Next Level Training

What Next Level Training does

Next Level Training (NLT) is a privately held, direct-to-consumer soccer training company founded in 2008 by Aaron Byrd in Michigan. It operates 9 indoor full-field turf training facilities across Michigan (Oxford, Bloomfield Hills, Novi, Sterling Heights, Flint) and, as of 2025, Columbus, Ohio (Powell and Delaware). The company delivers progressive technical soccer training for youth players ages 6+ as well as college and professional athletes, using small class sizes (capped at 14 participants), position-specific functional programming, and a curriculum built around passing, trapping, dribbling, and shooting. Its College/Pro Training offering is invitation-only and is credited with developing 750+ college/professional athletes and 1,000+ athletes including Olympians and World Cup players.

NLT's product portfolio spans core training classes (Technical, Positional, Team/Group, Private, College/Pro), supplemental add-on modules (Ball Mastery, Opposite Foot, Shooting & Finishing, 1v1 Specialist, Position-Specific Functional, Specialized Clinics), seasonal Summer Camps, and a recently introduced NLT Football sub-brand. Digital products (PDF-based Online Training Programs like Partner Passing Program) and apparel are sold through NextLevelShop.com under an Under Armour partnership. Pricing is per-session or per 8-week term (e.g., $35 drop-in, $245-$280 for an 8-week session, $80/hr private, $2,400 flat-rate team session up to 18 players), with additional revenue from Facility Rental and Party Rental services.

The business is fundamentally a services operation. Customers register via the website and Google Forms; acquisition relies on word-of-mouth referrals, parent testimonials, Instagram content, and the visible alumni network of professional players. The company is founder-led by Aaron Byrd, has 38 employees, no parent company, no disclosed institutional investors, and no public listing. Geographic expansion to Ohio in 2025 is the first out-of-state push.

Name

Next Level Training

Legal name

Next Level Training

Website

https://next-leveltraining.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Next Level Training is a privately held, direct-to-consumer soccer training company founded in 2008, operating 9 indoor turf facilities across Michigan and Ohio. It delivers progressive technical and positional training to youth players, college athletes, and professionals via small-group classes, private lessons, camps, and digital products.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Soccer Training Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Single-Sport Skill Academies (Soccer, Basketball, Tennis, etc.) (MPAKAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Goalkeeper/Pitching/Position-Specialty Training Programs (MPAKAJAF)

Keywords

• Youth soccer training
• Athletic skill development
• Private sports coaching
• Soccer camps and clinics
• Sports facility rental

Headquarters

HQ city

Bloomfield Hills

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Class Sessions: Per-session drop-in classes at $35/ea, full 8-week session at $245-$280/class depending on payment timing. Individual players register for age-grouped technical, shooting, positional, or specialized training classes.
2. Private Training: Individual private lessons at $80/hr for players with specific skill focus needs. Small group private lessons also available.
3. Team/Group Training: Flat rate of $2,400 for up to 18 participants for 8-week team training sessions. Teams receive the same technical development programming used in individual classes.
4. Summer Camps: Multi-day summer camps running Monday-Friday 9am-1pm, open to ages 6+. Pricing varies by camp; team/group discounts available for 10+ participants.
5. Facility Rental: Training facilities available for rent for events and activities. Contact for rates and availability.
6. Party Rental: Birthday party hosting at training facilities with field space for activities and lobby space for food/presents/cake.
7. Online Training Programs: PDF-based training programs like the Partner Passing Program sold through NextLevelShop.com. Approximately 20-25 minute home training sessions.
8. Apparel Sales: Under Armour partnership enables sale of custom training gear and streetwear at all locations and via NextLevelShop.com.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Next Level Training is a soccer training company founded in 2008 by Aaron Byrd, operating nine physical training facilities across Michigan (7) and Ohio (2). The company delivers soccer instruction and skill development services for youth players, including technical and positional training, team/group training, private lessons, college/pro-level training, summer camps, specialized clinics, and online training programs. It also offers facility rental, party rental, scholarship referrals, and apparel.

