Every now and then, a game comes along that just clicks.

For me right now, that game is MFL (Metaverse Football League). I stumbled into it a little curious, a little sceptical, and before I knew it, I was planning tactics, scouting players, cutting loan deals – and having more fun than I’ve had in any football game for a while.

If you’ve seen people talking about MFL recently and wondered what the fuss is about, here’s why I think it’s blowing up – and why I’m playing.

1. It’s actually fun

Let’s start with the obvious: MFL is just fun. Simple as that.

So many football games lately have either felt like chores or lost that magic spark. MFL brought it back for me, and that’s why I decided to dust off this blog and start writing again (after a 2 year break!).

There’s a sense of excitement in building your team, testing formations, training players, and seeing how they perform. Every decision feels meaningful – and when your strategy works and you lift a cup in your first season? It’s a rush.

2. It’s properly social

I love games with a good community around them and what surprised me most is how social the game is.

• You’re always playing against other real people, whether it’s league matches or tournaments.
• You’re negotiating player loans, doing deals, chatting about team builds.
• And there’s a genuinely buzzing community – mostly on Discord, but increasingly also on Twitter/X – where people share tactics, brag about wins, or help new managers get started.

It feels like being part of an evolving football world, not just a single-player sim. There’s a mix of competitiveness and mutual support. People want to win – but they’re also up for helping each other out, sharing advice, or trading for mutual benefit.

3. It’s Got That Classic Football Game Feel

If, like me, you’ve ever sunk hours into Championship Manager, Football Manager, or the career modes in FIFA or PES, MFL feels instantly familiar – but with a fresh twist.

• Tactics and formations matter.
• Players have detailed stats that influence your choices.
• You can go casual or dig deep into the numbers.

It strikes a rare balance between being easy to pick up and play and strategic enough to obsess over. And the top-down 2D match animations are instantly nostalgic!

4. It’s still new – and evolving fast

Part of the appeal for me is that MFL is still developing. The foundations are solid, but the team are clearly ambitious and you can see where it’s headed:

• New features are being added regularly
• The roadmap includes things like substitutes, youth academies, training facilities, team morale, sponsorships, and more
• Being here early means you get to grow with the game – and maybe even help shape it

It feels like I’m in on something before it goes mainstream, which is exciting.

5. You own your players (and that actually matters)

MFL is blockchain-based. But not in a “grind-to-earn crypto” way.

In MFL, every player and club is an NFT, which means you own your squad. You can:

• Trade players and/or clubs on the marketplace
• Loan players out and earn returns
• Watch their value go up as they improve

There is definitely the potential to freeroll in the game if you spot some younger players with good potential and build them up, or buy a club at the bottom of the pyramid and move it up a few divisions before selling it on.

Having said that, the money side isn’t the main hook for me. It’s more like Football Manager with a real transfer market layered in. The game comes first – the economy is just part of the fun.

Final thoughts

So yeah – that’s why I’m hooked.

It’s fun again. It’s social. It scratches the football manager itch. It’s evolving. And there’s even a chance to earn a bit along the way. If you’re thinking about giving MFL a try, my advice is: jump in now. You’re early enough to still feel ahead of the curve – and you might just find yourself planning your next formation over your morning coffee.

Ready to jump in? If you need a referral link to get started (trust me, use one – it gives you bonuses), here is mine: https://app.playmfl.com/?referrer=3D7036. Then check out my beginners guide to help you get started.

Have fun!