible football platform, announces that it has received €40 million in Series A financing, led by Benchmark, with additional funding from Accel and new business angels. The angels include Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, Vaynermedia CEO Gary Vaynerchuk, football players Antoine Griezmann and Rio Ferdinand. The financing brings Sorare’s total funding to €48 million. The capital will be used to fuel the growth of the community, accelerate the hiring of a world-class team and launch a mobile application.
Fantastically real collectibles
Football is a common denominator for more than 4 billion people globally but today, fans feel further away from the game they love than ever before. As we spend more time online, the need for connection has significantly shifted to digital experiences. Sports card collectibles have long helped fans celebrate their love of the game, and now they can experience a whole new world online. Sorare is leading the new era of online football fandom, where fans can live football moments and true connections like never before.
The company’s mission is to build “the game within the game” and to give fans the platform to celebrate, share and own their football passion. Through tradable digital cards, Sorare is designing a collective fantasy football experience where you can manage your favorite players and hone your passion to earn prizes. Anyone, anywhere, can connect with the beautiful game on Sorare.
Growing across the globe
The company, which is already profitable, has experienced an explosive 52% month-on-month growth over the past 12 months, going from €50K worth of cards traded on the platform in January 2020 to €3.5M in January 2021 across 120 countries.
More than 120 football clubs have launched their digital cards on Sorare, with all European Champions actively participating in the growth of the game. Partnerships with Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Juventus make Sorare the first digital collectible platform to offer cards from Europe’s top five league champions. The company’s ambition is to onboard the top 20 football leagues globally. This next-generation gaming experience allows leagues and clubs to expand their international brand by reaching an untapped audience of fans. Sorare is effectively opening up a new traceable and sustainable revenue stream for them.
Crypto’s next consumer application
Sorare collectibles are backed by blockchain technology to provide transparency and portability into other games. More importantly, the blockchain Ethereum enables the act of collecting in the digital space by creating digital scarcity through “non-fungible tokens” (NFT). It secures the passion of fans and creates a new level of trust and freedom for gamers who can freely trade their assets over the internet.
Sorare joins the ranks of culturally impactful companies and innovative brands in the Benchmark and Accel portfolio, including Twitter, Snap, Instagram and Spotify.
Nicolas Julia, CEO at Sorare explained: “Sorare was born from our love for football. We’re building a gaming experience fueled by passion where fans can connect with football and a global community. On Sorare, they can truly own the game. Today is a watershed moment – both for Sorare as a company and for our community – that will enable us to touch new markets and radically improve our product to become the game within the beautiful game.”
Peter Fenton, General Partner at Benchmark commented: “We’re thrilled to partner with Sorare as their lead Series A investor. The company combines the global passion for football collectibles with the excitement of real-world play in fantasy league tournaments. The founders early work in blockchain technology gave them the unique insight into a killer application for a new NFT – real players in real games creating enduring value for a digital artifact. Their explosive growth codifies the utility of these technologies in everyday life.”
Andrei Brasoveanu, Partner at Accel added: “Sitting at the intersection of fantasy football and sports collectibles, Sorare is revolutionizing the way fans across the world engage with and enjoy sports. In just a year, Sorare has built an incredible viral community and secured partnerships with more than 130 football clubs, including five European Champions. This impressive growth is a testament to the ambition and determination of Nicolas, Adrien and the entire Sorare team. We’re excited to join Sorare on the next stage of their journey and help build the leading digital sports collectibles platform worldwide!”
Christian Miele, Partner at e.ventures, commented: “We have been impressed by Nicolas’ and Adrien’s vision from day one. For the first time in human history a digital collectible holds a utility and can be used in a wide field of applications to attract soccer fanatics, collectors, and investors alike. This is why Sorare is best positioned to create one of the largest next-generation entertainment companies in the world.”
Gerard Piqué, Strategic Advisor at Sorare, explained: “As world football has shifted from local supporters to global fanbases, football fans are looking for new ways to be connected to the game, the players and other fans. Nicolas and the team have a unique gaming experience with real-world impact, bringing fantasy to reality. I’m looking forward to helping the team and the Sorare community connect with more football clubs and leagues.”
