OKX and Manchester City Launch Interactive Avatar Campaign Featuring Top Players to Inspire Fans to “Play For the City”

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Manchester City x OKX: Step Into the Metaverse with Custom Avatars

In a bold move blending sports, technology, and fan engagement, OKX and Manchester City have launched an immersive metaverse campaign that invites fans to "Play For the City" like never before. The new interactive experience at playforthecity.com allows supporters to create personalized digital avatars wearing official Manchester City training kits featuring OKX branding—bridging the gap between real-world fandom and virtual identity.

This multi-channel campaign debuted during Manchester City’s high-stakes Premier League clash against Arsenal on April 26, marking a pivotal moment in the club’s digital evolution. At the heart of the activation is a cinematic hero video showcasing giant avatars of top Manchester City players roaming the streets of Manchester as fans stream toward the Etihad Stadium. The visuals are designed not just to promote the experience, but to inspire emotional connection and participation.

👉 Generate your own Manchester City avatar and step into the metaverse today.

Create, Share, and Win: A New Era of Fan Engagement

The playforthecity.com platform leverages cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) and avatar creation technology powered by Ready Player Me, enabling users to generate fully customizable 3D avatars in seconds. These avatars aren’t just digital collectibles—they’re functional identities that can be used across more than 4,000 games and metaverse applications, from virtual concerts to gaming worlds.

Fans who share their avatars on social media using the hashtag #playforthecity are automatically entered into a prize draw for exclusive Manchester City and OKX merchandise, including match tickets, signed jerseys, and limited-edition digital collectibles.

This level of interactivity reflects a broader shift in how sports organizations are leveraging Web3 to deepen fan loyalty. By giving supporters a personalized stake in the club’s digital ecosystem, Manchester City and OKX are redefining what it means to be part of a global fanbase.

Web3 in Action: Enhancing the Fan Experience

The collaboration underscores OKX’s ongoing commitment to building accessible Web3 experiences that go beyond trading and investment. As a leading Web3 technology company and Training Kit Partner of Manchester City, OKX continues to pioneer innovative ways for fans to interact with their favorite teams through digital identity, NFTs, and immersive content.

“The metaverse experiences we’ve been developing with Manchester City represent a whole world of exciting new opportunities, and your avatar grants you access to these,” said Haider Rafique, Global Chief Marketing Officer at OKX. “This campaign is another example of how Manchester City and OKX are delivering on the promise of Web3 to enhance the fan experience and help people get closer to what OKX considers ‘a new way to internet.’”

For fans unfamiliar with blockchain or digital wallets, the experience is designed to be intuitive and entry-level friendly—no crypto knowledge required. It serves as a gateway into the wider world of decentralized identity, digital ownership, and interactive entertainment.

Strategic Collaboration with Yahoo Powers Global Reach

The campaign was developed in partnership with Yahoo, which brought its premium content creation expertise and large-scale digital distribution network to amplify reach. From concept to execution, Yahoo helped produce the hero video and deploy it across digital out-of-home (DOOH) displays, mobile apps, tablets, and connected TV platforms.

“We had a clear brief – to offer fans a fun, engaging and immersive experience that gives them new ways to interact with the team and players through digital touchpoints,” said Josh Partridge, Head of EMEA at Yahoo. “Using Yahoo’s experience in producing premium quality digital content and distributing it at scale directly to the club’s target audience means we can help forge deeper connections on digital platforms.”

By combining Manchester City’s global brand power, OKX’s Web3 innovation, and Yahoo’s media muscle, the campaign achieves both breadth and depth—reaching millions while offering meaningful interaction.

👉 Discover how Web3 is transforming sports fandom—start your journey now.

Building on Past Success: A Growing Metaverse Presence

This latest initiative builds on a series of successful metaverse activations from OKX and Manchester City. Previous experiences included a virtual defensive masterclass with star defender Rúben Dias and a tactical deep dive led by midfielder İlkay Gündoğan within the OKX Collective metaverse.

Looking ahead, May will bring even more exclusive content, with virtual meetups featuring fan favorites Jack Grealish and Alex Greenwood. These events aim to offer intimate access to players while encouraging fans to explore the evolving landscape of digital engagement.

Core Keywords Driving Discovery:

These keywords naturally reflect user search intent around sports tech, digital collectibles, and immersive fan experiences—ensuring strong SEO performance without compromising readability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do I need cryptocurrency or a wallet to create an avatar?
A: No. The playforthecity.com experience is completely free and does not require any cryptocurrency, wallet setup, or prior knowledge of Web3.

Q: Where can I use my custom Manchester City avatar?
A: Your avatar is compatible with over 4,000 games and apps that support Ready Player Me avatars, including popular metaverse platforms like Meta Horizon Worlds, Roblox (via plugins), and various VR environments.

Q: Is this campaign only available to UK fans?
A: No. The experience is accessible worldwide. Fans from any country can create avatars and participate in the #playforthecity social media contest.

Q: How are winners selected for the prize draw?
A: Winners are chosen randomly from all valid entries—social media posts using #playforthecity that include a link or image of the created avatar.

Q: What is OKX’s role with Manchester City?
A: OKX is the club’s official Training Kit Partner and leads collaborative efforts in Web3 innovation, including NFT drops, metaverse events, and digital fan engagement campaigns.

Q: Will there be future metaverse events with players?
A: Yes. Upcoming activations in May will feature Jack Grealish and Alex Greenwood, offering fans exclusive virtual access and interactive sessions.

👉 Join the next wave of football innovation—enter the metaverse with OKX today.

The Future of Sports Fandom Is Digital

As boundaries between physical and digital fandom blur, initiatives like the Manchester City x OKX avatar campaign signal a transformative era. Clubs are no longer just selling jerseys—they’re offering identities, experiences, and communities in virtual spaces where fans live increasingly significant parts of their lives.

With over 50 million users trusting OKX for crypto trading and Web3 exploration, the platform is uniquely positioned to lead this shift. Its partnerships with elite sports organizations—from McLaren Formula 1 to the Tribeca Festival—highlight a strategic vision centered on accessibility, creativity, and long-term fan value.

For Manchester City supporters, “playing for the city” now extends far beyond matchday. It’s about representing your team in virtual stadiums, gaming lobbies, and social spaces—with a digital identity that’s unmistakably yours.

As Web3 continues to mature, campaigns like this set a new benchmark: not just for sports marketing, but for how brands build lasting relationships in the digital age.