Fanatics and American Express Team Up to Launch New Sports Rewards Credit Card

The agreement names American Express as the official payments partner across selected Fanatics online platforms and retail stores worldwide.

One of the centerpiece initiatives of the collaboration will be the launch of the Fanatics American Express Card later this year. The new co-branded credit card is designed specifically for sports fans and will offer a range of benefits tied directly to the Fanatics ecosystem.

Cardholders will be able to earn FanCash — Fanatics’ digital rewards currency — through purchases, which can then be redeemed on merchandise and apparel sold by the company. Users will also gain access to the Fanatics ONE loyalty program, as well as the broader American Express network and perks.

American Express will additionally serve as a presenting sponsor for Fanatics Fest, the company’s major fan-focused event set to take place in New York this July. The partnership reflects both companies’ growing interest in blending commerce, entertainment, and live sports experiences into a single connected platform.

According to Elizabeth Rutledge, Chief Marketing Officer at American Express, sports continue to play a major role in customer engagement. She noted that nearly 80 percent of surveyed U.S. American Express Consumer Card Members identify themselves as sports fans, making the partnership a natural fit for the company’s strategy.

Rutledge added that combining the scale of the Amex network with Fanatics’ audience of more than 100 million fans would allow the companies to deliver exclusive experiences ranging from everyday shopping rewards to premium access at major sporting events.

Fanatics Chief Strategy and Growth Officer Tucker Kain described the partnership as another step in the company’s effort to deepen fan engagement beyond merchandise sales. He said the collaboration would help expand Fanatics’ payments, loyalty, and advertising capabilities while creating products tailored specifically to sports audiences.

The announcement comes shortly after Fanatics also signed a new long-term licensing agreement with FIFA covering collectibles such as trading cards, stickers, and trading card games, further strengthening the company’s growing influence across the global sports industry.