- With its blockchain partner Ava Labs, Sports Illustrated Tickets will create a worldwide precedent.
- Fans will benefit from seamless entry, personalized rewards, exclusive content, and collectible digital assets.
Sports Illustrated Tickets, the fan-first live event ticket marketplace, and the New York Red Bulls have announced a historic 13-year partnership. Starting today, the 25,000-seat Harrison, New Jersey, venue that was formerly known as Red Bull Arena will be renamed “Sports Illustrated Stadium” as part of this revolutionary partnership. Avalanche, one of the fastest and most secure blockchain platforms, will play a pivotal role in transforming the stadium experience for fans, teams, and event organizers alike. Starting with the 2026 season, Avalanche blockchain will power the stadium’s ticketing system, marking a ground-breaking moment in live-event experiences.
Blockchain Ticketing on Avalanche
Sports Illustrated Tickets’ blockchain platform, “Box Office,” will handle all events at the stadium. Powered by Ava Labs, the system will offer secure, dynamic, and engaging NFT-based tickets. Fans will benefit from seamless entry, personalized rewards, exclusive content, and collectible digital assets tied to their events.
Starting with the 2026 season, Sports Illustrated Tickets’ principal blockchain event ticketing platform “Box Office” will power all events at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Box Office is a complete, end-to-end event management ticketing solution utilized by venues and events throughout the globe. With its blockchain partner Ava Labs, Sports Illustrated Tickets will create a worldwide precedent, making Sports Illustrated Stadium the first venue where all events will employ blockchain-based ticketing. This innovative technology will redefine the event experience, giving guests with a secure, engaging and fast ticketing option. Beyond frictionless access, the Avalanche blockchain will improve fan engagement by converting event tickets into dynamic digital assets, giving unique rewards, tailored content and more, creating a true next-generation event experience.
Avalanche’s sub-second transaction finality ensures that ticketing transactions, including purchases, transfers, and on-site verification, are seamless. This is critical for high-volume events such as MLS matches, concerts, and international tournaments. Moreover, With Avalanche’s robust security protocols, NFT-based tickets are fraud-resistant and tamper-proof, eliminating common issues like counterfeit tickets and unauthorized resales.
This move aligns with Avalanche’s reputation as a leader in blockchain technology, setting the stage for a new era in ticketing and fan engagement while cementing Sports Illustrated Stadium as a hub for cutting-edge digital solutions in live events.
Official Ticketing Partner
Furthermore, starting in 2026, Sports Illustrated Tickets will serve as the “Official Ticketing Partner” for all events held at Sports Illustrated Stadium. In addition to all international soccer matches, youth events, concerts, watch parties, and other events hosted at the stadium, this also covers all home games for the New York Red Bulls and Gotham FC. In Sports Illustrated’s 70-year history, this is the first stadium naming rights partnership. It will serve as a showcase for the legendary, iconic brand, which wants to use blockchain ticketing to raise the bar for fan engagement. It will also enhance the fan experience and help the 2024 Eastern Conference champion and MLS Cup finalist Red Bulls fan base grow in a way that only Sports Illustrated can.
In addition to the largest events worldwide, Sports Illustrated Tickets’ main ticketing platform, Box Office, is a cutting-edge event management and blockchain ticketing solution that provides a comprehensive NFT ticket solution for both free and paid events of any size with visibility and proximity to traditional, non-NFT tickets.
David Lane, CEO of Sports Illustrated Tickets said:
“Seeing Sports Illustrated Stadium for the first time is truly an historic and awe-inspiring moment. For 70 years, Sports Illustrated has represented the best in sports and culture. Through this global partnership and soon-to-be iconic venue, we aim to showcase our vast portfolio of media, live event ticketing, hospitality and fan experiences as we continue to partner with leagues, teams, artists and venues around the world. Sports Illustrated Stadium is much more than just a sports and concert venue – it’s a celebration of history, innovation and the unforgettable experiences that unite us all.”
A new era for Sports Illustrated Stadium as a top live sports and entertainment destination in the New York City market will be ushered in by the long-term agreement, which will provide fans with never-before-seen access to everything from exclusive events and immersive possibilities to turnkey and streamlined digital ticketing options. At every stadium event, fans will receive their very own digital Sports Illustrated Fan Cover, guaranteeing that everyone who attends will take home a memento to relive the event and share with loved ones.
Marc de Grandpré, President, New York Red Bulls said:
“We are thrilled to announce a groundbreaking long-term partnership with Sports Illustrated Tickets and the iconic Sports Illustrated brand. Our shared values and unwavering commitment to delivering an unparalleled guest experience will further cement Sports Illustrated Stadium as a premier destination for sports and entertainment in the metropolitan area. We are truly honored to call Sports Illustrated Stadium the home of Red Bull New York, and together, we eagerly anticipate creating unforgettable memories for all our fans and guests.”
Best-in Class Experience
Additionally, “Club SI,” Sports Illustrated Tickets’ best-in-class hospitality experience, which has been the most popular ticket for years at events like the Super Bowl, Kentucky Derby, and Formula 1 worldwide, will be introduced at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The 1,000-capacity Club SI will give VIP access, food, refreshments, live entertainment and reasonable packages for fans and families to indulge in an exceptional experience that previously may have been out of reach.
This alliance between Sports Illustrated and Red Bull has the potential to develop into additional collaborations within the two global brands. As the first venue globally to implement end-to-end blockchain ticketing for all events, Sports Illustrated Stadium highlights Avalanche’s scalability and versatility.
50 million tickets for sporting events, concerts, and theatrical productions worldwide are available on Sports Illustrated Tickets, a fan-first primary and secondary ticketing marketplace with over $2 billion in inventory. Sports Illustrated Tickets, a member of the NFL Ticket Network, promotes a clear pricing policy with zero ($0) transaction fees.
With its unparalleled offerings, Avalanche is poised to make Sports Illustrated Stadium a global benchmark for blockchain-integrated sports and entertainment venues, cementing its place at the forefront of innovation in the Web3 era.
Visit SITickets.com or download the iOS and Android app for further information.