Sia Houchangnia, Partner at Seedcamp, concluded: “Sorare is a truly category-defining company and has the potential to become one of the biggest consumer tech success stories out of Europe. In less than 2 years since our pre-seed investment, the Sorare team has built from scratch a complex economy within an incredibly compelling game. Most importantly, Sorare can count on one of the most vibrant communities of early adopters we’ve ever seen. The growth has been astonishing and there’s an entire ecosystem of games and content being built around Sorare’s football cards. This is one of the most exciting businesses we’ve had the chance to work with and we are incredibly excited to have Benchmark and Accel joining the journey.”
Powered by WPeMatico
anti-quit challenge
HIPTHER Movement Launches the 2026 Run Challenge to Help Runners Stay Committed Beyond January
With the new year in full swing, HIPTHER Movement is kicking off its 2026 season with a fresh twist on its community-powered running challenges. From January 26 to April 5, the HIPTHER Movement: Anti-Quit Running Challenge will push runners to stay active and consistent well past the typical drop-off period in February.
Why This Challenge Matters
Every year, millions of runners lace up in January, but by early February, many resolutions fade. According to global fitness statistics, over 70% of runners abandon their goals before spring.
HIPTHER is taking a different approach — by creating a challenge designed specifically for this dropout window, promoting long-term consistency and fun competition in a supportive, global community.
A Two-Tier Challenge to Make It Fair and Fun
To make things even more exciting and inclusive, the 2026 running challenge introduces two separate leaderboards:
1. Tier 1 – “The Titans”
This is where the top 10 runners from previous editions will battle it out. These are the athletes who consistently top the weekly charts and push the boundaries of mileage. It’s a high-stakes leaderboard for elite-level fun and endurance.
2. Tier 2 – “The Momentum Makers”
The rest of the community – from weekend joggers to returning runners – will compete in their own leaderboard. This tier is about building momentum, staying motivated, and celebrating personal bests – no matter the distance.
“We’ve seen the same five to ten names dominate the top spots, which is amazing – but we wanted to give everyone else a space to thrive, especially newer members or those coming back from injury or burnout,” says Zoltan Tundik, Co-Founder of HIPTHER.
Challenge Period: January 26 – April 5, 2026
Participants can log their runs via Strava and automatically appear in the weekly leaderboard updates published across HIPTHER’s channels.
How to Join
-
Already a member of the HIPTHER Run Club on Strava? You’re automatically enrolled.
-
Not yet in the club? Join here – it’s free and open to all.
Weekly Highlights, Spotlights & Prizes
-
Weekly shout-outs for standout performances
-
Surprise giveaways for participation, not just podiums
-
Social media badges & stickers for personal sharing
-
Featured runners in the HIPTHER Talks Podcast and newsletters
No Dropouts This Time
The mission? To create a habit, not a spike. Runners who complete at least 8 weeks of the challenge will receive a virtual certificate and earn a chance to be featured in HIPTHER’s growing digital health and wellness community.
Don’t Worry, Cyclists: Your Time Comes This Summer
While this first 2026 challenge focuses on running, the HIPTHER Summer Ride-Off Challenge will return in June 2026, covering both road cycling and indoor sessions.
Final Word
Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just getting back into running, this is your chance to be part of something bigger. The HIPTHER Movement isn’t just about leaderboards – it’s about consistency, community, and crushing that February slump.
Follow HIPTHER Movement on:
Let’s start strong — and stay strong. See you on the leaderboard!
The post HIPTHER Movement Launches the 2026 Run Challenge to Help Runners Stay Committed Beyond January appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Online casino brand WinSpirit has received Special Recognition in the Most Innovative Online Casino Operator category at the European iGaming Awards, held on January 19 — a respected industry event celebrating excellence and innovation across the global iGaming sector.
Since launching in 2022, WinSpirit has rapidly gained attention for its dynamic approach to product development, player engagement, and platform growth. The brand blends innovative tools with entertainment-driven experiences, earning recognition from both users and the wider industry.
