What Champion System does

Champion System is a privately held custom athletic apparel manufacturer founded in 2004 and headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, operating through 15 regional storefronts across 50 countries. The company designs, produces, and distributes made-to-order cycling, running, and triathlon apparel across three performance tiers (Apex premium, Performance mid-tier, Tech entry-level), plus accessories, casual wear, and a niche curling line, using proprietary fabric technologies (CS Vale, CS Glide, CS Ozone, CS AirLite, CS Tech, CS Agile, CS Carbon, CS Winter Shield) and sublimation printing. Champion System serves a fragmented base of approximately 60,000 clubs, teams, and individuals globally, anchored by its Team Stores service (dedicated white-label storefronts for clubs) and a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform powered by Shopify, with a separate corporate events sales motion serving enterprise accounts.

The business model is built on made-to-order custom apparel with no inventory carried: orders carry a 10-unit minimum (5 units for reorders using a prior design), with unit prices ranging from approximately $94 for entry-level Tech jerseys up to $335 for Apex Winter Jackets, and free shipping above $100. Champion System supplements its direct channels with a co-development partnership with UCI WorldTour team UAE Team Emirates, technology partnerships with eVent fabrics, Elastic Interface, and REPREVE, and Bluesign-certified European mill sourcing (Eschler, Schoeller, Miti). The company is a Certified B Corporation and emphasizes sustainability, offering a lifetime warranty, crash replacement within 12 months, and fitness flexibility for size changes.

Champion System is a women-owned, privately held business with no disclosed funding rounds, no parent company, and no public revenue disclosure. Its competitive positioning rests on a multi-decade track record (1.5M+ garments produced), a globally distributed Team Stores ecosystem that lowers customer acquisition cost through club-driven word-of-mouth, and a sustainability/B Corp credential that resonates with both enterprise customers (e.g., Ernst & Young for corporate events) and individual athletes. The model is capital-efficient by design — outsourced manufacturing, on-demand production, and a self-serve design platform — supporting steady operational compounding rather than venture-style scaling.

Name

Champion System

Legal name

Champion System US

Website

https://champ-sys.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Champion System is a privately held, made-to-order custom athletic apparel manufacturer serving cycling, running, and triathlon clubs and individuals across 50 countries through Shopify-powered e-commerce and dedicated Team Stores, with proprietary fabrics validated by UAE Team Emirates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Athletic Apparel

NAICS

Sporting Goods Retailers (45911), Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing (33992)

SIC

Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600), Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)

akta.pro primary industry

Team Sports Equipment & Uniforms Retail (CRAMABAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sporting Goods, Outdoor & Fitness Marketplaces (CRAFABAI)

Keywords

• Custom cycling apparel
• Sublimation printing apparel
• Team uniform customization
• Custom triathlon apparel
• Made-to-order sportswear

Headquarters

HQ city

Lincoln

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Apparel Sales: One-time purchase model for custom athletic apparel including cycling, running, triathlon, and casual gear. Orders are made to order with no inventory carried. Minimum order of 10 units with flexible mix and match options across product lines.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Champion System designs and manufactures made-to-order custom athletic apparel — cycling jerseys and bib shorts, running tops and bottoms, triathlon suits, casual wear, and accessories — sold directly to consumers, sports clubs, and corporate customers through a Shopify-powered e-commerce store. The offering is organized into three performance tiers (Apex premium, Performance mid-tier, Tech entry-level) with proprietary fabric technologies (CS Vale™, CS Glide™, CS Ozone™, etc.), minimum 10-unit orders, and a lifetime warranty. Additional services include dedicated Team Stores for clubs and corporate event apparel with branded customization.

