Fanatics Live, the live commerce branch of the internationally renowned digital sports platform Fanatics, has revealed its acquisition of the assets belonging to Voggt, a leading live-commerce platform headquartered in France. Voggt is well-known for its innovative live shopping experiences tailored for collectibles, making it a market leader in this niche. This strategic move will significantly enhance Fanatics Live’s operations as it seeks to capture a larger share of the European market.
Voggt’s Impact in the Market
Founded in 2021, Voggt has quickly amassed a membership of over half a million collectors. The platform excels in live selling sports collectibles and trading card games (TCG), supported by a vibrant community of creators who engage with their audience in real time. By integrating Voggt’s unique capabilities into its own operations, Fanatics Live aims to create a more engaging and immersive experience for collectors across Europe.
Expansion Plans
Since its launch in 2023, Fanatics Live has concentrated on the live sale of sports collectibles, a practice commonly referred to as “breaking” within the industry. The platform has rapidly built an enthusiastic audience in the U.S. and is now set to broaden its operations internationally, targeting France and Germany initially. CEO Nick Bell has also confirmed plans for a launch in the United Kingdom by 2025, marking an exciting chapter for Fanatics Live and its growing community.
Strategic Partnerships
The broader Fanatics organization boasts an impressive portfolio of partnerships, including collaborations with over 900 sports clubs and organisations worldwide. These partnerships enhance Fanatics Live’s credibility and potential reach in the collectibles market, allowing them to offer a diverse range of products. Collaborations with major entities such as UEFA, the French Football Association, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Chelsea, NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, the International Olympic Committee, and Formula One further solidify Fanatics Live’s position as a leader in the sports collectibles space.
Statements from Leadership
“We are thrilled to welcome Voggt to Fanatics Live,” stated CEO Nick Bell. The Voggt team has built a strong platform and community, and we eagerly anticipate their input as we strive to enhance the collector experience.
Quentin Lopes, co-founder and CEO of Voggt, expressed his excitement about the acquisition: “I’m excited to take the next step in Voggt’s journey by joining Fanatics, one of the fastest-growing companies in sports. Together, we will bring the best of Fanatics to our passionate community in Europe, developing a leading platform that will redefine the collectibles space.”
Continued Operations and Brand Identity
The acquisition is effective immediately, and all current Voggt employees will retain their roles at their existing locations. The platform will continue to operate under the Voggt brand during this transition period, ensuring continuity for its current user base.
Understanding Online Breaking
Breaking has become a popular method for fans to engage in collecting sports trading cards and TCGs, with hundreds of thousands of collectors participating in “breaks” weekly on platforms like Fanatics Live. In a typical break, a live seller, referred to as a “breaker,” opens various packs, boxes, or cases of sports trading cards or TCGs for a live audience. Collectors purchase a “slot,” which represents a portion of the opened product, and watch as the packs are opened, revealing cards in real time. Participants may buy slots linked to specific teams, entitling them to any cards featuring players from those teams or opt for randomised selections.
