The MLS has announced a new multi-year partnership with DoorDash, who will become the league’s official on-demand delivery partner, and work with the MLS to launch MLS Next, a new youth development program.

The program will be presented by DoorDash, with the brand to create a US$150,000 annual fund for clubs in the youth soccer system in the US, with six MLS Next clubs to be awarded grants of up to US$25,000 a year to help provide training, equipment, and cover other club costs.

The program will start in the 2022/23 season, with a focus on providing the highest level of training and competition for youth soccer players in the US and Canada, with other commercial partners on board including adidas and Carolina Online at the University of South Carolina.

Outside of the youth focus of the partnership, DoorDash will also receive activations at major MLS events including the All-Star game, MLS Cup, and throughout the eMLS season.

MLS executive vice president of brand alliances and consumer products, Carter Ladd, said: “Major League Soccer is extremely proud to partner with DoorDash – an extraordinary company that shares our passion for innovation and commitment to providing opportunities in the sport of soccer through MLS NEXT.”

“At an incredible time of growth for MLS and the game in the U.S. and Canada, DoorDash will be a dedicated and forward-thinking collaborator with us on initiatives to provide support to future soccer stars and their communities.

“We welcome DoorDash as the official on-demand delivery platform partner of MLS, MLS NEXT, and eMLS, and we look forward to working with them for many years throughout this momentous period for soccer and MLS,” Ladd said.

DoorDash head of brand marketing, David Bornoff, said: “We are proud to partner with Major League Soccer to further connect with the soccer community, while mobilising to activate against our shared values of providing access and empowering local communities.”

“This partnership will further enable us to use our platform and resources to help the next generation of soccer players transcend boundaries, and we look forward to working with MLS to create authentic experiences for fans this season and beyond,” he said.

The partnership announcement is the latest for DoorDash in a recent string of partnership announcements across global sport, including recent announcements with NRL Touch Football and the NBL.