CoinPoker Becomes Official Regional Sponsor of Argentina’s Football Team

When Lionel Messi, captain of the Argentina national football team lifted the Copa América trophy in July 2024, a new partnership was announced that could change how fans engage with the sport. The Argentine Football Association (Argentine Football Association, AFA) disclosed on July 28 that it had signed a two‑year regional sponsorship with CoinPoker, the cryptocurrency‑based online poker platform founded in 2017. The deal makes CoinPoker the official regional sponsor of the world‑ranked side, linking the nation’s football passion with the fast‑growing crypto‑gaming market.

Background: Argentina Football and Crypto Sponsorships

Argentina’s football pedigree is the stuff of legend: three FIFA World Cup titles (1978, 1986, 2022) and a string of Copa América victories, the latest a 4‑1 demolition of Brazil in June 2024. The AFA, headquartered in Buenos Aires, has traditionally leaned on apparel and automotive brands for backing. The 2024 Copa América Final, held on June 23, 2024, marked the first major South American tournament where a crypto firm featured prominently in the sponsor lineup.

CoinPoker entered the sports arena amid a broader push by blockchain‑based companies to gain mainstream exposure. Its provably fair shuffling and crypto‑only deposits have attracted a niche but growing user base, especially in markets where traditional banking is cumbersome.

Details of the CoinPoker Partnership

The agreement, signed on July 28, 2024, runs for two years and designates CoinPoker as the “official regional sponsor” for all AFA‑related activities in South America. The partnership will see CoinPoker branding on team travel kits, social media assets, and stadium advertising during home matches at the Estadio Monumental. In exchange, CoinPoker receives exclusive rights to run Argentina‑themed poker tournaments and to offer fans crypto‑based prizes tied to the national team’s schedule.

• Immediate launch: a freeroll on July 28, 2024 at 22:00 GMT with a $2,024 prize pool and a signed Messi jersey.
• "All‑in for Argentina" mini‑series (March 16‑23 2025): twenty $10 buy‑in GTD events, each guaranteeing $1,000, aligned with Argentina’s fixtures against Uruguay (March 20) and Brazil (March 25).
• Special challenges: volume‑based freerolls and deposit‑linked bonuses throughout 2025.

The partnership was teased on the AFA’s official X account (@AFASeleccionEN) on July 28, with CoinPoker confirming via its X profile (@CoinPoker_OFF) on July 26, posting the promotional code “Messi2024”.

Quotes from Key Stakeholders

"We are incredibly excited to partner with the Argentine Football Association, an organisation that represents the pinnacle of football excellence," said the CoinPoker spokesperson in the press release. "This partnership underscores our commitment to working with the best in the world and brings our platform to millions of passionate fans."

Echoing the sentiment, an AFA spokesperson remarked, "CoinPoker embodies the spirit of competition that defines Argentine football. Together we will push boundaries, embrace cutting‑edge technology, and celebrate shared victories on and off the pitch."

Antanas Guoga (known as Tony G), CoinPoker ambassador, former MEP and professional poker player, added, "Our collaboration with the AFA highlights how sport and crypto can thrive side by side. Fans will get unique ways to engage with the team, and we’ll showcase the fairness and security of blockchain‑gaming."

What the Deal Means for Fans and Players

For the average Argentinian supporter, the partnership translates into tangible rewards: ticket giveaways for home matches, limited‑edition merchandise, and the chance to win Messi‑signed jerseys through online poker events. The synergy also gives younger fans—many of whom already navigate crypto wallets—a familiar gateway into the sport.

From a player perspective, the deal opens a new revenue stream. The AFA can allocate prize‑money from the partnership toward youth development programs, while the national team benefits from heightened global visibility as CoinPoker’s user base spans over 120 countries.

Upcoming Promotions and Tournaments

Beyond the July freeroll, CoinPoker has mapped a calendar of Argentina‑centric events through March 2025. Highlights include:

1. All‑in for Argentina series — twenty $10 tournaments, each with a $1,000 guaranteed prize pool.
2. Winner’s Freeroll on March 25, 2025, awarding the champion a Messi‑signed jersey.
3. Volume Challenge Freeroll (March 25) for players who log at least 14 series events.
4. Deposit‑bonus freeroll (March 14) for users who top up $50 by 13:00 CET, offering MTT tickets worth up to $200.

CoinPoker also plans limited‑time offers tied to Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers later in 2025, ensuring the partnership stays relevant throughout the international calendar.

Looking Ahead: Crypto in Global Sports

The AFA‑CoinPoker alliance reflects a broader trend where traditional sports bodies explore blockchain partnerships to diversify income and engage digitally native audiences. While some skeptics caution about volatility and regulatory uncertainty, both parties stress that the collaboration is built on “player‑first” principles—security, privacy, and transparent rewards.

Messi himself has hinted at an interest in poker, having appeared on the Winamax Poker Tour in 2022. Should he ever take a seat at a CoinPoker table, the publicity could be monumental, merging two of the world’s biggest entertainment platforms.

As the partnership rolls out, observers will watch for measurable impacts: increase in CoinPoker registrations from South America, ticket sales for AFA matches, and overall fan sentiment. If successful, this model could pave the way for other federations—perhaps the Brazilian Football Confederation or UEFA—to explore similar crypto‑sport synergies.