What is Baller League? Why are KSI, Lineker & Terry involved?
Social media has been abuzz with talk of a new football league over the past 24 hours. What is Baller League? And why is there so much intrigue?
Influencers and former professional footballers have teamed up to launch UK and American versions of Baller League in 2025.
The six-a-side format was set up in Germany by entrepreneur Felix Starck alongside footballers Mats Hummels and Lukas Podolski, and is now heading to the UK and US.
KSI, who has 24.8 million YouTube subscribers, will be president of the UK version with streamer IShowSpeed named as president of the American league.
Football legends Gary Lineker, John Terry and Luis Figo have been lined up as team managers, while Micah Richards, Alan Shearer, Freddie Ljungberg, Jens Lehmann and Robert Pires have also been signed up as coaches.
"Sport is no longer as easy as just saying 'look, we're here now, come and watch us,' says Starck.
"That's just not how sport works any more. It needs to be exciting, and it needs to be authentic. Those are the two words that we always use at Baller League."
Miniminter and Tobi, both part of YouTube group Sidemen, plus streamer AngryGinge are set to try their hand at management.
Former Barcelona and Brazil playmaker Ronaldinho and IShowSpeed are the only two people to have been confirmed for the US version so far.
Where did Baller League originate?
Starck and former Germany internationals Hummels and Podolski started the Baller League in their home country in 2023, with two seasons already completed.
The competition began in a disused plane hanger in Cologne and games were streamed live on online platform Twitch.
Much like the UK version, some big names offered up their services - including former Germany international Christoph Kramer and Juventus forward Alisha Lehmann.
Switzerland international Lehmann coached Streets United to victory in the inaugural season.
How will Baller League UK work?
Baller League UK is due to begin on 24 March 2025 and will take place every Monday for 11 weeks until 2 June on indoor football pitches at Copper Box Arena, London, with 12 teams competing.
The top four teams in the league will qualify for the play-offs in mid-June, with two semi-finals and a final to decide a champion.
Trials will take place in London and Manchester, with recently retired professionals, futsal players, free agents and released academy players among those eligible to play.
Each match will be live streamed, with YouTuber Chunkz hosting a weekly show.
Baller League has been likened to Gerard Pique's Kings League in Spain.
This is not the first time we have seen social media personalities latch on to a sport.
Influencers dipped their toe into boxing in 2018, with KSI meeting Joe Weller in an amateur contest - and interest has skyrocketed over the past six years.
Misfits Boxing, a promotion headlined by KSI, hosts regular pay-per-view events with social media influencers and sportspeople competing.
Former UFC fighter Darren Till takes on Love Island star Tommy Fury on a Misfits card in Manchester in January.
Baller League is hoping to follow that same format - with a mix of athletes and internet personalities attempting to draw in a new audience.
What are the rules in Baller League UK?
- Each half will last 15 minutes
- Each team will have a squad of 12 players
- Players to earn a fee of £400 per game
- Games will be played in a six-a-side format on a smaller indoor pitch
- 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
- MLS-style one v one penalties
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