Product overview

Next Level Training (NLT) is a soccer training company offering a portfolio of in-person and digital training products. The core offerings include Technical Training, Positional Training, Team/Group Training, College/Pro Training, Private Training, and Summer Camps, with specialized add-on modules such as Ball Mastery, Opposite Foot Training, Shooting & Finishing, 1v1 Specialist, and Position-Specific Functional Classes. The company also provides Supplementary services including Facility Rental, Party Rental, and Scholarship Referrals, plus an Online Training Programs digital product for remote athletes. Founded in 2008 and expanded to Columbus, Ohio in 2025, NLT operates multiple training facilities in Michigan (Oxford, Bloomfield Hills, Novi, Sterling Heights) and Ohio (Columbus).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Technical Training Skill-focused soccer instruction covering ball control, dribbling, passing, shooting, and other fundamental technical abilities for youth players.
• Positional Training Role-specific soccer training tailored to positions such as goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, and forward, helping players develop the skills and tactical understanding required for their position.
• Team/Group Training Group soccer training sessions designed for organized teams, clubs, and groups of players seeking collective skill development and team-level practice.
• College/Pro Training Advanced soccer training designed for high-level players preparing for college recruitment, college play, or professional-level competition.
• Private Training One-on-one personalized soccer coaching sessions tailored to the individual player's development needs and goals.
• Summer Camps Multi-day summer soccer camp programs offering intensive instruction, games, and athletic development for youth players during school summer break.
• Specialized Clinics Targeted, short-duration soccer clinics focused on specific skills, techniques, or developmental areas (e.g., finishing, goalkeeping, speed and agility).
• Online Training Programs Remote/virtual soccer training programs that allow players to access instruction and training content outside of the physical facility locations.
• Facility Rental Rental of the company's indoor soccer training facilities to outside groups, teams, or organizations for their own practices, events, or activities.
• Party Rental Rental of the company's facilities for hosting private parties and celebrations, leveraging the athletic venue for youth and family events.
• Scholarship Referrals Referral services connecting youth soccer players with college scholarship opportunities, supporting the college recruitment pathway.
• Apparel Sale of company-branded athletic apparel and merchandise, serving as a branded product line for players and supporters.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 750 college and pro athletes developed through training program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Under ArmourcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Under Armour enables NLT to offer branded training gear and streetwear to customers. Under Armour is a premier athletic apparel brand, and this partnership provides credibility and quality products for NLT's retail operations.
• MVH VetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor of Next Level Training. Provides financial or in-kind support to the organization.
• Hardrock StoneworksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor of Next Level Training.
• Nolan OrthominorGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze sponsor of Next Level Training.
• Stransky and CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze sponsor of Next Level Training.
• Traaci CounselingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze sponsor of Next Level Training.
• Bigelman (Joe Bigelman - John Adams Mortgage)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze sponsor of Next Level Training.
• ASH (Athletic Stability and Health)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze sponsor of Next Level Training.
• Liberty Park (Columbus, Ohio)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining facility partnership in Powell, Ohio for Columbus location operations. One of two Columbus-area facilities used for NLT training programs.
• Blast FC Fields (Columbus, Ohio)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining facility partnership in Delaware, Ohio for Columbus location operations. One of two Columbus-area facilities used for NLT training programs.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• EXOS (formerly Athletes' Performance): National sports performance training and physical therapy provider serving athletes of all levels. Comparable in performance training for athletes and premium positioning, but multi-sport and more corporate/commercial in delivery model.
• IMG Academy: Large multi-sport boarding and day school in Florida with elite soccer pathway including college placement. Comparable as a high-end youth athletic development brand targeting college-bound athletes, but broader (multi-sport) and with much larger scale.

Direct peers

• TOCA Football: Operates soccer-specific training centers in the U.S. offering private lessons, classes, camps, and team training with proprietary tech (ball machines). Directly comparable in target market (youth/recreational soccer players), service mix, and facility-based delivery model.
• Coerver Coaching: Global soccer coaching method and academy operator with U.S. licensee network running ball-mastery and technical training programs. Comparable in curriculum-driven technical training for youth players and franchise-style delivery.
• RISE Soccer Academy: Soccer-specific academy offering technical training, camps, and team programs in regional U.S. markets. Closely comparable in positioning as a premium supplemental soccer training provider with structured curricula and competitive player pipeline.
• UK Elite Soccer: U.S. operator of soccer camps, clinics, and team training programs for youth players. Direct competitor in supplemental youth soccer instruction with similar camp-plus-clinics delivery format.
• Soccer Shots: Youth soccer program for ages 2-8 operating through franchises, schools, and community partnerships. Comparable supplemental soccer instruction model targeting children and parents, though focused on younger ages than NLT.
• Challenger Sports: U.S.-based soccer coaching and camp operator (formerly Challenger British Soccer) running camps, clinics, and team training nationwide. Comparable youth-soccer training product mix and seasonal camp-driven model, though primarily coach-franchise rather than facility-based.

Emerging players

• Parisi Speed School: Youth sports performance training franchise specializing in speed, strength, and athletic development. Comparable franchise-style supplemental youth training model, but focuses on athletic performance rather than sport-specific skill.

Others

• Detroit City FC: Professional USL Championship soccer club based in Detroit with several NLT alumni on its roster. Not a direct competitor but a key ecosystem partner/feeder organization that showcases NLT's player development outcomes to local families.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/nltpodcast
• Instagraminstagram.com/nltsoccer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/next-level-training-mi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Next Level Training