The fast-growing Kings League, a seven-a-side football competition founded by former Spain international Gerard Piqué, has raised $63 million in fresh investment to accelerate its global expansion plans. The funding round was led by U.S.-based Alignment Growth, a media and entertainment-focused investment firm, bringing the league’s total funding since its launch in 2023 to more than $160 million. Champions at the end of the final of the Spain's Kings League  at Civitas Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Kings League CEO Djamel Agaoua said the latest investment represents a major ste

The fast-growing Kings League, a seven-a-side football competition founded by former Spain international Gerard Piqué, has raised $63 million in fresh investment to accelerate its global expansion plans. The funding round was led by U.S.-based Alignment Growth, a media and entertainment-focused investment firm, bringing the league’s total funding since its launch in 2023 to more than $160 million.

Champions at the end of the final of the Spain's Kings League  at Civitas Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain,

Kings League CEO Djamel Agaoua said the latest investment represents a major step forward for the league’s long-term ambitions. “We have proven that our model works at scale. This funding allows us to accelerate our expansion, continue innovating the format and explore strategic M&A opportunities that support our long-term vision,” Agaoua said in a statement.

Rapid Growth Across Regions

Launched in 2023, the Kings League has quickly gained popularity through its unique blend of football and entertainment. The competition has already established regional hubs across Europe, including Spain, Germany, and France, while also recently expanding into Saudi Arabia. The new funding will help support the league’s next major move: a planned launch in the United States, a key market in its global growth strategy.

A New Style of Football for Digital Audiences

Unlike traditional 11-a-side football, the Kings League features a seven-a-side format with gamified rules, designed to add excitement, unpredictability, and spectacle. The league has positioned itself as part of a new generation of sports competitions targeting younger, digitally native audiences who increasingly consume sports through online platforms rather than traditional broadcasts.

Gerard pique former football player and the founder of kings league

Alignment Growth Co-Founder and Managing Partner Kevin Tsujihara highlighted this shift as a major reason behind the investment. “Digitally native sports properties are uniquely positioned to capture powerful, long-term growth as younger audiences shift how they discover and engage with sports,” Tsujihara said.

Competing with Traditional Football Models

The Kings League is one of several emerging sports ventures seeking to disrupt the conventional 90-minute football structure by offering shorter, more entertainment-driven formats tailored for social media and streaming audiences. With new capital secured and expansion underway, the league is expected to continue building its global footprint while exploring further partnerships and acquisitions to strengthen its presence in the evolving sports entertainment market. As football consumption habits change worldwide, the Kings League is betting that innovation, digital engagement, and spectacle will shape the future of the sport. Source: Reuters

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