The18
The18 is a digital soccer media platform that publishes news, videos, entertainment, educational content, and gear recommendations to soccer fans globally, monetized through advertising, sponsored content, and brand partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersBoulder, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What The18 does
The18 is a digital sports media platform focused exclusively on soccer, operating from Boulder, Colorado, and serving general consumer audiences. The platform publishes soccer news, entertainment, videos, and educational content across five content verticals: News, Videos, Entertainment, Learning, and Gear. Its flagship product is the the18.com website complemented by a TikTok presence and an active multi-channel social footprint on Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube under the unified @the18soccer handles, plus an email newsletter and RSS feed. The platform also hosts a large portfolio of original video and podcast series — branded as The18 Originals — covering uplifting stories, news recaps, fan commentary, records, educational explainers, fan culture, Mexican soccer, athlete nutrition, and World Cup content, as well as a dedicated soccer sub-brand called The18 Futbol.
The underlying technology is a standard digital publishing stack delivering free, English-language content accessible globally with no paywall, mobile app presence is not disclosed, and no proprietary AI/ML capability is referenced. Distribution is content-led and top-of-funnel, relying on organic social engagement, search, and direct newsletter subscriptions. Notable current editorial focus is the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with coverage spanning USMNT, USWNT, MLS, European leagues, and international competitions.
The18 makes money primarily through advertising, sponsored content, and brand partnerships. Revenue figures and investor names are not publicly disclosed. The company is privately held, was founded in 2014, has 1-10 employees, and disclosed two prior funding rounds (October 2015, $1M; March 2017, $2M) for a total of approximately $3M. Listed commercial partners include the National Peanut Board, with sponsored editorial pieces such as the Bueno Coffee Club feature indicating a direct-sold sponsor model layered on top of programmatic advertising.
The18 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The18
- Legal name
- The18
- Website
- https://the18.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The18 is a digital soccer media platform that publishes news, videos, entertainment, educational content, and gear recommendations to soccer fans globally, monetized through advertising, sponsored content, and brand partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The18 industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sports Digital Media
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621), Spectator Sports (71121)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sports Live Streaming Platforms (MPACACAF)
Keywords
Where The18 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Boulder
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
The18 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
The18 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The18 is a digital soccer media platform that publishes soccer news, original video series, entertainment features, educational content, and gear recommendations. The site bundles multiple content verticals (World Cup, News, Entertainment, Videos, Learning, Gear) under a single destination branded "Where Soccer Lives," supported by a sub-brand called The18 Futbol. Content is free to consumers and monetized through advertising, sponsored editorial, and brand partnerships.
Product overview
The18 is a digital soccer media platform offering a unified content ecosystem across news, videos, entertainment, learning, and gear categories. The core platform delivers original video series (The18 Originals including UP, Tea Time With David, Bitter Englishman, The Most Show, The Beautiful Game Explained, Fanaticos Locos, The Corner, Talking El Tri, Flavors of Football, World Cup Bracket Challenge Show, and Fueling Champions), breaking news coverage, entertainment features, educational content, and equipment recommendations. The platform also features a sub-brand called The18 Futbol for dedicated soccer coverage. The offering is structured as a single media platform with multiple content verticals rather than a modular software product.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The18 Futbol: A sub-brand of The18 focused on soccer/football content
Products and services
- The18 Website and Mobile Platform
Companies that use The18
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
The18 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The18 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The18 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- CBS Sports Golazo Network: CBS's soccer-focused digital and streaming brand covering Champions League, USMNT/USWNT, and World Cup. Comparable to The18 in targeting American soccer audiences with editorial, video, and original show formats.
- Bleacher Report: Large multi-sport digital media brand (owned by Turner/WBD) with significant soccer vertical coverage. Comparable to The18 as a sports content publisher monetized through ads and branded partnerships, but at vastly greater scale across multiple sports.
- The Athletic: Subscription-supported sports digital media outlet with deep soccer coverage including World Cup and European leagues. Comparable to The18 in editorial coverage of soccer, though differentiated by subscription model and broader sports portfolio.
- ESPN FC: ESPN's dedicated soccer property covering MLS, USMNT/USWNT, European leagues, and World Cup. Comparable to The18 in content categories and US soccer focus, but with the backing of a major incumbent broadcaster.
Direct peers
- OneFootball: Soccer-focused digital media platform and app delivering news, live scores, videos, and editorial content. Comparable to The18 in niche focus on soccer content across multiple content formats and channels.
- Goal.com: One of the largest globally-focused digital soccer media brands covering news, videos, transfers, and gear. Direct comparable to The18 in offering a soccer-only content destination with advertising and sponsorship monetization.
- 90min: Digital soccer publisher producing editorial, video, and social content for global football fans. Closely mirrors The18's mix of news, entertainment, video, and original programming targeted at soccer consumers.
- World Soccer Talk: US-based digital media outlet focused on soccer broadcasting schedules, news, and how-to-watch content. Comparable to The18 in targeting American soccer fans with editorial and video content monetized via ads.
Regional players
- MLSSoccer.com: Official Major League Soccer digital property delivering news, video, and editorial coverage of MLS. Comparable to The18's MLS vertical as a soccer-specific digital destination for North American audiences.
Emerging players
- Stars and Stripes FC: SB Nation's dedicated USMNT/USWNT community and editorial site. Directly comparable to The18 in niche editorial coverage of US national teams, supported by a larger sports network's publishing infrastructure.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
The18 social profiles
Digital presenceThe18 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The18 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
The18 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The18 M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The18
What does The18 do?
The18 is a digital soccer media platform that publishes soccer news, original video series, entertainment features, educational content, and gear recommendations. The site bundles multiple content verticals (World Cup, News, Entertainment, Videos, Learning, Gear) under a single destination branded "Where Soccer Lives," supported by a sub-brand called The18 Futbol. Content is free to consumers and monetized through advertising, sponsored editorial, and brand partnerships.
Is The18 a public or private company?
The18 is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was The18 founded?
The18 was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The18 based?
The18 is headquartered in Boulder, United States, in the North America region.
Who are The18's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are CBS Sports Golazo Network, Bleacher Report, The Athletic and ESPN FC. Direct peers are OneFootball, Goal.com, 90min and World Soccer Talk. MLSSoccer.com is listed as a regional player. Stars and Stripes FC is listed as an emerging player.
Does The18 have an API?
No public API is recorded for The18.
What industry is The18 in?
The18's product category is Sports Digital Media. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPACACAF, Sports Live Streaming Platforms. Its NAICS code is 51621.