Popular YouTube stars KSI and IShowSpeed recently announced a new take on traditional football, calling it BallerLeague, find out more about it below along with its rules and players
IShowSpeed and KSI, along with the Sidemen, recently featured in a trailer for the BallerLeague released on November 25, 2024.
What is the Baller League as it comes to the US and UK after Germany, rules, format, players list, managers, pitch size, owner and live stream telecast
The six-a-side format was set up in Germany by entrepreneur Felix Starck alongside footballers Mats Hummels and Lukas Podolski.
During an interview with BallerLeague CEO, Felix Starck, he stated that BallerLeague is the “UFC of Football.”
Starck added that he wants to “Americanize” the “slowly dying sport” by making it “entertaining again while approaching ‘hero’ storytelling.”
BallerLeague explained
The BallerLeague, which first took place in Germany earlier this year in 2024, is an indoor, six-a-side football tournament. The tournament will feature amateur athletes, former football pros, as well as several celebrities. It follows a similar concept to Gerard Pique’s hugely popular Kings League, featuring 12 teams competing in a weekly league.
BallerLeague trailer
Ahead of the start of the league, the organizers released a trailer on November 25, 2024, on YouTube. The video featured British YouTube stars KSI and the Sidemen, alongside famous American streamer IShowSpeed. Notably, the 2024-2025 UK season will feature several football pros, street ballers, as well as futsal players.
BallerLeague format
Just like Gerard Pique’s Kings League, the BallerLeague will feature 12 teams competing in a weekly league in an indoor arena. The tournament will have a 29 x 50-meter indoor pitch with six-vs-six teams facing it off across two 15-minute halves. The competition will feature 12 teams managed by celebrities in music, sports, and other entertainment mediums.
All 12 sides will face one another once, following which the top four teams will head into a final four tournament. From there, the eventual top team will be crowned the champions in May. The teams will face off across eleven match days in a head-to-head format.
Baller League explained in depth by Chunkz.
What are they cooking…👨🍳 pic.twitter.com/hdpPaxiCfM
— george (@StokeyyG2) November 26, 2024
Baller League rules
The tournament will feature several twists and new rules that will differ each half. During the last three minutes of each half, teams can put Gamechanger rules into play. These include various elements like Threeplay (3 vs 3) or other changes based on a virtual wheel spin. Notably, the league will draft players in a series of trials just like other popular American sports. The player roster will feature experienced pros alongside celebrities and fresh talent.
BallerLeague US and UK players and managers
As of now, the organizers have not announced the full list of UK & US teams set to compete. However, fans can check out the full list of the personalities involved in managing the teams:
UK Version:
- Tobjizzle
- AngryGinge
- Robert Pires
- Freddie Ljunberg
- Jens Lehmann
- John Terry
- KSI
- Luis Figo
- Chunkz (Hosting weekly Twitch Livestream from London)
- Sharky
- Micah Richards
- Gary Lineker
- Alan Shearer
- Miniminter
- +4 managers still to come
US Version:
- iShowSpeed
- Ronaldinho Gaúcho
According to reports, British YouTubers KSI, Luis Figo, Miniminter, and Chunkz will each create and manage their own branded teams. Notably, KSI will serve as President for the UK BallerLeague, while IShowSpeed will manage the US version of the competition.
Meanwhile, former footballers turned BBC broadcasters Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker, and Micah Richards will manage a team in the UK Baller League. Other former footballers John Terry and Luis Figo will also join them. On the other hand, Brazilian football star Ronaldinho Gaúcho will manage in the US BallerLeague alongside IShowSpeed.
BallerLeague how to watch live
Fans can watch the live streaming of the BallerLeague on Twitch and YouTube. Chunkz will serve as the presenter for all UK matches.