New mega project from Hummels & Poldi
BVB star Mats Hummels (34) and Cologne legend Lukas Podolski (38) are the faces and presidents of the new "Baller League", which starts in Germany at the beginning of January. And the special thing about this new football project is that anyone can take part!
Hummels: "We want to be part of a new era of soccer, but also a return to old virtues. We want to go more in the direction of street soccer - the whole thing transported into the hall on a big stage. Indoor tournaments were always an absolute highlight for me in the past. I still go to the soccer hall in summer and winter - I feel very much at home in this world."
What is the Baller League?
A small-sided indoor soccer project. Twelve teams take part. The game is six against six. Playing time: twice twenty minutes. Special rules are designed to make the game more dynamic and faster. Baller is US slang for ball sportsmen or street sportsmen.
Hummels (league president) and Poldi (soccer president) are the figureheads of the new league. Thomas de Buhr and Felix Starck are co-founders of the project.
Hummels: "For me, the Baller League is an opportunity to show a different facet of soccer: a bit more spectacle, more entertaining, on a smaller field. It's simply a nice addition to the big game with fewer breaks and more action. For all those who love soccer on the pitch and the indoor tournaments of the past, presented in an innovative and new format."
The first match day is scheduled for the beginning of January in a hall at "Motorworld Köln". Eleven match days (six games per match day) are to take place by the end of March at the latest. There will then be a Final Four with two semi-finals and a final.
Hummels: "I just like honest soccer. Without acting or stalling. With the rules, the Baller League is trying to change issues that bother fans, such as players staying down, stalling, playing behind."
Who is taking part?
ANYONE CAN TAKE PART!
The teams are made up of celebrities, ex-footballers, musicians, streamers, influencers, stars from the entertainment industry - and players like you and me! Anyone can apply!
Anyone (whether amateur or semi-professional) can recommend themselves via qualifying tournaments. The team captains of the twelve teams can then select their desired players through a draft system.
The entire application process runs until December 13 via "Baller League" partner XING.
Click here to register.
Hummels: "We want to show fast, attractive and high-quality soccer, I am very confident about the level of soccer. Of course, I've already acquired a few ex-colleagues."
Co-founder Thomas de Buhr: "We are very proud to be launching our Baller League. The Baller League is for everyone, anyone can apply now and try to get one of the coveted places in the 12 teams."
Where can I watch it?
The games will be played regularly in front of spectators in a hall in Cologne. Everything will be broadcast free of charge on Twitch, YouTube and on TV (channel still open).
Co-founder Felix Starck: "The Baller League brings the football pitch and the rules of the street into a league system. We want to get back to the roots - honest, fast and exciting soccer. The way you want soccer to be and the way it used to be - unpredictable."
- Lukas Podolski and Mats Hummels are bringing their new project, the "Baller League," to the first Bundesliga, offering a unique indoor soccer experience that anyone can participate in.
- Hummels, as league president, shares his excitement for the Baller League, explaining that it aims to showcase a more spectacle-filled and entertaining version of soccer, utilizing special rules and a smaller field.
- Borussia Dortmund and 1st FC Cologne might be two teams to watch in the Baller League, as Hummels has already recruited some of his former teammates for the tournament.
- Podolski and Hummels' project, which is open to celebrities, ex-footballers, musicians, streamers, influencers, and amateur players, will be broadcasting their games on various platforms such as Twitch, YouTube, and TV, ensuring that fans everywhere can watch the action unfold.
