England skipper Harry Kane and chess maestro Magnus Carlsen have joined a £76.5 million investment drive for Toca Social, the brains behind the football-inspired leisure and dining hotspot. This financial boost is set to propel Toca Football's expansion, with plans to open new venues in London, building on their existing spot at the O2 Arena alongside launches in Paris, Mexico, and across the US, while also funding tech advancements for its Toca Soccer training hubs.
Kane has bolstered his initial 2022 backing of Toca Football by participating in the Series F funding round. The former Tottenham Hotspur talisman, who doubles as a brand ambassador, is deepening his ties with the enterprise founded by ex-professional footballer Eddie Lewis, known for his stints at Fulham, Leeds United, and the US national team reports City AM.
Meanwhile, Carlsen's reinvestment coincides with his presence in London for the Global Chess League, hosted at Friends House in Euston. The Norwegian prodigy, who first invested in Toca Football earlier this year, is diversifying his portfolio with interests spanning the tech and chess arenas.
Toca CEO Yoshi Maruyama expressed optimism about the sport's growth prospects, particularly in the US, stating: "This new capital infusion empowers us to scale our brand and to bring our cutting-edge training methods and immersive experiences to millions of guests around the world."
He also conveyed his gratitude towards the investors, noting: "We are incredibly grateful for the trust and confidence of our investors, both old and new, as we unlock our strategic vision with our partner MLS, who share our passion for advancing the beautiful game." Toca Social is making waves in the football entertainment scene, having opened its first venue in London back in 2021. It comes complete with immersive football challenges, drinks, food, and live sport screenings.
They've quickly expanded, adding a new location in Birmingham and striking a deal for further openings within Westfield shopping centres. Stateside, Toca Soccer reigns as the top tech-infused soccer training centre operator in North America, boasting 39 sites and the backing of Major League Soccer.
With heavyweights like Kane and Carlsen already on board as investors, they've now welcomed Leah Williamson, England women's captain, to their investment team. High-tech heavyweight Jim Kavanaugh, part of the ownership team at St Louis City, along with savvy investor Bill Anderson, and software guru Jared Smith of Qualtrics fame, joined in on the Series F funding extravaganza.
Jim Kavanaugh was vocal about Toca's groundbreaking approach: "Toca's unique approach combining personalized, data-driven training with engaging, soccer-themed entertainment has captivated a global audience, from elite athletes to young players discovering the game for the first time. "With a presence in key markets, Toca is poised to redefine the future of soccer on a global scale."
Adding clout to Toca's leadership are industry stars like Erik Anderson, former Topgolf head honcho, US women's football legend Abby Wambach, and high-flyers from Lululemon and the National Women's Soccer League gracing its board.