Footlab World, an AI-powered soccer training and entertainment franchise co-owned by Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo, Rui Costa and technology company 7EGEND, will open its first Canadian location at White Oaks Mall in London, Ont.

The 37,000-square-foot venue will be part of the redevelopment of the mall’s former Hudson’s Bay Company department-store space, alongside IKEA and other new attractions. The facility will offer a technology-driven environment where players can train, compete and monitor real-time performance data through a network connected to Footlab locations around the world, said the company.

“White Oaks Mall is undergoing a remarkable reimagining, and Footlab is an exciting part of that,” said Tarek Kasem, the mall’s general manager. “This is about giving athletes and football fans in our community access to a truly world-class experience, one that was previously out of reach.”

Footlab combines soccer training, eSports and proprietary AI-powered performance technology developed by sports scientists, engineers, UX designers and AI. Users can track and benchmark their performance while competing with players globally.

“Canada represents a very important milestone in Footlab’s global expansion strategy,” said Paulo Barbosa Almeida, chief operating officer of Footlab. “Bringing Footlab to London, Ont., inside a landmark redevelopment such as White Oaks Mall reinforces our vision of creating world-class football destinations that merge technology, performance, entertainment, and community.

“Footlab is not just another sports facility — it is an entirely new category within football and sports entertainment. The next generation of players is looking for more than just a place to play — they are looking for connection, competition, technology, emotion, and purpose. That is why we are building a globally connected ecosystem where players can train, compete, improve, and benchmark themselves through proprietary AI-powered technology.”

Canada has “enormous” potential for soccer growth, especially with the momentum building around the FIFA men’s World Cup and the rapid evolution of the sport across North America, he added.

The London opening marks a significant step in Footlab’s international expansion, said the company. Footlab recently opened its largest location in Orange County, Calif., and also operates venues in Portugal, Dubai and Kazakhstan.

Pictured: Future Footlab location in Southern Ontario

Image: Footlab World

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