Essen's Ball League Gathering: Steps to Get Involved
The city of Essen is gearing up for an exciting football event, as the Baller League, co-founded by Lukas Podolski and Mats Hummels, returns to the streets. On August 22, Kurfürstenplatz will play host to a large cage football tournament, attracting teams "Kodra" and "Baller", as well as players known from the Baller League and local amateur football.
The Baller League, a Kleinfeldliga, is renowned for its inclusivity, attracting both prominent footballers and influencers, as well as amateur footballers. This year's event in Essen promises to be no exception, with up to 2000 people expected to attend.
Steven Kodra, a Baller League player and organizer of the event, is no stranger to the Bolzplatz, having grown up playing football there. He believes that events like these are a way of bringing football back to the streets. Last month's event in Hamm attracted more than 2000 people, many of them young.
Registration for the tournaments, which are planned for under-18s and adults, will take place on site, starting from 13.30 for young people and 15 o'clock for adults. The games will be played from 15 to 21 o'clock.
In addition to the football tournament, the event will feature a supporting program with food trucks and DJ, ensuring a lively atmosphere throughout the day. Steven Kodra, known for his distinctive pink hair, spoke of "no system" at the Hamm event and apologized to his followers on TikTok, promising a better system in Essen.
Participants in the Essen event have a chance to win "tickets" for the draft and combine of the Baller League, potentially allowing them to play in the league itself. Notable players attending the tournament include Marco Cirillo, a midfielder recently signed by the Protatos, as well as Ronii Berisha and Iliaaasx, who are tagged in posts related to the event on August 22, 2025.
Ilias Anan (Wattenscheid 09) and Kevin Weggen (FC Büderich) are among the players participating. Lukas Podolski, co-founder and manager of "Streets United" in the Baller League, promotes the Essen event, emphasizing the importance of football being open, direct, and accessible to everyone.
Podolski's vision is shared by Steven Kodra, who aims to inspire the young generation to love football. The Essen event is part of the Baller League series, following games held in Cologne, but taking place in Berlin since the last season.
So, whether you're a seasoned player or a football enthusiast, mark your calendars for August 22. The Baller League event in Essen promises to be a fun-filled day of football, music, and community spirit.
