Sources: 
The Masters of Madness, a pioneering Belgian football competition, has concluded its inaugural season with Racing Pannakoek crowned as champions. This innovative league features shorter, faster-paced six-a-side indoor matches designed to captivate younger audiences through TV, streaming, and YouTube platforms.
The first season took place in December at Antwerp's Google Pixel Arena and was broadcast on Play Media's Play4 channel, GoPlay streaming service, and YouTube. The competition is the brainchild of media companies Woestijnvis and Sporthouse Group, alongside former Belgian football stars Dries Mertens and Jan Vertonghen.
"Masters of Madness is designed as a new football competition format with shorter, faster games for younger TV viewers, streamers and YouTubers rolled into a daily sports entertainment show," the organizers explained.
The league features eight mixed-gender teams competing on a compact 46m by 26m pitch in six versus six matches. Racing Pannakoek, led by an all-female coaching staff headed by former Belgian international Imke Courtois, emerged victorious in this debut season.
"The inaugural winner was Racing Pannakoek, a team with an all-female coaching staff led by former Belgian international Imke Courtois," the reports noted.
This new format aims to revolutionize Belgian football by blending sport with entertainment, targeting a digital-savvy generation and offering a fresh, dynamic viewing experience.
The involvement of ex-pros Dries Mertens, a former Belgian Footballer of the Year with 100 caps, and Jan Vertonghen, who earned 157 national team appearances, adds credibility and expertise to the league's development.
"It is the brainchild of media production companies Woestijnvis and Sporthouse Group and two ex-pros: former Belgian Footballer of the Year, striker Dries Mertens who won 100 caps; and Ajax and Spurs central defender Jan Vertonghen who played 157 times for the Belgian national team," the sources confirmed.
As the Masters of Madness sets a bold new era for Belgian football, it promises to engage fans with its fast tempo and inclusive team structure, potentially reshaping the sport's future in the region.
Sources: Racing Pannakoek clinched the inaugural Masters of Madness title, a new Belgian football league featuring fast-paced, six-a-side indoor matches designed for younger audiences. The December season at Antwerp’s Google Pixel Arena showcased mixed-gender teams and was created by ex-pros Dries Mertens and Jan Vertonghen.
