FAN NFC + ID UNLIMITED: A CONNECTED PARTNERSHIP

ID UNLIMITED UK and FAN NFC Launch Tap In® — The Connected Badge That Turns Every Fan Into a VIP

Smart badge technology transforms club merchandise into personalised digital experiences while unlocking new sponsorship revenue.

ID UNLIMITED UK and FAN NFC have launched Tap In®, a connected badge solution that’s already driving fan engagement for partner clubs and brands across the UK.

When fans tap their smartphone to a Tap In® badge, they unlock a personalised digital experience - exclusive interviews, competitions, rewards, and sponsor content - all without downloading an app. 

Every tap generates valuable first-party data for clubs while maintaining full privacy compliance.

How It Works

1.        Fan taps smartphone to badge — Works with any NFC-enabled phone (iOS or Android)

2.        Browser opens unique URL — Each badge has a secure, non-transferable link

3.        Personalised content appears — Clubs control what fans see: match updates, player messages, competitions, sponsor activations

4.        Fans return for more — Unlike one-time gimmicks, Tap In® rewards repeated engagement with fresh content and digital collectables

“A supporter might tap their badge on matchday and see a personalised greeting -‘Hi Grace, it’s Gameday!’ - followed by the team sheet sponsored by a local partner, an exclusive interview with the manager, and a competition to guess attendance, each sponsored by a different partner” explains Declan Gleeson, General Manager at ID UNLIMITED UK. “The experience is different every time they tap, giving them a reason to keep coming back.”

A New Revenue Stream: Sponsorable Digital Real Estate

For clubs, Tap In® opens an entirely new category of sponsorship inventory. Partners can brand the complete experience or sponsor individual interactive elements.

For Partnership Managers, Tap In® offers unparalleled flexibility when selling sponsorship packages.

 Because fans actively choose to engage with their badge, sponsors reach highly invested audiences at moments of genuine enthusiasm - far more valuable than passive ad placements.

“Tap In® brings a new level of connection between fans and clubs,” said Nick Lodge, CCO at FAN NFC. “It gives supporters meaningful moments that sit beyond the physical product, and it gives clubs a powerful way to engage people who are already deeply invested.”

Authentic, Secure, Future-Proof

Unlike QR codes, which can be copied and shared, each Tap In® badge contains a unique NFC chip registered on the blockchain, providing permanent product authentication. This Web3-ready infrastructure means clubs can verify genuine merchandise while building toward future digital experiences.

The platform is truly frictionless: fans don’t need to create accounts or download apps. Optional personalisation (name, birthday) enables customised greetings and special-occasion rewards, but the core experience works immediately with just a tap.

Built for Scale and Flexibility

Tap In® handles everything from limited-edition drops to mass-produced competition badges manufactured in the millions. The technology integrates seamlessly with ID UNLIMITED UK’s leading embellishment options - Senscilia Direct™, Senscilia Terra™, Silicone 3D, TPU, and Digital Satin - giving clubs complete creative control without compromising functionality.

Early results from deployments with partners such as Mitchell & Ness, Nottingham Forest FC and Macclesfield FC show consistent fan interaction, high satisfaction scores, and strong sponsor interest. Deployment can take as little as one month.

About the Partnership

ID UNLIMITED UK brings expertise as the trusted embellishment partner to over 230 UK football teams, creating world-class badges for clubs across all levels. FAN NFC contributes proven fan-engagement technology and secure NFC infrastructure. 

Together since 2025, they’ve built a solution that solves two critical problems:

·      True authentication — Secure, unique-per-product verification (not just copyable links)

·      Sustainable engagement — A platform that rewards repeated use, benefiting fans, clubs, and sponsors

“Tap In® allows supporters to move from passive consumption to active participation,” said Gleeson. “We’re bringing together our heritage in sport with FAN NFC’s authentication engine to deliver a product that’s simple, secure, and genuinely valuable.”

Availability

Tap In® is available now to clubs, leagues, and federations. Interested partners are invited to discuss implementation.

Pricing varies by deployment scale and requirements.

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About ID UNLIMITED UK

ID UNLIMITED UK (formerly Elms Marketing) is a market leader in the supply, customisation, and personalisation of sportswear and leisurewear, partnering with over 300 teams globally to create distinctive, high-quality badges and branding. For more information, visit www.id-unlimited.co.uk

About FAN NFC

FAN NFC is a connected merchandise technology company transforming physical products into digital engagement platforms using NFC technology. Its bespoke digital fan engagement platform enables brands to connect with fans, capture data, and monetise engagement through interactive experiences embedded into everyday products. For more information, visit www.fannfc.com.

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Tap In® and associated marks are trademarks of their respective owners.