FC Barcelona Launches Barça Fan Lab With Cardano-Based Digital Credentials.

Roger Hampel

Image: FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona has launched Barça Fan Lab, a new digital fan platform developed with technology partner Andamio using the Cardano blockchain, as the club experiments with Web3 infrastructure for fan participation and recognition.

The platform will connect with BarçaID and allow supporters to complete learning pathways and community activities before receiving verifiable digital credentials and access tokens stored in an individual Cardano Web3 portfolio.

The project is part of Project Catalyst Fund 13, Cardano’s community-driven grant programme.

BarçaID Connects Fans to Web3 Portfolio FC Barcelona

Barça Fan Lab is designed around FC Barcelona’s existing BarçaID system.

After accessing the platform, users will be able to create a Cardano-based digital portfolio associated with their profile. This will be used to receive and store credentials and access tokens earned through participation.

The initial model focuses on learning and community engagement. Fans will move through different content pathways, complete activities and receive digital recognition for their participation.

Barcelona said the longer-term objective is to develop a scalable participation model that could be used across its global supporter community.

Four Areas Cover Club Culture and Web3 Applications

Barça Fan Lab is structured around four areas.

The first covers FC Barcelona’s history, identity and values, including the meaning of “Més que un club”.

A second focuses on sustainability, inclusion, women’s empowerment, technology and responsible digital innovation.

The third examines how physical communities can be connected with digital participation, while the fourth introduces practical Web3 applications around the club.

Those potential applications include digital credentials and collectibles, blockchain-based loyalty and recognition systems, fan participation mechanisms, digital portfolios, NFTs and smart contracts.

The club’s announcement presents these as areas for learning and experimentation within the platform, rather than confirming the immediate launch of each individual use case.

Andamio Provides Technology Infrastructure

Andamio is the technology partner behind Barça Fan Lab and provides the platform used to build the participation experience.

The infrastructure is based on Cardano, with blockchain technology used to support verifiable credentials and other Web3 functionality.

The project also receives support through Cardano Project Catalyst Fund 13, a grant programme through which proposed projects are publicly presented, assessed by the Cardano community and put to a vote.