Last week it was announced that a new six-a-side tournament was to begin in early 2025 in the UK, where players such as Ronaldinho, Luis Figo, John Terry, and many more are set to star in an exciting form of the 11-a-side game.

Had you said around five years ago that YouTubers would be starting a football league involving some of the most iconic and well-respected players ever to grace the pitch, not many people would have believed you. However, last week it was announced that this will be the case. 
 
The idea was created in Germany two years ago, and they have since amassed a healthy following on YouTube and Twitch. By bringing the English-speaking world into play, they will achieve a much greater reach – one that has allowed them to attract players of the caliber they have. YouTubers such as KSI and Ishowspeed, along with members of the Sidemen and Beta Squad, have a global reach among Generation Z, adding the likes of Alan Shearer and Gary Linekar will surely attract a more diverse audience, bridging generations and interests.

They announced themselves in amazing fashion, paying homage to possibly the greatest sporting advertisement that has ever existed, Nike’s iconic Joga Bonito clip featuring the Brazil national team playing football at an airport. Watch their version here:

The Rules

“Baller League is all about forward-thinking, aggressive, hyper-exciting football. We’re about creating a version of the game that’s impossible to ignore – thrilling, bold and packed with excitement” said Baller League CEO Felix Starck in an interview with Soccerbible, who started this journey alongside Lukas Podolski and Mats Hummels.

There's a lot of rule changes that render the game more exciting and will have fans glued to their screens. The games will be streamed every Monday where teams will face each other twice in back to back matches. 15 minute halves, where in the last three minutes of each half, a new rule will be implemented at random, which they call gamechangers. For the first half, the following rules will apply:

  • The line: score from behind the offside line and it counts double
  • +1: 1 v 1 with keepers if you score then an extra player comes in, 2 v 2 then 3 v 3
  • Three play: 3 v 3 but no keeper, then 30 seconds to score or the other team gets the ball

In the last three minutes of the game:

  • 1 v 1: no hands first and it's the first one to score 
  • Fast forward: once you get past half way then there is no turning back, a bit like in basketball
  • Fair play: commit a foul and you are red carded

In addition, there are no corners and if the ball goes out of play 3 times off the opposition then a penalty will be awarded. Not just any penalty, but the MLS style 90's penalties where players will have 6 seconds to score a one on one with the goalkeeper. Each week the MVP of the match will be awarded two wildcards, meaning they can draft two football legends to come and play in the next game week.

It's a very exciting concept that plays on football nostalgia and modern, fast-paced gameplay, offering a fresh take on the sport that’s sure to engage both long-time football fans and a younger audience. You can watch the twelve team tournament on YouTube and Twitch starting on 3 March 2025.