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Sorare and AGON target the same user: the crypto-native sport fan. But they play different games. One is an NFT-based fantasy sport platform. The other is a crypto sportsbook with an open AI Agent Arena. This isn't a direct competitor comparison. It's a category breakdown. Understanding the difference is key to picking the right tool for your strategy. This analysis compares both platforms on eight critical axes, from core mechanics to the underlying tech.
AGON and Sorare serve the same crypto-sport-fan audience with different product categories. Sorare is an NFT fantasy sport platform with player NFT collections and manager-skill scoring. AGON is a crypto sport betting platform with an open AI Agent Arena where developers connect external bots via API. They are different categories with complementary use cases. Disclaimer: AGON publishes this comparison.
Sorare is an NFT-based fantasy sports game. Founded in 2018 by Nicolas Julia and Adrien Montfort, the platform raised a $680M Series B round led by SoftBank in 2021. Users buy, sell, and trade officially licensed digital player cards as NFTs on the Ethereum and Starknet blockchains. They then act as managers, creating lineups for fantasy tournaments. A player's real-world performance in a match dictates their NFT card's score. The platform holds official licensing partnerships with major leagues like MLB, the NBA, and numerous top-tier football leagues.
AGON is a crypto sportsbook built on the Base blockchain. The platform focuses on two core functions: direct sport betting with USDC and an open AI Agent Arena. The Agent Arena allows developers and quants to connect their own prediction bots via an open API to trade on sport markets. Performance is tracked on a public leaderboard with an ELO rating system. A full gamification stack—including levels, badges, seasons, and private leagues—is built around both manual betting and agent performance. AGON is the consumer application layer of a broader stack designed for verifiable prediction markets.
| Axis | Sorare | AGON |
|---|---|---|
| Category | NFT fantasy sport prediction (manager-skill game) | Crypto sportsbook + AI Agent Arena (bet-driven + algorithmic) |
| Chain/Collateral | Ethereum + Starknet; ETH + fiat | Base chain; USDC native |
| Sport Coverage | MLB, NBA, MLS, Premier League, etc. (licensed) | WC2026 focus + major leagues at launch |
| AI Agent Arena | ❌ (Manager-skill game, no algorithmic bot API) | ✅ (Open API, agent leaderboard, ELO rating) |
| Gamification | Card rarity tiers, manager seasons, tournaments | Levels, badges, seasons, private leagues, reputation |
| Onboarding | Fiat onramp + NFT card secondary market | Wallet-native USDC deposit |
| Player Licensing | ✅ Official player image licensing partnerships | ❌ No player image licensing (betting on outcomes) |
| Regulatory Posture | Fantasy-sport / NFT-collection framework | Sport betting framework (crypto sportsbook) |
Sorare's primary moat is its portfolio of official licensing deals with major sports leagues, including MLB, the NBA, and dozens of football leagues globally. This allows them to use official player names, images, and club branding on their NFTs, providing a level of authenticity few can match.
The platform's gameplay appeals directly to the massive global audience of traditional fantasy sports players. The transition from managing a team on ESPN or Yahoo to managing a roster of NFTs on Sorare is intuitive. It’s a game of skill, research, and strategy, not just a financial bet.
Beyond player licensing, Sorare has secured high-profile partnerships that lend it significant brand legitimacy. These deals put the Sorare brand in front of millions of mainstream sport fans, creating a powerful user acquisition funnel from outside the crypto-native world.
With a $680M Series B and years of operational history since its 2018 launch, Sorare is a well-capitalized and mature company. This provides users with a degree of confidence in the platform's longevity and ability to execute on its roadmap.
Sorare is a closed ecosystem designed for manual, manager-skill gameplay. It does not offer an open API for users to connect their own algorithmic trading or prediction bots. This makes it a non-starter for quants and developers who want to automate their strategies.
To be competitive in Sorare, users must typically purchase player NFTs on the secondary market. The price of top-tier player cards can be substantial, creating a significant capital barrier to entry compared to simply placing a bet.
The core mechanic is managing a roster, not betting on a specific match outcome like a moneyline or point spread. While both involve predicting sport performance, the gameplay loop and risk profile are fundamentally different.
Sorare is not a sportsbook. You cannot place a simple bet on a team to win. The platform is strictly focused on its NFT-based fantasy game, which limits its utility for users who want direct exposure to betting markets.
AGON's key differentiator is its open Agent Arena. Developers can connect external bots via API to trade sport markets algorithmically. All agents are ranked on a public leaderboard by P&L and an ELO rating, with performance history recorded on-chain. This creates a competitive environment for builders. How AGON's open Agent Arena model works.
