Baller League
| Founded | 2024 in Germany |
|---|---|
| Country | Germany United Kingdom United States |
| Number of clubs | 12 |
| Broadcaster(s) | United Kingdom: Sky Sports NOW TV United States: CBS Sports |
| Website | Baller League Germany Baller League UK Baller League US |
| Current: Baller League UK - Season 3 | |
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 March 2026.
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] In September 2025, Baller League USA was formally announced, with the first season to be held in Miami, Florida, initially slated to launch in January 2026 at a purpose-built arena in Tropical Park.[5][6] The US league would later be delayed to March 2026.[7] Baller League would put its German operations on pause in January 2026 in order to focus on the UK, USA and other potential markets.[8]
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][9][10]
- 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 included 12 teams, each managed by a notable figure from sports, entertainment, and social media. The teams and managers from the most recent season (Season 3) were as follows:[11]
| Team | Manager(s) |
|---|---|
| Beton Berlin | Kontra K |
| Calcio Berlin | Nico Heymer, Niklas Levinsohn and Christoph Kröger |
| Eintracht Spandau | Hans Sarpei and HandOfBlood |
| FC Nitro | Nader Jindaoui |
| Golden XI | Florian Neuhaus and Christoph Kramer |
| Gönrgy Allstars | MontanaBlack and Sascha Hellinger |
| Hollywood United | Max Kruse and Jens Knossalla |
| Käfigtiger | Kevin-Prince Boateng and Abdi Rackzman |
| Las Ligas Ladies | Ana Maria Marković, Selina Cerci and Jule Brand |
| Protatos | Lars Holzschneider and Lukas Kutting |
| Streets United | Lukas Podolski and Diyar Acar |
| VFR Zimbos | GamerBrother and 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 (as his team, Hardstuck Royale, quit after the first Baller League Germany season; Trymacs later moved to Kings League Germany). Marco Reus was to also manage a team for Season 4 prior to Baller League Germany's pause.[12]
Results
| Season | Final Four venue | Final | Semi-finalists | Ref | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winners | Score | Runners-up | ||||
| 1 (2024) | PSD Bank Dome, Berlin | Streets United | 7–5 | Calcio Berlin | Las Ligas Ladies and Eintracht Spandau | |
| 2 (2024) | PSD Bank Dome, Berlin | Las Ligas Ladies | 4–3 | Gönrgy Allstars | Beton Berlin and FC Nitro | |
| 3 (2025) | Hangar 7 (Berlin Tempelhof Airport), Berlin | Streets United | 7–1 | Gönrgy Allstars | Calcio Berlin and Hollywood United | |
Baller League UK
Teams and managers
Baller League UK includes 12 teams, each managed by a notable figure from sports, entertainment, and social media. The teams and managers are as follows
| Team | Manager(s) |
|---|---|
| Clutch FC | Chloe Kelly |
| Community FC | N/A[a] |
| Deportrio | Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge |
| Gold Devils | Mark Goldbridge |
| N5 FC | Jens Lehmann |
| NDL FC | Niko Omilana |
| Prime FC | KSI |
| Rukkas FC | Idris Elba |
| SDS FC | Sharky |
| VZN FC | TBJZL |
| Wembley Rangers AFC | Ian Wright and Alan Shearer |
| Yanited | Angryginge |
Former teams
| Team | Manager(s) | Season(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 26ers | John Terry | 1 and 2 (2025–26) |
| FC Rules the World | Clint 419 | 1 (2025) |
| M7 FC | Miniminter | 1 and 2 (2025–26) |
| MVPs United | Alisha Lehmann and Maya Jama | 1 and 2 (2025–26) |
| Santan FC | Dave | 1 (2025) |
| Trebol FC | Luís Figo | 1 (2025) |
Results
| Season | Final Four venue | Final | Semi-finalists | Ref | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winners | Score | Runners-up | ||||
| 1 (2025) | The O2 Arena, London | SDS FC | 4–3 | MVPs United | Deportrio and Yanited | [13] |
| 2 (2025–26) | Copper Box Arena, London | Wembley Rangers AFC | 4–3 | SDS FC | M7 FC and NDL FC | |
Season 1
Season 2
Baller League USA
Baller League USA will consist of 10 teams, each managed by a notable figure or figures from sports, entertainment, and social media. The first eight sets of managers involved in Baller League USA were announced on September 16, 2025.[5] On December 10, 2025, Westcol was announced as a manager; he had previously been in Kings League Americas as co-chairman of West Santos FC.[14]
Teams and managers
| Team | Manager(s) |
|---|---|
| 876 United | Usain Bolt |
| Any Means United | AMP (Kai Cenat, ImDavisss, Duke Dennis, Fanum, Agent 00 and Chrisnxtdoor) |
| Club 360 | Druski |
| For The Win FC | Westcol and Arcángel |
| Glitch FC | xQc |
| M3 FC | Marlon |
| Midnight Wizards | Ronaldinho |
| Showtime FC | Odell Beckham Jr. |
| Speed United | IShowSpeed |
| Super Niños FC | J Balvin and KidSuper |
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.[15]
See also
- Kings League – Spanish counterpart that influenced the Baller League
- de:The Icon League – German five-a-side league like the Baller League
Notes
- ^ Team sourced from the Baller League Community Cup, won by Pathetico Madrid.
References
- ^ "Baller League: Six-a-side competition founded by Podolski and Hummels goes international". Deutsche Welle. 10 March 2025.
- ^ a b c "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "What is the Baller League? Format and rules explained". Talksport. 24 March 2025.
- ^ a b Joseph, Sam (16 September 2025). "Baller League USA to launch in Miami with Ronaldinho and Usain Bolt as managers". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ Young, Gordon (11 November 2025). ""We're not just experimenting, we're scaling": Inside Baller League's Miami move". The Drum. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ Silverman, Alex (5 February 2026). "CBS Sports Golazo Network to stream Baller League USA matches". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
- ^ Dixon, Ed (30 January 2026). "Baller League halts operations in Germany to focus on other markets". SportsPro. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
- ^ "Baller League UK fixtures, schedule, teams, managers and rules plus how to watch or stream on Sky Sports". Sky Sports. 24 March 2025.
- ^ "Baller League UK: YouTubers get better of Premier League legends on touchline". BBC Sport. 1 April 2025. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Ex-Nationalspieler Reus Teammanager in der Baller League". Yahoo Nachrichten (in German). DPA. 10 September 2025. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Estrada, Eduardo (10 December 2025). "Westcol se suma a la Baller League USA". La Sociedad del Contenido (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 December 2025.
- ^ "Baller League gains traction in the UK following its international expansion". BBC Sport. 25 March 2025.