Sports fans now have a credit card built around how they spend. Fanatics and American Express unveiled the Fanatics American Express Card on Monday, November 9, positioning it as a way to earn rewards on team gear, tickets and collectibles. ([1])The card is not open for applications yet, but fans in the United States can join a waitlist now, and invitations to apply will go out later this year. ([2])
A card that looks like a trading card
The most noticeable feature is the design. Cardholders can choose from more than 500 designs featuring athletes from the NBA, NFL, UFC and WWE, and the layouts draw on Topps trading cards. ([2])Fanatics has said more leagues and players could be added over time.
The look is intentional. Fanatics has described the card as a fan badge that doubles as a payment method, and the company is betting that buyers will want to show it off at the register. Whether that appeal holds beyond collectors remains to be seen.
How the rewards are structured
Rewards come in the form of FanCash, Fanatics’ loyalty currency. The card’s earning schedule is laid out in the following tiers:
- 5% FanCash on purchases across the Fanatics ecosystem, including Fanatics.com, Lids and Topps
- 8% or more when purchases are made through the Fanatics App
- 5% on tickets and select streaming services
- 2% on all other purchases
Those rates come from the company’s announcement as reported by industry outlets. ([3])FanCash can be spent on apparel, trading cards, collectibles, tickets and event access, including Fanatics Fest. ([2])Fanatics also says eligible states allow FanCash to be used for bonus bets at its sportsbook, though betting purchases themselves do not earn rewards. ([3])
The sign-up offer is straightforward. New cardholders can earn $100 in FanCash after $1,000 in net purchases within 90 days of opening the account, and there is an additional $100 bonus for spending at least $500 a month for 12 consecutive months. ([4])The card carries no annual fee. ([4])Holders of American Express cards can also move Membership Rewards points into FanCash at 1,000 points for $10. ([4])
What matters now: The card is available only through a waitlist for the time being, and the terms could change before applications open. Anyone considering it should review the rewards and cardholder agreements closely once they are published.
Access that goes beyond points
Fanatics is also selling access. Cardholders receive early access to select Topps releases, with at least four drops per calendar year, though availability is limited and early access does not guarantee a purchase. ([4])Collectors who want first looks at new product may find that appealing.
The account also builds status in the Fanatics ONE program. Cardholders receive 2,500 tier points at account opening and on each anniversary, plus 10 points for every $50 in eligible purchases. ([4])Fanatics has said that cardholders also get early floor access and extra perks at Fanatics Fest. ([5])Because the card runs on the American Express network, holders also gain Amex Experiences, which include ticket presales for select sports, music and theater events. ([5])
Questions still to be answered
The card’s structure has drawn attention beyond the rewards. Fanatics is a major player in sports betting, and the Wall Street Journal reported that the card cannot be used to place bets directly, since many betting sites do not accept credit cards. ([6])A credit counseling spokesman quoted in the same report warned that rewards could encourage people to fund gambling with cash and carry other costs on credit. ([6])Fanatics’ chief financial officer responded that other card programs already let customers spend cash-back rewards on gambling. ([6])
The issuing arrangement also sets this card apart from some other co-branded cards. The card is issued by First Electronic Bank and managed by Imprint, rather than directly by American Express, which issues cards such as those tied to Delta and Marriott. ([7])Fanatics has also said the Championship Challenge will give cardmembers a chance to have their bill paid by correctly predicting the MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL champions, though full rules are still to come. ([2])
For now, the card is a promise more than a product. Fans who want it will need to wait for invitations, and the details that matter most, including how the rewards perform in practice, will become clearer once cardholders start using it.
