June 4 – Shopping mall developers Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) and football training equipment supplier TOCA Football (TOCA) have announced a partnership to open multiple TOCA Social venues throughout Europe.
TOCA will start by expanding its European portfolio and its TOCA Social concept that mixes a dining experience with its ball machine training equipment, with a spot at two of the continent’s busiest shopping centres.
Planned to open in 2025, TOCA will occupy a 3,495-sqm space at Westfield London and a 2,400-sqm space in the recently expanded Westfield CNIT in La Défense, Paris. They expect to announce additional locations in the future.
“Building off the huge success of TOCA Social at London’s O2, we are delighted to partner with URW to bring this one-of-a-kind soccer experience, which transforms the world’s largest sport, to a global audience,” said Erik Anderson, TOCA co-chairman and founder and CEO of WestRiver Group.
TOCA Social currently operates at The O2 in London, Which TOCA says has delivered strong profitability, attracting over 300,000 visitors in 2023.
“Our shared commitment to innovation and creating unforgettable experiences will shape the future of how people engage with soccer throughout Europe, the world’s largest soccer market,” added Alex Harman, TOCA Social President.
TOCA has received investment from England captain Harry Kane, world chess champion Magnus Carlsen and holds England Women’s captain Leah Williamson and US Women’s National Team sisters Alyssa and Gisele Thompson as stakeholders.
Anne-Sophie Sancerre, chief customer and retail officer at URW, added: “Experience-led sectors are growing within our portfolio. Our partnership with TOCA allows us to bring this innovative, first-ever entertainment concept to Continental Europe, continuing to provide the unique experiences which customers expect from Westfield shopping centres.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1717517180labto1717517180ofdlr1717517180owedi1717517180sni@g1717517180niwe.1717517180yrrah1717517180