Baller League

Last updated

Baller League
Baller League Logo.svg
Founded2024 in Germany
CountryFlag of Germany.svg Germany
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
Number of clubs12
Broadcaster(s) Sky Sports
NOW TV
Website Baller League Germany
Baller League UK
Current: Baller League UK - Season 1

The Baller League is an indoor six-a-side football competition that originated in Germany in 2024, created by entrepreneur Felix Starck, with backing from professional footballers Mats Hummels and Lukas Podolski. The league combines professional football elements with entertainment, incorporating celebrities, influencers, and ex-professional footballers as managers and players. Following the success of the German edition, the league expanded to the United Kingdom in March 2025.

Contents

History

The Baller League was launched in 2024 in Germany, inspired by the success of the Kings League in Spain. It was conceptualized to merge traditional football with elements of entertainment to appeal to a younger demographic. [1]

Following the German edition's success, major expansions were announced in November 2024, with new editions set to launch in the United Kingdom and the United States in 2025. British YouTuber KSI was named president of the UK edition, while American livestreamer IShowSpeed was appointed president of the US edition. [2] [3] The inaugural UK edition began on 24 March 2025 at London's Copper Box Arena. [4]

Format

The league follows a six-a-side format with 12 teams, each consisting of a 12-player squad selected through a draft system. Matches last 30 minutes, divided into two 15-minute halves. The league also incorporates several unique rules: [4] [2] [5] [6]

The top four teams in the league will qualify for the play-offs, with two semi-finals and a final to decide a champion. [2]

Baller League Germany

Teams and managers

The German Baller League includes 12 teams, each managed by a notable figure from sports, entertainment, and social media. The teams and managers are as follows: [7]

TeamManager(s)
Beton Berlin Flag of Germany.svg Kontra K
Calcio Berlin Flag of Germany.svg Nico Heymer, Flag of Germany.svg Niklas Levinsohn and Flag of Germany.svg Christoph Kröger
Eintracht Spandau Flag of Germany.svg Hans Sarpei and Flag of Germany.svg HandOfBlood  [ de ]
FC Nitro Flag of Germany.svg Nader Jindaoui
Golden XI Flag of Germany.svg Florian Neuhaus and Flag of Germany.svg Christoph Kramer
Gönrgy Allstars Flag of Germany.svg MontanaBlack  [ de ] and Flag of Germany.svg Sascha Hellinger  [ de ]
Hollywood United Flag of Germany.svg Max Kruse and Flag of Germany.svg Jens Knossalla
Käfigtiger Flag of Ghana.svg Kevin-Prince Boateng and Flag of Austria.svg Abdi Rackzman
Las Ligas Ladies Flag of Croatia.svg Ana Maria Marković, Flag of Germany.svg Selina Cerci and Flag of Germany.svg Jule Brand
Protatos Flag of Germany.svg Lars Holzschneider and Flag of Germany.svg Lukas Kutting
Streets United Flag of Germany.svg Lukas Podolski and Flag of Germany.svg Diyar Acar
VFR Zimbos Flag of Germany.svg GamerBrother and Flag of Germany.svg Tisi Schubech

In previous seasons, the following managers were also involved: Alisha Lehmann (later co-manager of MVPs United in Baller League UK), Felix Lobrecht, Abdi Rackzman and Trymacs  [ de ] (as his team, Hardstuck Royale, quit after the first Baller League Germany season; Trymacs later moved to Kings League Germany).[ citation needed ]

Results

SeasonFinal Four venueFinalSemi-finalistsRef
WinnersScoreRunners-up
1 (2024) PSD Bank Dome, Berlin Streets United7–5Calcio BerlinLas Ligas Ladies and Eintracht Spandau[ citation needed ]
2 (2024) PSD Bank Dome, Berlin Las Ligas Ladies4–3Gönrgy AllstarsBeton Berlin and FC Nitro[ citation needed ]
3 (2025)Hangar 7 (Berlin Tempelhof Airport), Berlin Streets United7–1Gönrgy AllstarsCalcio Berlin and Hollywood United[ citation needed ]

Baller League UK

Results

SeasonFinal Four venueFinalSemi-finalistsRef
WinnersScoreRunners-up
1 (2025) The O2 Arena, London SDS FC4–3MVPs UnitedDeportrio and Yanited [8]

Season 1

Reception

The league has been praised for its innovative approach to football and for engaging younger audiences through its combination of entertainment and sport. Its introduction to the UK market has further expanded its global reach and popularity. [9]

See also

References

  1. "Baller League: Six-a-side competition founded by Podolski and Hummels goes international". Deutsche Welle. 10 March 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 "Baller League: KSI, Gary Lineker, Luis Figo & John Terry among names involved in new football league". BBC Sport. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  3. Buckingham, Philip; Stafford-Bloor, Seb (26 November 2024). "What is Baller League, why are KSI and IShowSpeed involved and is it a game-changer?" . The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on 21 March 2025. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  4. 1 2 "What is the Baller League? Format and rules explained". Talksport. 24 March 2025.
  5. "Baller League UK fixtures, schedule, teams, managers and rules plus how to watch or stream on Sky Sports". Sky Sports. 24 March 2025.
  6. "Baller League UK: YouTubers get better of Premier League legends on touchline". BBC Sport. 1 April 2025. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  7. "Baller League 2025: Spieltage, Teams, Manager, Termine und Übertragungen im TV - alle Infos zur dritten Saison". ran.de. 18 March 2025. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  8. SkySports (13 June 2025). "Baller League Final Four LIVE! Scores, results, fixtures as Angry Ginge, Gary Lineker, Alisha Lehmann and more face-off". SkySports. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  9. "Baller League gains traction in the UK following its international expansion". BBC Sport. 25 March 2025.