Mikel Arteta and Under Armour Challenge the Next Generation of London’s Athletes

UA Next London may be concluding it’s ninth season of competition, having tested over 12,500 young athletes, but this is a new era for Under Armour’s London athlete program. The opportunity is huge – book a test at the UA Next Academy in Battersea and you could be competing for a 12 month Under Armour contract, supporting you on your journey to be the best athlete you can be. And who’s been brought in to decide if you make it? The one and only, Mikel Arteta.

UA Next London has gone through an evolution, in part inspired by Mikel’s own philosophy. It’s not enough to be technically the best or physically the best, there’s one key area that separates the good athletes from the great ones – and that’s their mentality. But truly testing the mentality of an athlete is tough, you need to put them under immense pressure, take them out of their comfort zone and see if they thrive. This is what the first UA Next Camp was designed to do for London’s best young athletes.

Kicking off by UFC fighter and Under Armour athlete Paddy 'the Baddy' Pimblett, who faced off with each of the UA Next competitors one by one, the inaugural UA Next Camp pushed these 12 young athletes to their limits, and then beyond them. From football pitches to basketball courts, to our bespoke UA Next base camp and even to the streets of London itself, these athletes were surprised at every twist and turn – never knowing what was coming next or what they were being tested on. The drama, tension and emotion was palpable as they all competed, sometimes as teammates and other times as rivals, for that ultimate prize… the 12-month UA Next contracts.

It was only once the last challenge concluded that the final surprise was revealed – it wouldn’t be the UA Next coaches awarding the contracts, it would be Under Armour global ambassador Mikel Arteta. Having diligently reviewed their performance, consulted with the coaching team and listened in to powerful and emotive speeches from each of the athletes, the decision was in Mikel’s hands. From over 1500 athletes who tested in Season 9, to 12 athletes invited to Camp, and finally 4 athletes who’ll earn their UA Next contracts.