Key Takeaways
- FOOTLAB World will open its first US facility in Santa Ana, Orange County, spanning 165,000 square feet across five acres
- The venue is co-owned by Cristiano Ronaldo, Rui Costa, and 7EGEND, with partnership support from Stake Investors and The Sports Facilities Companies
- This marks FOOTLAB’s fourth global location, joining existing facilities in Almaty, Dubai, and Lisbon
- The facility will combine AI-powered training systems with both physical football and esports programming
- Grand opening is scheduled for 2026, positioning it as the largest FOOTLAB site worldwide
Orange County Secured as FOOTLAB’s US Entry Point
FOOTLAB World has chosen Santa Ana in Orange County, California, for its first United States facility. The 165,000-square-foot venue will occupy five acres and represents the largest FOOTLAB location globally when it opens in 2026.
The facility is backed by international football figures Cristiano Ronaldo and Rui Costa, alongside 7EGEND. The project operates in partnership with Stake Investors and The Sports Facilities Companies. This expansion brings FOOTLAB’s total venue count to four, with existing locations in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Dubai, and Lisbon.
AI Integration and Multi-Format Training Infrastructure
The Orange County facility will deploy proprietary AI systems designed to serve players across skill levels. These systems will track real-time performance metrics during training and competition. The venue will include both indoor and outdoor pitches, complemented by multiplayer and individual training stations.
FOOTLAB positions the facility as a bridge between physical football and esports, creating an integrated environment for both formats. This approach aligns with Cristiano Ronaldo’s separate £32 million investment in UFL, a free-to-play video game with esports components.
Tournament Hosting and Community Programming Planned
Beyond daily training operations, FOOTLAB Orange County will serve as a venue for global tournaments, events, and brand activations. Paulo Almeida, FOOTLAB’s COO, stated: “Orange County stands out as the perfect stage, with its passion for sport and diverse community. We’re creating an experience unlike anything the US has seen before.”
The facility aims to function as a hub for sports and lifestyle experiences, extending beyond traditional training center models.
What the US Facility Means for FOOTLAB’s Global Footprint
The Orange County launch represents FOOTLAB’s entry into the US market with a flagship-scale facility. At 165,000 square feet, it exceeds the size of the company’s existing international locations. The 2026 opening will test FOOTLAB’s hybrid model of AI-enhanced training, esports integration, and community programming in a competitive US market where multiple training facilities and academies already operate.
The partnership structure, combining ownership from football icons with institutional backing from Stake Investors and operational expertise from The Sports Facilities Companies, provides FOOTLAB with both brand recognition and facility management capabilities as it establishes its first North American presence.
via: esports insider
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