The oldest football club in Bulgaria adopts Bitcoin & Lightning payments

On October 31, 2023, Botev Plovdiv FC, the oldest football club in Bulgaria, made a significant move by adopting Bitcoin and Lightning Network payments.
 

Effective immediately from the announcement, fans were able to use Bitcoin for peer-to-peer payments at the club’s fan shops and stands during matches in the top-flight Bulgarian Parva Liga. The club also announced plans to extend Bitcoin payments for ticketing and its online store.


Anton Zingarevich, the president of the 111-year-old football club, expressed optimism for the move, highlighting the potential of Bitcoin and the Lightning Network. He stated in a press release:

"Our enthusiasm for Bitcoin, especially the Lightning network, is immense. We foresee Bitcoin payments becoming as ubiquitous as the internet in our daily lives.This integration not only aligns with our vision but also offers our fans and stakeholders unparalleled convenience.”
 

The adoption of Bitcoin and Lightning payments was made possible through a partnership with BTCPay Server, a Bitcoin payment processor known for its open-source architecture and secure infrastructure. The payment hardware was provided by CryptoDesk.bg, in collaboration with Bitcoinize.com, who supplied the point-of-sale devices.
 

In addition to embracing Bitcoin, Botev Plovdiv FC also joined the decentralized protocol Nostr, enhancing its online presence. The club updated its official website, improved its English social media channels, and created an account on Nostr to offer censorship-resistant social media platforms.
 

This move by Botev Plovdiv FC was not only a step towards modernizing the club’s operations but also a significant gesture towards the modernization and popularization of football through technological advancements. It followed the footsteps of Real Bedford, a United Kingdom-based football club, which was the first football club in the world to adopt Bitcoin.