AGON integrates a comprehensive gamification layer. Users earn XP to level up, unlock badges for specific achievements, and compete in seasonal leaderboards. The platform supports private leagues, allowing groups to create their own custom betting competitions.
Built on the Base blockchain, AGON uses USDC as its native collateral. This allows for near-instant and low-cost settlement of all bets on-chain, avoiding the high gas fees and network congestion associated with Ethereum mainnet.
AGON is a dedicated sportsbook. The platform's resources are focused exclusively on sport markets, with a deep backend structure built for events like the 2026 World Cup. There are no casino games or other distractions.
Compared to established crypto sportsbooks or the breadth of Sorare's licensing, AGON will launch with a more focused catalog of sports and markets. The initial focus is on major global events and leagues.
As a new platform, initial market liquidity on AGON will be lower than that of industry leaders. Building deep, liquid markets is a primary focus but will take time.
Market resolution on AGON is currently handled by an admin oracle. The long-term roadmap includes a transition to a decentralized resolution protocol, but that system is not yet live. You can read more about our AGON security and oracle posture.
The AI Agent Arena will launch in a simulation-only mode, allowing developers to backtest and paper-trade their strategies without risking real capital. Automated real-money betting will be enabled progressively.
Both platforms are built for the same core demographic: sport fans who are comfortable with crypto assets and blockchain technology. They speak the same language and are interested in new ways to engage with the sports they follow.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a massive event for both platforms. Sorare will likely offer extensive player NFT collections and tournaments. AGON will feature deep betting markets for all 104 matches, alongside dedicated AGON seasons & private leagues and a WC2026-specific battle pass.
Both Sorare and AGON understand that modern platforms need more than just a core utility. They both invest heavily in gamification, using seasons, tournaments, and rewards to drive user engagement and retention, though their mechanics differ. Sorare's licensed NFTs aren't mid; they're a serious play for the mainstream.
This is the fundamental category difference. AGON is for betting on discrete outcomes (e.g., Team A wins). Sorare is for building a fantasy roster that accumulates points over time. They are different activities with different risk/reward profiles.
AGON is built for the builder, the quant, the person who wants to deploy an algorithm. Sorare is built for the manager, the scout, the person who wants to use their sport knowledge to pick a winning lineup. This is a clear audience split.
The financial flows are distinct. On AGON, you deposit USDC and bet directly from your wallet. On Sorare, you acquire assets (NFTs) on a marketplace, which then become the instruments you use to play the game.
AGON is the only platform in this comparison with an open AI Agent Arena. Developers connect bots via an open API to a competitive environment where agents are ranked by ELO, P&L history, and strategy badges. Sorare does not offer open agent infrastructure; its gameplay is manager-skill NFT fantasy, not algorithmic competition. For builders who want to deploy an AI bot on sport prediction markets, AGON is the dedicated option.
Ready to compete? Connect your bot to the Agent Arena or See the live AI Agent leaderboard.
Sorare is the leading NFT fantasy sport prediction platform. It has licensed player partnerships across MLB, MLS, the NBA, and top global football leagues. AGON does not offer NFT player collections; it is a crypto sportsbook for betting on outcomes. For users who specifically want the NFT fantasy experience, Sorare is the established choice in its category.
The choice is not about which platform is better, but which tool is right for your objective.
You want to play NFT fantasy sports, value manager-skill gameplay over direct betting, and want to collect officially licensed player NFTs.
You want to bet on sport outcomes with crypto, build and deploy a prediction bot in the AI Agent Arena, and engage with a deep gamification stack. Browse AGON sport markets to see what's live.
You want full coverage of the crypto-sport-fan stack. Use Sorare for your fantasy fix and AGON for direct betting and algorithmic trading. If you're a degen who wants to ape into sport prediction, the categories are different—pick the right tool for the right job.
Sport betting involves risk. Not financial advice. Bet responsibly. AGON publishes this comparison. AGON is a crypto sportsbook on Base chain with an open AI Agent Arena. Sorare is an NFT-based fantasy sport prediction platform — a different category serving a similar crypto-sport-fan audience. AGON does not receive affiliate kickbacks from Sorare. Information is accurate as of the publication date. Both platforms' geographic availability and policies evolve; verify at sorare.com and agon.markets before participating.
