After promotion to the 2nd Bundesliga, SSV Ulm 1846 Fußball is also taking the step into eSports. The Spatzen will take part in the Virtual Bundesliga (VBL) for the first time in 2024/25 – the team is taking shape
The direct march from the Regionalliga Südwest to the 2nd Bundesliga within just two seasons also has consequences for SSV Ulm 1846 Fußball off the pitch. The Spatzen are now a member of the DFL and are therefore bound by its statutes and licensing regulations. One of the regulations stipulates that clubs in the top two German leagues must provide a team for the VBL Club Championship (VBLCC) – the Ulm-based club meets this criterion.
The club is “entitled and obliged” to participate after its promotion to the second division. It is not clear from the press release which circumstance prevailed. For Ulm, it will be the first VBL tournament in the club’s history, which is why the southern Germans are cooperating with the B360 agency to overcome the “diverse challenges”. “Proven experience” in eSports is what the second division club appreciates about its new partner for the VBL.
Yannick Will becomes first eSpatze
In addition to the announcement, SSV has already introduced the first FC player: Yannick Will, who is active under the gamertag ‘YaYa_Pogbaa’. As a free agent, he qualified for the playoffs via the VBL Open last season, where he lost to Justin ‘Milkalove’ Springer and missed out on the Grand Final. The coach and coordinator of the Ulm team will be Luigi Indrieri, who has made a name for himself as an influencer and content creator. The other professionals for the premiere in the VBLCC are to be announced “shortly”.
“We believe that we have already put together a very good team that can definitely cause a stir,” says B360 CEO Laurent Burkart. SSV Managing Director Markus Thiele is more reserved – after all, eSports is “completely new territory” in Ulm: “First of all, it’s about presenting and establishing ourselves in the Virtual Bundesliga. Of course, we hope that our players can also have a successful season. “
