American Express has signed a deal with Fanatics to become the official payments partner across select Fanatics online and retail locations worldwide.
As the official payments partner, American Express will be a presenting sponsor at the Fanatics Fest event in New York in July.
An exclusive Fanatics American Express Card is also planned to launch later this year, which will operate as a credit card with additional brand benefits.
These include the ability to earn FanCash, a digital currency that can be redeemed for apparel at Fanatics, access to the Fanatics ONE loyalty program and the Amex Network.
Elizabeth Rutledge, American Express Chief Marketing Officer, said: “Nearly 80% of surveyed U.S. American Express Consumer Card Members identify as sports fans, and this partnership with Fanatics will deliver unforgettable fan experiences and expanded access at some of the world’s most popular sporting events.
“By combining the scale of the American Express Network with Fanatics’ ecosystem of more than 100 million fans, we’re delivering the new Fanatics American Express® Card and experiences that make fandom more rewarding – from everyday purchases to once-in-a-lifetime moments.”
The partnership will connect sports fan experiences with easy payment methods that offer rewards for future purchases.
Earlier this month, Fanatics partnered with FIFA to sign a long-term licensing agreement covering collectibles, including trading cards, stickers and trading card games.
Tucker Kain, Fanatics Chief Strategy and Growth Officer, said: “We’re constantly looking for new ways to celebrate and support fans for their passions and enhance the everyday fan experience.
“Partnering with American Express allows us to scale these ambitions in a meaningful way, expanding our payments, loyalty and advertising capabilities, while creating truly differentiated products – including the Fanatics American Express® Card – which we believe will become the Card that sports fans reach for.”
Fanatics’ FanCash can be redeemed for authentic apparel, trading cards, collectables, and exclusive experiences such as Fanatics Fest
