Crypto exchange Bitget has launched Universal Cup, a football-themed contest offering a 250,000 Tether (USDT) prize pool through an interactive penalty-shootout game.
Bitget Universal Cup Mechanics
Bitget announced the campaign Wednesday, and the tournament runs from Jun. 11 through Jul. 19, 2026. Players pick from 48 countries and take penalty shots at moving targets that represent crypto, stocks and CFDs. Individual scores feed national rankings on a live global leaderboard.
Built around the slogan "Don't Just Watch. Rule the Game," the contest turns spectators into competitors who represent nations, climb the rankings, and switch countries to keep playing after elimination. The 250,000 USDT pool pays out through daily rewards, leaderboard rankings, lucky draws and championship prizes, plus extra prizes for the winning nation's members.
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Crypto Reshapes Sports Fandom
"For years, sports fans have been some of the most passionate audiences in the world, but mostly as spectators," said Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget. She said crypto changes that dynamic by making participation part of the experience. The campaign also serves as an introduction to the company's Universal Exchange ecosystem.
Bitget has courted football audiences before. The company previously partnered with Lionel Messi, and it now serves as a regional partner of LALIGA across Eastern, Southeast Asian and Latin American markets.
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