Fanatics Collectibles Expands Global Footprint with Voggt Acquisition
A New Era for Trading Cards
Fanatics Collectibles has cemented its status as a frontrunner in the North American trading card industry, showcasing impressive capabilities in card production, exclusive league partnerships, a bustling marketplace, and an innovative streaming service. However, the company is now setting its sights on broadening its horizons internationally to elevate brand recognition on a global scale.
In a significant development announced recently, Fanatics Live—the company’s live commerce arm—has acquired Voggt, a European platform that specializes in live-streaming collectible transactions. Launched in 2021, Voggt primarily caters to card enthusiasts in regions like Germany and France.
Growth of Card Collecting Across Europe
Over recent years, the European collectibles scene has experienced notable growth characterized by new trade shows opening up alongside conventional retail outlets dedicated to cards. Additionally, exclusive releases tailored for this market have become increasingly common. Although it may not yet match the expansive U.S. market’s robustness, Europe presents abundant opportunities.
“Our acquisition of Voggt dramatically propels our goals across Europe,” stated Chris Lamontagne, President of Fanatics Collectibles. He elaborated that collectibles are witnessing widespread global expansion and emphasized how having local expertise will make collecting more accessible beyond geographical boundaries.
Voggt’s platform boasts over 500,000 registered users who engage with both trading card games (TCGs) and sports memorabilia dealers alike. As part of this acquisition strategy, Fanatics Live is poised to enter the UK market by 2025—taking steps that mark an exciting next chapter following Voggt’s previously scaled-back operations there to focus on mainland Europe.
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Fanatics Live Takes a Bold Step in Europe: Acquires Voggt to Ignite Growth in the Card Market
In a groundbreaking move, Fanatics Live has made a significant acquisition by purchasing Voggt, a prominent player in the European trading card market. This strategic endeavor is poised to revolutionize the card industry, creating new opportunities for collectors, investors, and fans across the continent.
The Growing Popularity of Trading Cards in Europe
The trading card market has witnessed a resurgence in recent years, fueled by increased interest from younger generations and nostalgia among older collectors. With sports cards, Pokémon cards, and other collectibles gaining momentum, the timing of Fanatics Live’s acquisition couldn’t be better.
Factors Driving the Card Market Expansion
- Digital Integration: The rise of online platforms and mobile applications has made it easier for collectors to buy, sell, and trade cards.
- Community Engagement: Social media has created vibrant communities where enthusiasts share knowledge, showcase collections, and discuss trends.
- Investment Potential: Many collectors are treating cards as an investment, leading to increased demand for high-value items.
What Does the Acquisition of Voggt Mean for Fanatics Live?
By acquiring Voggt, Fanatics Live is not merely expanding its portfolio; it is strategically positioning itself to become a market leader in Europe. Here are some key implications of this acquisition:
Enhanced Platform Capabilities
Voggt brings a robust platform that offers various features for
Positioning Against Competitors
With formidable rivals such as WhatNot and eBay Live gaining traction within North America’s streaming arena for collectibles marketplaces—including those based in Europe—the timing of this acquisition neatly positions Fanatics Live at the forefront with proven infrastructure already established through Voggt’s platform.
“The international sector plays a crucial role in our aim to become the preeminent sports platform globally; coupled with investments into worldwide licenses we’re also armed with robust technology that enhances fan interaction,” Lamontagne remarked regarding their strategic initiatives moving forward.
Transition Plans and Community Engagement
The integration plan indicates continuity for current employees at Voggt while retaining their brand identity temporarily—an approach designed to facilitate smoother transitions for existing customers. “I’m thrilled about embarking on this new phase together with Fanatics—a rapidly expanding force within sports,” expressed Quentin Lopes, co-founder and CEO of Voggt. “Our partnership will leverage all that Fanatics offers our dedicated community throughout Europe while establishing an unparalleled collecting experience.”
Interestingly enough is how Fanatics’ reputation mostly revolves around sports; however recent acquisitions have been broadened to include rights for trading cards related not only to major brands like Disney and Marvel but also esteemed franchises such as Star Wars.
As collectors expand their interests beyond traditional categories—including Pokémon or One Piece content streamed online—Fanatics is excitedly welcoming all facets associated with hobbyist pursuits rather than exclusively concentrating on sporting elements alone: “Our goal remains centered around enriching collector experiences; we recognize how TCG communities thrive along these streams—and look forward towards advancing both TCG involvement alongside traditional sport cards prominently featured within key territories,” added Lamontagne further emphasizing their inclusive philosophy toward growing these sectors collectively.