Product overview

Champion System is a custom athletic apparel company offering made-to-order cycling, running, and triathlon gear through three performance tiers: Apex (premium elite), Performance (mid-tier), and Tech (entry-level). The product portfolio includes jerseys, bib shorts, jackets, vests, skinsuits, and accessories across all three sports categories, plus casual apparel and curling-specific gear. The company provides customization services allowing customers to add team colors and logos to existing templates or create custom designs. Additional services include dedicated team stores for clubs, corporate event merchandise, and a custom design and ordering platform. All garments are made to order with no inventory carried, and the company offers a lifetime warranty, crash replacement, and size guarantee on all products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Apex Cycling Collection Premium-tier cycling apparel — jerseys, bib shorts, jackets, vests, and skinsuits built with advanced aerodynamic fabrics (CS Vale, CS Glide, CS Ozone) and tested at the UCI WorldTour level. Aimed at elite and competitive road cyclists seeking top-tier performance.
• Performance Cycling Collection Mid-tier cycling apparel — jerseys, bib shorts, jackets, and race suits designed for enthusiasts wanting a balance of performance features and value.
• Tech Cycling Collection Entry-level cycling apparel — jerseys, bib shorts, and wind jackets offering essential technical features at accessible price points for beginners and casual riders.
• Custom Running Apparel Complete made-to-order running apparel range — run tops, singlets, training shirts, shorts, skirts, tights, and weather-resistant jackets across Apex, Performance, and Tech tiers. For running clubs and individual runners.
• Custom Triathlon Apparel Made-to-order triathlon apparel — one-piece tri suits (Apex+ ZERO Aero, Performance+ VELOCITY, Tech+ EDGE), tri tops, and tri bottoms with quick-dry and chamois features for swim-bike-run transitions. For triathlon clubs and individual triathletes.
• Casual Apparel Collection Casual off-the-bike apparel — tees (Vancouver Long Tee, Locarno Tee, Tech Mechanic Shirt), polos (Brooklyn Polo), hoodies (Performance Pullover Hoodie), and casual jackets (Copenhagen Inter Jacket, Bremen Windbreaker). For teams, clubs, and individuals wanting casual co-branded gear.
• Custom Curling Apparel Specialized curling apparel — Performance+ Curling Jacket and Apex+ Curling Top designed for the sport. For curling clubs and teams seeking custom-made curling kit.
• Cycling and Athletic Accessories Cycling and athletic accessories — arm warmers, knee warmers, caps (Performance Cap, Euro Cap, Winter Cap), gloves, aero socks, shoe covers, base layers, headwear (bandanas), and custom race numbers. Custom minimum 300 for race numbers; accessory-only orders require 50 pieces.
• Team Stores Service Dedicated white-label online storefronts for clubs, groups, and leagues with simplified member ordering, sizing charts, and multiple payment options. Targeted at amateur and competitive sports clubs that need an easy repeat-ordering channel for members.
• Corporate Events Apparel Service Custom branded apparel for corporate events, team-building activities, and company merchandise — branded hats, tees, and corporate attire. Sold via direct sales outreach and quote requests to enterprise and charity customers (e.g., Ernst & Young).
• Custom Apparel Design & Ordering Service Online custom design and ordering service allowing customers to upload their own artwork, logos, and colors or work with Champion System's design squad to create personalized apparel. Includes downloadable Adobe Illustrator design templates. Self-serve via the Shopify storefront with a 10-unit minimum order (5 units on reorders using a previous design).

Quantifiable outcome

• 20+ years of custom apparel manufacturing experience
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• UAE Team EmiratescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional UCI WorldTour cycling team that has tested and used Champion System products since 2018. Team provides feedback for product development including bib shorts, jerseys, and skinsuits. Products developed with the team have been used in Grand Tours including Tour de France.
• eVent® FabricscoreTechnology or IntegrationFabric technology partner providing Direct Venting air permeable membrane technology for waterproof and breathable cycling jackets including Apex Winter Jacket and Apex Wind Jacket.
• ELASTIC INTERFACE™coreTechnology or IntegrationPremium chamois supplier providing Italian Road 'Performance Force' Chamois for Apex Zero Bib Shorts, recognized as market leaders for premium cycling chamois.
• Bluesign® System Mills (Eschler, Schoeller, Miti)coreTechnology or IntegrationEuropean ethical textile mills providing Bluesign® certified fabrics. The Bluesign® system eliminates harmful substances from manufacturing and sets standards for environmentally friendly and safe production.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Jakroo: Global custom cycling apparel manufacturer with strong international reach across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Competes head-to-head with Champion System in custom team kits for cycling, running, and triathlon.
• Rapha: Premium global cycling apparel brand with strong brand-led positioning and growing custom team apparel offering. Comparable target customer (performance-minded cyclists) and premium tier overlap with Champion System's Apex line.
• Pactimo: US-based custom cycling and team apparel manufacturer offering made-to-order jerseys, bib shorts, and skinsuits for clubs and corporate customers. Directly competes with Champion System in the custom team apparel channel.
• Assos: Swiss premium cycling apparel maker known for high-end bib shorts and jerseys. Comparable on premium technical positioning and pro-team endorsements, serving overlapping enthusiast customers.
• Louis Garneau: Canadian cycling apparel and equipment brand offering performance jerseys, bibs, and custom team apparel. Overlaps with Champion System on cycling product range and team kit customization.
• Santini Cycling: Italian cycling apparel manufacturer with custom team kit capabilities and partnerships with pro teams. Comparable on custom team apparel model and premium cycling positioning.
• Voler Apparel: California-based custom cycling apparel maker specializing in team kits and sublimated jerseys for clubs, events, and corporate customers. Operates a similar made-to-order model to Champion System.
• Primal Wear: Custom cycling apparel manufacturer producing sublimated jerseys, bibs, and casual wear for teams and clubs. Closely comparable on product category, customization model, and target customer.
• Castelli: Premium Italian cycling apparel brand offering high-performance jerseys, bib shorts, and skinsuits with custom team options. Comparable on product category and premium positioning, though more skewed to off-the-shelf retail.

Broad incumbents

• Pearl Izumi: Established cycling and running apparel brand offering performance apparel across multiple categories. Comparable in cycling/running product overlap but operates a broader off-the-shelf model with less customization depth.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/championsystem
• Instagraminstagram.com/champsys
• Xx.com/champsysintl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/champ-sys

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Champion System