Queens League Spain

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Founded24 February 2023; 2 years ago (2023-02-24)
First season2023/24
CountrySpain
ProvinceBarcelona
Queens League Spain
Founded24 February 2023; 2 years ago (2023-02-24)
First season2023/24
CountrySpain
ProvinceBarcelona
Number of clubs12
Current championsxBuyer Team (1st title)
(2024 Winter Split)
Broadcaster(s)Twitch
YouTube
TikTok
Cuatro[1]
Websitequeensleague.pro
Current: 2024/25 Queens League Spain

Queens League Spain (officially known as the Queens League Oysho due to sponsorship reasons) is a seven-a-side football league established in 2023 by Gerard Piqué, football personalities and internet streamers. It is based on the Kings League, launched by Piqué shortly before. The league rules include a tie-breaker penalty shoot-out, unlimited substitutions, and the implementation of secret weapons.

Shortly after the inaugural season of the Kings League began, Oriol Querol, CEO of Kings League and Kosmos Holding director, announced the Queens League, a competition for women.[2] From May 2023, Queens League matches will be played on Saturdays, ahead of Kings League matches on Sundays. Former Spain players like Priscila Borja and Willy offered themselves to join the Queens League.[3] Ibai Llanos of Porcinos, was the first Kings League chairperson to confirm the creation of his women's team, Porcinas. Former player Borja Fernández offered to coach the team.

The Queens League had a launch event on 24 February 2023 at the Cupra Arena,[4] with all of the Kings League teams taking part in the new tournament; some have changed branding for the women's team, and some have introduced more female streamers and popular figures as chairpersons.[5][6][7]

While the Kings League's first season saw involvement from former professional footballers, the Queens League also includes current professionals, particularly in the organisation of teams: FC Barcelona Femení and Switzerland player Ana-Maria Crnogorčević is part of the staff of Saiyans FC;[8] her club teammates Patricia Guijarro, Clàudia Pina, and Sandra Paños are all ambassadors of teams; as are Spain player Jennifer Hermoso and Chile player Christiane Endler.[9][10] The number one draft pick[11] was Zaragoza CFF, Egypt, and former Barcelona player Sara Ismael.[4][12]

Mexican sports newspaper Récord wrote upon the announcement of the Queens League that it would be important in promoting gender equality in the world of video gaming.[13] The Queens League teams are given the same conditions and pay as the Kings League.[14] In May 2023, Pique and Spanish broadcasting company Mediaset announced that one match each day – the 8 pm games of both the Queens League and Kings League – would be broadcast on free-to-air television on channel Cuatro, which broadcasts most sports content. Highlights from other games and the related talkshows Chup Chup and After are also shown on Cuatro.[15]

Venue

The Queens League is held at the Cupra Arena in the Port of Barcelona area along with the Kings League.[14]

Other venues around Spain, both outdoor and indoor, have since hosted Final Fours, with Mexico also once hosting a Queens League final:

Venue List
Venue City Autonomous
Community
Country Capacity Use
Cupra Arena Barcelona Catalonia Spain Unknown Regular venue
Civitas Metropolitano Madrid Madrid Spain 70,460 2023 Split 1 Final Four
La Rosaleda Málaga Andalusia Spain 30,044 2023 Queens Cup Final Four
Palau Sant Jordi Barcelona Catalonia Spain 17,960 2023 Kingdom Cup Final Four
WiZink Center Madrid Madrid Spain 17,453 2024 Split 2 Final Four
Heliodoro Rodríguez López Santa Cruz de Tenerife Canary Islands Spain 22,824 2024 Split 3 Final
Estadio Luis "Pirata" Fuente1 Veracruz (city) Veracruz Mexico 27,500 2025 Split 4 Final
1 Hosted as part of the "Kings and Queens League Americas Finals" with the Kings League and Queens League Americas also playing their 2025 Winter Split Finals there.

Criticism

Before the league began, there was criticism from Porcinas' Ibai Llanos, who said that before the draft was held but after the tests, some of the candidates had been approached by other teams to sign them as 11th or 12th Players, effectively signing some of the best players for their teams without having to go through drafting.[16]

Team organisation

Team Manager Chairperson[7]
1K FC Spain Elba de Vega Spain Maite Carrillo (Mayichi)[17]
Aniquiladoras FC Spain Marta Sánchez Mexico Amairani Alonso (AmaBlitz)[18]
El Barrio Spain Micky Ollé Spain Adri Contreras and Mexico Mercedes Roa
Jijantas FC Spain Óscar Cobacho Spain Gerard Romero and Lisbeth Cid
Kunitas Spain Ari Font Argentina Jo Valicenti
Las Troncas FC Spain Èric Bartra (caretaker) Spain Violeta G
PIO FC Spain Flor de Luna Pila Mexico Samantha Rivera (Rivers)
Porcinas FC Spain Rubén Casado Spain Gemma Gallardo (Gemita)[19]
Rayo de Barcelona Spain Rubén Rodríguez Andorra Martí Miràs (Spursito)
Saiyans FC Andorra Víctor Alfaya Spain Totakeki[20][21]
Ultimate Móstoles Spain Mireia Vera Spain Noelia San Martín (Noe9977)
xBuyer Team Spain Sergio Ruz Spain Javier (xBuyer) and Eric Ruiz (MiniBuyer)

Season 1 (2023/24)

The 11th Players were announced before the draft on 16 April 2023. Sportswear company Oysho is the league's main sponsor and kit supplier.[22] The first season is set to begin on 6 May 2023 and host its Final Four event on 29 July.[7]

Performance by team

See also

References

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