Football is constantly evolving, and with each passing year, more interesting variants emerge. One of them is Baller League, which is already attracting attention worldwide. After two successful seasons in Germany, Baller League debuted in the United Kingdom in 2025 as well, featuring internet stars. Check out what Baller League is, what its rules are, and which teams are participating in Baller League.
Baller League – what is it?
Baller League is an indoor six-a-side football competition that was created in Germany in 2024. It was conceived by entrepreneur Felix Starck with support from Mats Hummels and Lukas Podolski. The direct inspiration came from the highly popular Kings League in Spain.
What makes Baller League stand out?
The original idea behind Baller League is to redefine football. This new variant combines traditional play with modern solutions designed to attract younger audiences. The format emphasizes fast, aggressive, and highly entertaining football, featuring unique rule variations that add significant excitement.
- Year and place of foundation: 2024, Germany
- Leagues: German, English
- Number of teams per league: 12
- Broadcast: Sky Sports, NOW TV
During its debut seasons in Germany, Baller League built a solid fanbase. Just one year after its launch, the six-a-side football also debuted in the United Kingdom, with plans for an inauguration in the United States as well. The project's expansion is supported by major social media figures, such as YouTuber KSI, who serves as president of the British league, and YouTuber/streamer IShowSpeed – president of the American league. The excitement is further amplified by the fact that football icon Ronaldinho was announced as the first manager of the American edition.
Baller League – rules
Baller League is played in a six-a-side format with 12 teams, each consisting of 12 players selected via draft. Matches last 30 minutes, divided into two 15-minute halves. Several unique rules are applied:
- Gamechanger – each team can play a “Gamechanger” card before the match starts, allowing special modifications to the game
- Rule twists – rule changes can be introduced in the last three minutes of each half. These include, among others:
- 3 vs 3 play
- long-range goals counting as double
- goalkeepers banned from using their hands
- Wildcards – managers receive two wildcard slots per match week, allowing them to bring in any player to their team
- Corners – there are no corner kicks. If the ball bounces off an opponent three times and crosses the goal line, a penalty is awarded
- Penalty – when a penalty is awarded, the player takes it in MLS-style one-on-one against the goalkeeper, with only six seconds to score
- White flag – managers can raise a white flag to challenge a referee's decision
The top four teams in the league qualify for the play-off stage, which includes two semi-finals and a final.
How does the draft work in Baller League?
If you're a fan of American sports, you're probably familiar with draft systems like those in the NFL, NBA, or NHL, where teams take turns selecting the best candidates.
The Baller League draft operates on the same principle as in American sports. The 2025 draft for the English league took place on March 10, 2025, with over 160 players in the pool, of which only 144 made it into the final squads.
Each player was scouted, evaluated, and ranked, and managers could use detailed statistics to decide who should join their team.
Before the draft, each manager answered 12 rounds of number-based questions. The person closest to the correct answer picked first, while the one furthest from the correct answer picked last, adding a strategic element to the selection process.
Baller League vs Kings League – differences
Football fans may notice similarities between Baller League and other modern competitions, such as Gerard Piqué's Kings League. Both variants offer a fresh take on the traditional game, but Baller League stands out with its six-a-side format, shorter match duration (15 minutes per half), and a stronger emphasis on greater dynamism.
Baller League – broadcast
All Baller League UK matches can be watched on the Sky Sports Mix HD channel or on the Twitch.TV platform.