Bundesliga, Top Baller, FC Bayern München and RB Leipzig team up for next-generation U.S. youth soccer competition

• U-16 boys will compete in series of 1v1 Bundesliga x Top Baller events across the country with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities up for grabs
• Two participants will earn a one-week trial period at RB Leipzig Academy in Germany
• Four other select participants earn place at FC Bayern Youth Cup Qualifiers in Portland

22 October 2025 – Bundesliga, Top Baller, FC Bayern München and RB Leipzig are coming together to create a never-before-seen youth soccer competition in the United States.

Beginning 1 November in Brooklyn, N.Y., Under-16 boys contestants will compete in a series of five Bundesliga x Top Baller 1v1 soccer competitions through spring 2026 with the opportunity to earn a U-16 Academy trial with RB Leipzig in Germany next year.

“This initiative is a powerful example of how football can transcend borders and open doors. At RB Leipzig, we’re passionate about developing and giving wings to young talent – and that starts with opportunity,” said David Wagner, RB Leipzig Head of Academy. “By inviting two standout players from the Bundesliga x Top Baller competition to experience our club, we’re not just offering a trial – we’re offering a glimpse into the professional football environment and a chance to dream bigger. We look forward to welcoming these young athletes and seeing how they embrace the challenge.”

The top two participants from each qualifier will be chosen to participate in the finals in April 2026. At the finals, a RB Leipzig scout will select the two players who will earn a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel to Germany to train at the RB Leipzig Academy for one week.

Not only that, but one player from each of the four qualifiers will earn a place at the FC Bayern Youth Cup qualifiers in Portland, Oregon, next summer. The FC Bayern Youth Cup qualifier provides an opportunity to be selected to represent Team USA in the FC Bayern Youth Cup in Munich.

“Four talented young players will have the unique opportunity to enter the FC Bayern Pathway. This doesn’t represent one singular qualifier or tournament but an actual pathway with the potential to continue on to other FC Bayern programs such as the World Squad and Global Academy,” said Jochen Sauer, FC Bayern München Director of Youth Development and Campus. “American soccer talent is surging, and we’re committed to creating real opportunities for young players to chase their dreams.”

Top Baller, the creators of the 1v1 soccer format, bring together communities and engage millions of fans in viral social moments. Their signature 1v1 soccer tournament will feature the best street soccer players across the U.S., competing for the prize that every aspiring baller wants: a shot at going pro.

“We created the 1v1 format with one aim: find the best street ballers and showcase them to the world,” said Manuel Silva, Top Baller Founder. “On this journey, we’ve uncovered unique grassroots talent and encouraged young players to fall back in love with the game and achieve great success. This partnership with Bundesliga, RB Leipzig and FC Bayern München creates a real opportunity for young ballers in the U.S., and it would be a dream to look back in a few years and see one of our winners in a top flight Bundesliga team.”

The Bundesliga has featured a host of USMNT stars over the decades including Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Steve Cherundolo and Malik Tillman. In fact, more players (81) from the U.S. have made their name in Bundesliga than any other top European league.

For registration and more details on dates and locations of future events, please visit HERE.

“With a storied history of so many U.S. players playing in the Bundesliga, this competition reinforces our commitment of providing tangible grassroots platforms for that pathway to continue,” said Robin Austermann, Bundesliga Americas Executive Vice President. “This unique competition not only creates opportunities for talented U.S. youth players who may not have access to such platforms, but retains the Bundesliga – also thanks to the support of RB Leipzig, FC Bayern München in this case – at the forefront of youth soccer development.”