Four Former Imps Featuring In The Recent Baller League

October 7, 2025 Gary Lincoln City 0

Courtesy of Graham Burrell

Writing the words ‘Baller League’ hurts me, but it’s a new competition that is grabbing the attention of younger supporters.

The Baller League is a modern, small-sided football competition that combines elements of traditional sport with a focus on speed, entertainment and accessibility. First launched in Germany in 2024 by Matts Hummel and Lukas Podolski, it has since expanded into the United Kingdom and across Europe, positioning itself as an alternative to the standard 11-a-side game.

Each Baller League match is played indoors on a compact pitch, with teams made up of six players. Games last 30 minutes, split into two 15-minute halves, and feature rolling substitutions from a 12-player squad. The setup encourages constant movement and attacking play, with matches typically high in tempo and short on stoppages.

It’s not unlike the old Masters Football, only more modern, with teams that read like gamer tags rather than actual teams. Twelve teams take part in a season, facing each other once before the top four progress to a knockout “Final Four” to determine the champions. The format is designed to create a faster and more streamlined version of football, easier to broadcast and follow for audiences used to short-form digital content.

The Baller League introduces a number of rule variations to distinguish it from the professional game. There are no corners, and repeated clearances out of play can lead to a penalty being awarded. Late in each half, “special rules” may come into effect — such as reducing the number of players, changing how goalkeepers can play, or introducing time-limited challenges. These are intended to increase jeopardy and maintain intensity through to the final whistle.

The British version began in 2025, with matches held at London’s Copper Box Arena and the season finale staged at The O2. It features a mix of semi-professional footballers, former professionals, futsal players and content creators, reflecting the league’s aim to bridge traditional football and the digital audience. The games are broadcast by Sky Sports and streamed online.

Teams are owned by celebrities, which is another reason some fans turn their nose up at it. Yanited, for instance, is owned by someone called Angry Ginge, who does videos on YouTube. The 26ers are even worse, as they’re owned by John Terry. Urgh. Wembley Rangers are owned by Chloe Kelly and Ian Wright.

Like it or loathe it, it’s the sort of competition that looks attractive after sitting through an Exeter City masterclass, and there are some decent players involved. Henri Lansbury, Fernando Forestieri and Jerome Sinclair leap out, alongside names a little familiar to City fans, such as Stefan Payne. Nile Ranger is also involved, which seems fitting for a player who was more about style than substance.

There are four former Imps (well, three and a half, as you’ll find out) who were involved last season

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