NEW YORK (Jan. 11, 2024) – A-Champs announced today that it has been selected by Major League Soccer to be part of the inaugural year of the MLS Innovation Lab. The new program aims to shape the future of sports by identifying cutting-edge startups and technologies 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 launched in December at MLS NEXT FEST in Arizona and represents another milestone for a league recognized globally for innovation.
A-Champs has developed an interactive training system that helps players of all levels improve soccer-specific cognitive-motor skills and technical abilities. In modern soccer, rapid information processing, quick decision-making, and precise execution are essential. The A-Champs system uses sensor pods and interactive rebounding walls that emit light and sound cues to train players to perceive, decide, and react quickly—just like in a real match.
The system measures player interactions and delivers objective performance data through the A-Champs App, creating a gamified and motivating training environment. The technology is already trusted by professional clubs, academies, and training centers across Europe and Asia. Players benefit from increased repetitions, real-time feedback, and measurable progress within shorter training sessions, while coaches gain valuable data-driven insights and easy integration into existing drills.
A-Champs earned its place in the inaugural cohort after a rigorous evaluation process involving hundreds of companies worldwide. Through the MLS Innovation Lab, participating companies have the opportunity to test and validate their products in real-world MLS environments across the league ecosystem, including MLS NEXT FEST, Generation adidas Cup, MLS NEXT Cup, and the MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by Allstate.
This collaboration provides A-Champs with a unique opportunity to validate its system within the U.S. soccer landscape while gathering insights from elite athletes and coaches. The feedback generated through these partnerships will help refine A-Champs’ product roadmap and support future development tailored specifically to North American soccer.
“Being chosen among the top innovative soccer technology startups worldwide and joining the MLS Innovation Lab program makes us incredibly proud,” said Kilian Saekel, CEO and Co-Founder of A-Champs. “We already have a strong presence in European soccer, and we’re excited to work together with MLS to empower millions of young players across the United States to reach their full potential.”
A-Champs’ mission extends beyond performance enhancement. The company aims to democratize access to elite, science-backed training tools for youth athletes around the world. Through this collaboration, A-Champs hopes to foster long-term player development, build confidence, and support healthier, more resilient athletes both on and off the field.
MLS’ forward-thinking approach continues to drive innovation across the sports industry. The league recently formed a groundbreaking ten-year partnership with Apple that transformed how fans watch matches by eliminating blackouts and centralizing every game on a single platform. MLS also launched Leagues Cup in partnership with Liga MX and Concacaf, creating the first in-season tournament of its kind among major professional sports leagues in North America.
Additionally, MLS has been a global leader in video review implementation and was the first major men’s professional sports league in North America to return to play during the COVID-19 pandemic with 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 platform in global sports. We are excited to work with A-Champs, and our 2024 cohort highlights some of the most exciting sports technology startups from around the world. We look forward to seeing their impact on the game in the years ahead.”