Over the past year, WinSpirit has introduced interactive formats like WinSpirit Stories and Threads, expanded its real-time Gift Shop loyalty system, and continued to invest in smart personalisation features. This has contributed to significant growth across key areas, including retention, session frequency, and VIP activity.
The award adds to the brand’s growing list of accolades, which already includes Rising Star (SBC Awards), Voice of the People (Casino Guru Awards), and World’s Best Online Casino (World Casino Awards). WinSpirit also maintains top-tier player ratings across major review platforms, including 4.6/5 on Trustpilot and 8.9/10 on AskGamblers.
With this Special Recognition from the European iGaming Awards, WinSpirit further reinforces its position as one of the most innovative and dynamic brands in modern online gaming — driven by rapid evolution and a clear player-first vision.
Casino Industry News
WinSpirit receives Special Recognition as Most Innovative Online Casino Operator
WinSpirit, the rapidly ascending online casino brand, has been awarded Special Recognition as the Most Innovative Online Casino Operator at the prestigious European iGaming Awards. The ceremony, held on January 19 in Barcelona, brought together the global iGaming elite to celebrate excellence, technical evolution, and industry-leading innovation.
Since its market debut in 2022, WinSpirit has carved out a distinct identity by prioritizing dynamic product development and immersive player engagement. This latest recognition highlights the brand’s successful efforts to merge cutting-edge technology with entertainment-driven user experiences.
Redefining Player Interaction
The award specifically acknowledges WinSpirit’s aggressive roadmap over the past twelve months. Key milestones that caught the judges’ attention include:
-
Interactive Content Formats: The launch of WinSpirit Stories and Threads, which bring a social-media-inspired engagement layer to the gaming platform.
-
Loyalty Evolution: The expansion of its real-time Gift Shop loyalty system, rewarding players with tangible value in a seamless, instant-access format.
-
Smart Personalization: Continued investment in AI-driven personalization features that tailor the gaming environment to individual player preferences.
These innovations have driven measurable success for the brand, with WinSpirit reporting significant growth in player retention, session frequency, and activity within its VIP tiers.
A Growing Legacy of Excellence
This Special Recognition is the latest addition to a mounting trophy cabinet for the brand. WinSpirit’s previous accolades include:
-
Rising Star (SBC Awards)
-
Voice of the People (Casino Guru Awards)
-
World’s Best Online Casino (World Casino Awards)
Beyond industry awards, the brand maintains exceptional standing with the players themselves, boasting a 4.6/5 rating on Trustpilot and an 8.9/10 on AskGamblers.
As WinSpirit moves into the remainder of 2026, the company reaffirms its “player-first” vision, positioning itself as a primary driver of the next generation of digital gaming.
The post WinSpirit receives Special Recognition as Most Innovative Online Casino Operator appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Austria6 days agoEU Court Ruling on Online Gambling Liability: Players Can Sue Foreign Operators’ Directors Under Their Home Country Law (Case C-77/24 Wunner)
-
Latest News6 days ago
SKIP THE QUEUE WITH THE MIDNITE SHUTTLE: MIDNITE TEAMS UP WITH SNOOKER LEGEND TO OFFER FANS A FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE FROM ALLY PALLY STATION
-
Continent 8 Technologies6 days ago
Continent 8 and CEO Michael Tobin claim number one spot in GamblingIQ’s global ‘Security 10’ rankings
-
000x7 days ago
Pragmatic Play Sweetens Slots with Sugar Rush Super Scatter and Massive 50,000x Wins
-
10 Alebrijes Eternal6 days ago
Amusnet Releases “10 Alebrijes Eternal” Slot
-
CGCC6 days ago
ADVISORY: ILLEGAL GAMBLING OPERATION USING FORGED COMMISSION CREDENTIALS
-
Latest News7 days ago
XSOLLA LAUNCHES MERCADO PAGO IN URUGUAY GIVING DEVELOPERS ACCESS TO 60M+ ACTIVE USERS
-
BetCity.nl6 days ago
Bragg Gaming Group Signs Deal with SuomiVeto
