A-Champs partners with MLS Innovation LAB to help develop the next generation of athletes

NEW YORK (Jan. 11, 2024) – A-Champs announced today that it has been selected by Major League Soccer to be a part of the inaugural year of MLS Innovation Lab. The new program aims to shape the future of sports by identifying cutting-edge startups and technologies. It’s designed to develop next-generation athletes, enhance the fan experience, and support the continued growth of MLS and its Clubs. The MLS Innovation Lab officially kicked off in December at MLS NEXT FEST in Arizona. It’s the latest initiative from a league recognized as a global leader in innovation.

A-Champs has developed an interactive training system that helps players of all skill levels to improve soccer-specific cognitive-motor skills and technical abilities. In modern soccer, rapid information processing, quick decision-making, and precise execution are imperative. The A-Champs system uses sensor pods and interactive rebounding walls that emit light and sound. These prompts train players to perceive, decide, and react quickly—just like in a game. It measures interactions, providing objective data via the A-Champs App, creating a gamified, motivating training environment. The technology is already trusted by professional clubs, academies, and training centers in Europe and Asia. Players benefit from increased repetitions, real-time feedback, and measurable progress—all within shorter training sessions. Coaches value the data-driven insights and how easily the system integrates into drills. Players stay motivated through engaging, game-like challenges that mirror real match scenarios.

A-Champs was selected to be part of the program’s inaugural cohort following a rigorous evaluation process, which vetted hundreds of companies. The MLS Innovation Lab gives cohort companies the chance to test their products in real-world MLS environments throughout the MLS ecosystem, including events such as MLS NEXT FEST, Generation adidas Cup, MLS NEXT Cup and the MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by All-State, among others. This opportunity allows A-Champs to validate its system within U.S. soccer. It also enables the team to gather insights from elite athletes and coaches. Feedback from these collaborations will help A-Champs refine its product roadmap. It will also open new development opportunities tailored to North American soccer.

“Being chosen among the top innovative soccer tech start-ups worldwide and joining the MLS Innovation Lab program makes us proud,” said Kilian Saekel, A-Champs CEO and Co-Founder. “We already have a strong presence in European soccer. Now, we are super excited to work together with the MLS to empower millions of young US soccer players to reach their full potential.” A-Champs’ mission goes beyond performance. It aims to democratize access to elite, science-backed training tools for youth athletes worldwide. Through this collaboration, A-Champs aims to foster long-term development. The goal is to build confidence and support healthier, more resilient players—on and off the field.

The League’s forward-thinking approach is the driver behind the creation of MLS Innovation Lab. MLS recently formed an unprecedented ten-year partnership with Apple that reimagined how soccer fans consumed games – with no blackouts and all matches on a single platform. In 2023, MLS launched Leagues Cup, a partnership with Liga MX and Concacaf. It became the first in-season tournament by a major professional league in North America. In recent years, MLS has been at the forefront of video review in soccer – with the MLS Video Review program later mirrored by other leagues around the world – and MLS was the first major men’s league in North America to return to play during the COVID-19 pandemic when it hosted the MLS is Back tournament in 2020. 

“Major League Soccer strives to be the front porch of innovation for the sports industry," said Gary Stevenson, Deputy Commissioner of MLS and President of Soccer United Marketing. "In that spirit, MLS Innovation Lab provides a truly unique offering in global sports. We are really looking forward to working with A-Champs. Our 2024 cohort places a spotlight on some of the most exciting tech startups from around the world, and we eagerly anticipate their impact on the sport in the years to come.”