Baller League, the innovative digital-focused six-a-side soccer competition, has secured a significant domestic rights partnership with pay-TV giant Sky ahead of its debut UK season. This move will ensure every match during the 2025 season is broadcast live on Sky Sports’ linear channels and its subscription OTT service Now.
Having already conducted two successful seasons in Germany with backing from popular social media personalities like KSI and soccer legends such as Luis Figo and Ronaldinho, Baller League is now set to make its mark in the UK. The league has managed to attract a new host of soccer legends, social media stars, and cultural icons who will manage the 12 competing teams.
The teams include Deportrio (managed by Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Gary Lineker), 26ers (John Terry), and N5 FC (Jens Lehmann, Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg). The matches will be played weekly at London's Copper Box Arena starting March 24th for 11 consecutive weeks. Each week features six exciting 30-minute matches leading up to semi-finals and finals that determine the season’s winner. This partnership adds another feather to Sky’s cap as it already boasts an impressive domestic soccer portfolio including top-tier Premier League, second-tier EFL, Scotland’s SPFL as well as women’s WSL. It also holds rights to Germany’s top-tier Bundesliga matches.
O2 joins as headline sponsor
In addition to securing broadcasting rights with Sky Sports for their inaugural UK season debut; Baller League announced mobile network operator O2 as their headline sponsor just a day prior. This strategic alliance offers Virgin Media and O2 customers exclusive access through its Priority program which includes tickets along with opportunities for VIP experiences on match days.
Baller League's CEO, Felix Starck, expressed his delight at the partnership with O2. He praised the brand for understanding the cultural power of sport and entertainment and sharing Baller League's vision for delivering a dynamic football experience that will authentically connect and excite fans.
Major investment secured
Last month, Baller League secured significant investment from Portugal-based private equity firm Apex along with several high-profile soccer players. This funding is aimed at expanding Baller League’s operations, scaling production operations, hiring more staff to support international expansion into the UK and another major market as well as covering operational costs of its matchdays.
This backing was part of an overall investment of €23 million ($24.1 million) in series A funding into the competition led by EQT Ventures with Courtside Ventures also participating. This follows a prior funding round conducted by the competition in 2024 which generated $8 million in investment.
These strategic partnerships and investments indicate a promising future for Baller League as it makes its debut in UK soil. The league is set to offer sports fans an exciting new format of football while providing sports betting fans with fresh opportunities.