For a broader look at the crypto sportsbook landscape, read our full 5-way crypto sportsbook breakdown.
| Feature | AGON | Stake | BC.Game | Roobet | Cloudbet | Sportsbet.io |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crypto deposits accepted | USDC (Base, launch) | BTC, ETH, LTC, USDT, USDC, XRP, DOGE, BNB, +20 more | BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC, BNB, LTC, TRX, XRP, SOL +150 more | BTC, ETH, LTC, USDT, USDC, TRX, XRP (7 total) | BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC, SOL, BNB, DOGE, LTC, BCH, PAX (40+ in app) | BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC, LTC, TRX, XRP, ADA, DOGE, SOL, TON, + |
| USDC native support | Yes (Base settlement, native) | Yes (multi-chain) | Yes (multi-chain incl. USDC.e) | Yes | Yes (ERC-20) | Yes (ERC-20, TRC-20) |
| AI Agent Arena / Open API for bots | Yes — open API, agent-first design | No | No | No | No | No |
| Gamification | Yes (XP, seasons, agent leaderboards) | Yes — 15-tier VIP (Bronze to Obsidian), daily races, weekly boosts | Yes — 75 levels across 8 tiers, XP, rakeback from VIP 14 | Limited — VIP rewards, cashback, weekly raffles, level-based perks | Limited — 10% rakeback, daily cash drops, weekend draws | Yes — Clubhouse, 7 tiers (Bronze to Diamond), tier-point multipliers |
| KYC required for deposit | No (wallet connect, on-chain) | Yes — Level 1 mandatory since 2025, Level 2 before withdrawal | No at deposit — triggered at withdrawal or €10k/mo cap | Yes — Level 1 mandatory at first deposit (Curaçao license) | No at signup — risk-based, triggers above ~$2,200/day withdrawal | No at deposit — triggered at ~€2,500 withdrawal or AML flags |
| Liquidity / volume tier | Launch (smaller initial liquidity) | Largest — broadest menu, deepest liquidity, UFC partner | Large | Mid | Large — high BTC limits (up to 10 BTC), Whale Mode for six-figure bets | Large |
| Market catalog size | Focused (launch verticals, expanding) | Vast — 45+ sports, full US majors, bet builder, live | Wide — strong sports + 150+ crypto coverage | Standard — sportsbook + Roobet-original games (Crash) | Wide — 50+ sports, deep esports (CS2, Dota 2, LoL, Valorant) | Wide — 35-40 sports, hundreds of daily markets, esports |
| Mobile UX | PWA + agent-friendly web | Native iOS app + Android APK + PWA | PWA + Android APK | Mobile web (responsive PWA) | Mobile-optimized web (no native app) | Native Android (Flutter) + iOS PWA |
| On-chain settlement transparency | Yes — admin oracle now, OracleDAO planned | No (off-chain ledger) | No (off-chain ledger) | No (off-chain ledger) | No (off-chain ledger) | No (off-chain ledger) |
| Bonus / promo offers | Minimal (launch, no aggressive deposit match) | Aggressive — 200% up to $2,000 + ongoing races/boosts | Aggressive — multi-tier welcome, rakeback, recharge bonus | Standard — 20% cashback up to $200/day for 7 days | Aggressive — $2,500 welcome package + rakeback + zero-margin events | Standard — 100% match up to 300 USDT, Clubhouse perks |
Sport betting involves risk. Not financial advice. Bet responsibly.
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Sorare is an NFT-based fantasy sport platform where users collect licensed player NFT cards and score points through manager-skill gameplay based on real-world player performance. AGON is a crypto sportsbook on Base chain with an open AI Agent Arena where users bet on sport outcomes and developers connect external trading bots via an open API. They are different product categories serving the same crypto-sport-fan audience.
Sorare positions itself as a fantasy sport game based on player NFT collections and manager skill, not as gambling. The regulatory classification varies by jurisdiction and has been the subject of legal analysis in countries like the United Kingdom and France. You should verify the current regulatory status in your jurisdiction before participating. This article does not constitute legal advice.
Sorare does not currently offer an open API for connecting external AI agents to its fantasy game. Its gameplay is designed for manual manager skill, where users select lineups and score based on real-world player performance. AGON's AI Agent Arena is the only platform in this comparison that offers open API access for connecting external prediction bots.
Alternatives depend on what you seek. For NFT fantasy sports with licensed player partnerships, Sorare is the established leader. For a different experience in the crypto-sport space, AGON offers an alternative category: crypto sport betting with an open AI Agent Arena and a full gamification stack including levels, badges, seasons, and private leagues.
Yes. Sorare was founded in 2018, is headquartered in France, and raised a significant Series B funding round led by SoftBank in 2021. The platform operates official, licensed partnerships with major sport leagues including MLB, the NBA, and the Premier League. As with any platform, verify its geographic availability and regulatory status in your region at sorare.com.
They are suited for different types of prediction. Sorare is better if you want to predict season-long or tournament-long player performance through manager-skill fantasy gameplay with NFTs. AGON is better if you want to predict discrete match outcomes via direct crypto sport betting or by deploying an automated prediction bot in its open AI Agent Arena.