TOCA Football, a global sports and entertainment company, is opening its first immersive, soccer-themed entertainment venue, TOCA Social, at the O2 in late 2021.
TOCA Football continues to expand the brand globally, and the news was confirmed by TOCA Football CEO Yoshi Maruyama.
“This is a historic announcement for TOCA Football as we continue to expand our brand globally,” wrote Maruyama. “I am privileged to be working with an innovative team with a shared mission to revolutionize the way everybody plays soccer.
“And to all of my friends in the experiences industry, the desire for great experiences and memories in safe environments will prevail.”
TOCA Social is a new entertainment concept, transforming how visitors meet and play. It is built around accessible and interactive football-based games.
The stylish, 30,000-square-foot venue will give players of all kinds a place to come together, with live events, gaming experiences and F&B.
TOCA partnered with Gensler, the world’s leading design and architecture firm, to develop the world’s first soccer entertainment concept.
Live events, gaming experiences and F&B
“TOCA is revolutionizing the way players and fans around the world will experience soccer, the world’s most popular sport,” said Erik Anderson, co-chairman of TOCA.
“We have assembled a winning team of leaders from the worlds of sports, entertainment and technology to create world-class, authentic, soccer experiences in both training and social settings.”
“The O2 is Europe’s most iconic family leisure and retail destination, welcoming millions of visitors annually from the UK and throughout the world,” said Alex Harman, president of TOCA Social.
“It is the perfect launchpad for our mission to bring the joy of playing soccer to everyone.”
Back in 2017, Lai Sun Group announced a collaboration with Real Madrid Club de Fútbol to create an indoor interactive football experience centre in Hengqin, China.
In 2018, a public vote backed David Beckham’s proposed Miami Freedom Park football development, which will boast a stadium, park, hotel, retail space and public sports grounds.
Former Walt Disney executive Michael Crawford also plans to create the “Disneyland of football” adjacent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.