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 and to the United States in January 2026.
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 YouTuberKSI was named president of the UK edition, while American livestreamerIShowSpeed 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] In September 2025, Baller League USA was formally announced, with the first season to be held in Miami beginning in January 2026. The first 7 sets of managers announced included the AMP streamer collective (including Kai Cenat), Ronaldinho, NFL wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt.
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]
Gamechanger: Each team has the opportunity to introduce a "Gamechanger" card before kickoff, allowing the implementation of special in-game modifications.
Rule twists: Rule twists will be introduced during the final three minutes of each half, including three v three, long-range goals counting as double and goalkeepers not allowed to use their hands.
Wildcards: Managers also get two wildcards per game week, which means they can bring anyone to feature in their team for that match.
Corners: There are no corners - instead, if the ball goes off an opposing player and behind the goal three times, a penalty is given.
Penalty: If a penalty is awarded, a player will do a MLS-style one v one penalties against the goalkeeper with only six seconds on the clock to try and score.
White flag: Managers can throw in a white flag to challenge a refereeing decision.
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]
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]
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
Kings League – Spanish counterpart that influenced the Baller League
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Germany 
United Kingdom 
United States 
