IIT Madras took the first step in introducing a new sport, Omegaball, in India by organising an inter-college tournament on April 17, 2026.

The event was held at the institute’s football ground and saw participation from several colleges across Chennai.

The tournament featured teams from Loyola College of Engineering and Technology, Guru Nanak College of Arts and Science, Dr. Ambedkar Law University, The New College, Nazareth College of Arts and Science, Saveetha University, and YMCA College of Physical Education, along with IIT Madras Orange and Blue teams.

The sport has already gained traction in countries such as the United States, parts of Europe, and Brazil, where it is viewed as an alternative to traditional football formats.

What is Omegaball?

Omegaball is a fast-paced variation of football introduced in 2022 by Anthony Dittmann, a former ESPN employee.

The sport is played by three teams on a circular field measuring around 53–55 metres, roughly half the size of a standard football pitch.

The field features three goals placed at equal distances (120 degrees apart). Each team attacks two goals while defending one, making the game continuous and high-scoring.

Each side has five players on the field (four outfield players and one goalkeeper), with three substitutes allowed at any time.

How to Play Omegaball?

In Omegaball, three teams compete simultaneously on the same field. Each team defends its own goal and attempts to score in the other two.

The game includes passing, dribbling, and shooting, similar to football.

Players move dynamically to maintain possession, create scoring chances, and defend their goal.

Matches are played in three periods of 13 minutes each, with the team scoring the most goals declared the winner.

Rules and Regulations in Omegaball

The game follows flexible rules to maintain a fast pace. A total of 15 players (five from each team) are on the field at any given time.

Each team can make rolling substitutions, with players entering and exiting from designated corner areas.

There is no offside rule and no throw-ins, allowing continuous play.

The field includes one centre spot, three penalty arcs, and three dead-ball zones. Restarts must be taken within five seconds to keep the tempo high.

If the ball goes out of bounds, play resumes with a corner kick. Goalkeepers can handle the ball only within their penalty arcs.

In the case of an own goal, the other two teams are each awarded one point.

With IIT Madras introducing Omegaball in India, the sport has now entered the domestic sporting landscape and could see further growth in the coming years