Berlin-based The Icon League, the fast-rising five-a-side football format founded by Toni Kroos and Elias Nerlich, has raised €15 million in Series A funding to accelerate its European expansion, elevate team operations, and grow its fan-first brand of competitive entertainment.
The round was led by HV Capital, which also appointed former partner David Fischer as the league’s new CEO. Existing backers — including Jürgen Klopp’s family office, entrepreneur Thomas Hagedorn, and Luigi Berlusconi’s H14 S.p.A. — reaffirmed their support.
“We’re building a new kind of football experience — one that merges world-class sport with digital culture,” said David Fischer, CEO of The Icon League. “This investment allows us to professionalize the league, strengthen our teams, and bring our format to new audiences across Europe.”
A fan-driven football revolution
Launched in 2024, The Icon League has exploded in popularity across German-speaking markets. Its first season amassed 1.3 billion social media impressions, drew 3 million live matchday viewers, and sold out arenas of up to 20,000 fans.
The league’s 14-team structure follows a U.S.-style franchise model, giving each team operational independence within set transfer windows. The top four playoff teams compete for a €500,000 prize pool, while several franchises have already achieved six-figure profits after just one season.
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SportsTech meets entertainment
In a European SportsTech scene dominated by analytics, wearables, and niche performance tools — with startups like ReSpo.Vision (€4.2M), Jabbr.ai (€4.3M), and Weebora (€1.3M) raising rounds in 2025 — The Icon League stands out as one of the year’s largest entertainment-focused sports investments.
The league’s fast-paced five-a-side format features two 12-minute halves and unique “Rulebreaker” twists designed to boost creativity and attacking play. Matches combine ex-Bundesliga professionals with elite amateurs and creators, bridging traditional football with digital fandom.
Expanding across Europe
With fresh capital, The Icon League plans to scale its model to new European cities, expand its roster of franchises, and deepen partnerships with broadcasters and sponsors. The goal: to become Europe’s most engaging small-sided football league — a modern hybrid of competition, community, and culture.
About The Icon League
Founded by Toni Kroos and Elias Nerlich, The Icon League is a next-generation football league merging sport, entertainment, and creator culture. Supported by Sports360, TwoSides, and RABONA, the league aims to redefine how football is played and experienced — building a vibrant ecosystem where athletes, fans, and creators shape the future of the game.
