Hidden Eleven
A free football game to play with friends online
You have a group chat full of football fans, ten spare minutes and no console in common. What you want is a football game everyone can open on whatever device they have, that starts in seconds and is fair to the friend who never plays games. This guide covers what to look for, and how to run a game night with Hidden Eleven from start to finish.
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What makes a good football game for friends
Plenty of football games are fun alone and awkward in a group. Before you pick one for a night with friends, check it against this short list:
- Nothing to install. Someone always has the wrong console, an old phone or no space. A browser game removes that problem: if they can open a link, they can play.
- No accounts. Every sign-up screen loses a player. The best group games ask for a name and nothing else.
- One code to join. Sharing a short room code in the group chat is much easier than adding everyone as a friend first.
- Works on phones. In most groups, at least half the players will be on a phone.
- Skill that isn't reflexes. Action games reward whoever plays the most. A game decided by football knowledge and decisions gives everyone a real chance.
- Short matches. Ten-minute rounds mean you can play several, rotate winners and stop whenever you like.
Why a draft game works so well in groups
In a draft game, every manager picks from the same shared pool of players, one turn at a time. That creates exactly the kind of moments a group enjoys: someone takes the player you were about to pick, someone gambles on an unknown card, and everyone argues about whose squad is really better.
Hidden Eleven adds hidden picks on top. In some rounds you choose a sealed card without seeing who is inside, and the others can't see your pick until the reveal. That keeps everyone guessing until the very end, which is what makes the results screen worth waiting for.
It also scales well. Rooms take 2 to 10 managers, so the same game works for a one-on-one, a five-a-side group or a whole watch party. If you're short of people, AI opponents can fill the empty seats.
Set up a game night in two minutes
- Open the game. Go to hiddeneleven.online/play on any phone or computer and type your name.
- Host a room. Tap Host a Room. For a first night the default settings are fine; see the table below if you want to adjust them.
- Share the code. In the lobby, tap Copy code and paste the six-letter code into your group chat. Friends tap Join a Room and enter it.
- Start. When everyone is in the lobby, the host taps Start Game. The formation is revealed and the draft begins.
- Play again. After the results, tap Play again. The same room reopens as a lobby, so the group can go straight into the next match.
First time for some of your friends? Send them the beginner's guide, or let them try a one-tap Quick Match against the AI while everyone else is joining.
Room settings for different groups
The host chooses the settings when creating the room, and can adjust the card rating range in the lobby. Some combinations that work well:
| Group | Turn timer | Leagues | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick one-on-one | 15–30 seconds | All leagues | Defaults |
| Mixed group, some new players | No limit or 60 seconds | One league everyone follows | Defaults |
| Big group (6–10) | 15–30 seconds | All leagues | Keeps waiting between turns short |
| Longer session | 30 seconds | Any | Tournament mode for a knockout bracket |
A single familiar league is the easiest way to make the game fair for casual fans, because everyone recognises the players. The Premier League draft guide has tips if that's your group's league.
House rules and themed nights
Once your group has played a few times, small twists keep it fresh:
- League nights: one league per night, so the local experts get their moment.
- Rating cap: lower the card rating range in the lobby, so nobody can just take the best-rated players and the draft is about chemistry instead.
- Best of three: play three matches with Play again and add up the places.
- Tournament finals: finish the night with tournament mode, where one lost tie ends a manager's run.
Whatever you choose, the chemistry guide is the quickest way for anyone in the group to start winning more often.
Host a room now →Questions
Do my friends need to install anything?
No. Hidden Eleven runs in the browser on phones, tablets and computers. Your friends open the site, type a name, tap Join a Room and enter your code.
How many people can play in one room?
Between 2 and 10 managers per room. You can also fill empty seats with AI opponents.
Does anyone need an account?
No. There is no sign-up. Each player only types a display name.
How long does a match take?
Around ten minutes with 30-second turns. Shorter timers make it quicker; with no timer, it lasts as long as your group takes to decide.
What if someone joins late?
Friends can join while the room is still in the lobby. After a match, tap Play again to bring everyone back to the same lobby, where late arrivals can join with the same code.