The Kings League Cup has been a success all over the world. The league created by Gerard Piqué, former Barcelona and Spanish national team defender, brings together athletes from different countries, streamers, YouTubers and even former players.
With the premise of 7-a-side football, the Kings League has some special rules and the Sporting News provides details of what they are.
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What are the Kings League Cup rules?
The Kings League has several rules that help modify football matches, bringing more entertainment to the games.
The tournament has matches with two halves of 20 minutes each. They start with just one player on each side (1×1), in addition to the goalkeeper. Every minute, another player enters the field until the 7×7 format is reached.
In the 18th minute of the first half, the game is stopped, and a die is rolled to decide how many players will remain on the field until the end of the opening half, adding an unpredictable and strategic dynamic to the game.
Some of the dynamics are:
- Gold or special card: a card that can create new rules in the match, such as: doubling the value of goals scored in the next 60 seconds, automatically winning a penalty, sending off an opposing player and stealing the opponent’s golden card.
- Unlimited substitutions
- There are no ties: If the game ends in a draw, the match goes to the shootout.
- Yellow and red cards: yellow suspends the player for two minutes, while red bans the player, but another can replace him.
This is the Kings League Italia 👑
— Kings League Italy (@KingsLeague_IT)
What is the Kings League Cup?
The Kings League is an innovative football competition created by former Barcelona player Gerard Piqué, which mixes traditional sport with elements of digital entertainment and pop culture.
The league is made up of 12 teams that play each other during the regular season. The eight best teams advance to the playoffs, where they face each other in knockout matches until two teams reach the grand final.
The Kings League’s difference lies in its dynamic rules and player profiles. Each team features a “player 12”, usually a renowned former athlete or popular influencer from the world of esports or football.
Additionally, the Kings League is known for its innovative broadcasts, which utilize platforms such as Twitch and YouTube, making it accessible to a young, global audience connected to digital media.
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What were the editions of the Kings League?
The Kings League had its inaugural season in 2023, with two main divisions:
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Winter Split 2023: Held from January to March 2023, culminating with the finals at Camp Nou.
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Summer Split 2023: Ran from May to July 2023, with the Final Four on July 29.
In addition to these, additional competitions were introduced:
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Kings Cup: Played between September and October 2023, with Ultimate Móstoles beating Los Troncos FC in the final.
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Prince Cup: Youth tournament held from August 31 to September 3, 2023, where Los Troncos FC were crowned champions.
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Kingdom Cup: Mixed competition between teams from the Kings and Queens League, held from 29 October to 25 November 2023, with Porcinos FC beating Ultimate Móstoles in the final.
In 2024, the league expanded internationally, with tournaments in Mexico City and Italy. A tournament in Brazil is scheduled to take place in 2025.
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Americas Kings League: Launched in 2024 in Mexico City, with Javier Hernández as president of one of the teams.
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Kings League Italy: Announced in May 2024, with Zlatan Ibrahimović as president of the league, scheduled to start in 2024.
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Kings League Brasil: Announced in February 2023, with Ronaldinho Gaúcho as president of one of the teams, scheduled to start in 2025.
In addition, international tournaments were held:
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Kings World Cup: First edition held in Mexico between May 26 and June 9, 2024.
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Kings World Cup Nations: It’s happening at the beginning of January; the final will be at the Juventus Stadium, in Turin.
Brazil’s squad at the Kings League World Cup of Nations?
- Goalkeepers: João Pedro Isidório and Josildo Barata
- Defenders: Wembley Luiz and Maicon Silva
- Socks: Jefferson Melo, Andreas Vaz, Wellington Rodrigues, Davi Ilario and Matheus Rufino
- Attackers: Lipão Pinheiro, Leonardo ‘Leleti’ Garcia, Kelvin Oliveira and João Victor Assumpção
Where to watch Brazil vs Germany in the Kings Cup?
- Date: January 4th (Saturday)
- Time: 12pm (Brasília time)
- Where to watch: Cazé TV (YouTube) and Disney+ (streaming)
