Arc Raiders: The League Quest Guide - How to Start Apollo's Football Team

In the relentless, metal-scarred landscapes of Arc Raiders, survival is a daily calculus of ammunition, cover, and extraction. The war against the ARC is a grim, all-consuming affair. Yet, with the Headwinds update, developer Embark Studios introduced a poignant counterpoint: a moment of pure, human aspiration. "The League" is not a mission to destroy a towering automaton or secure volatile data. It’s a quest to help a man named Apollo organize a football team for the children of Speranza. This heartwarming side narrative offers a rewarding respite from pure combat, weaving a thread of community and hope into the fabric of the game, all while offering a unique cosmetic prize for those willing to play for something more than survival.

Finding Apollo and Starting "The League"

Your journey into this lighter side of Speranza begins at home. After downloading the post-launch Headwinds update, head to the hub settlement of Speranza. Here, you’ll find the quest-giver, Apollo, eager to share his vision. Speaking to him will activate "The League" in your mission log.

The premise is straightforward but charming: Apollo wants to give the kids of Speranza something to believe in beyond the war, a simple game to foster community. He tasks you with gathering the essentials. The quest involves four core objectives that can be completed in any order, offering a welcome non-linear structure:

• Deliver a Deflated Football to Apollo.
• Deliver a Bicycle Pump to Apollo.
• Photograph the soccer goal by the Water Towers on the Dam Battlegrounds map.
• Photograph the football magazines in a kiosk on the Buried City map.

This mission sends you into the familiar danger zones, but with a uniquely peaceful purpose.

Capturing the Photographic Evidence

The two photography objectives are your breadcrumb trail to the physical items. While you can tackle these in any sequence, each location requires navigating active combat zones.

The Dam Battlegrounds Goal

Your target is a full-sized, chain-link soccer goal. To find it, deploy into the Dam Battlegrounds map. Your landmark is the Electrical Substation complex. Head to the southern border of the map, directly below (south of) the Substation, towards the cluster of Water Towers. The goal is situated on the east side of these towers, often partially obscured by the industrial scenery. It’s a surreal sight—a symbol of play amidst the machinery of war and ARC patrols.

The Buried City Magazine Kiosk

For the second photo, launch into the Buried City. Your destination is Marano Park. The quickest reference point is Marano Station. The park is situated just outside the station's main entrance. In the center of this park, you will find a small, white, rectangular newspaper stand or kiosk. Peering inside will reveal the football magazines Apollo wants documented.

Tactical Tip: Both sites are rarely secluded. Use the environment for cover, scout for ARC patrol routes, and consider dealing with threats before lining up your snapshot. The photo prompt is quick, but being caught mid-pose is a surefire way to fail the run.

Securing the Football and Pump

Here’s where the quest cleverly ties its objectives together. Completing the photography doesn’t just check a box; it leads you directly to the items you need, providing a guaranteed path to success.

• The Guaranteed Method: Upon photographing the Buried City kiosk, check the north wall of the same structure. A bicycle will be leaning against it, and on that bicycle, you will find the Bicycle Pump. Similarly, once you’ve photographed the goal on Dam Battlegrounds, look on the ground between the goalposts and the adjacent water tower. A small metal box here contains the Deflated Football.
• The Alternative Loot Method: If you prefer to hunt or happen upon the items randomly, both the Deflated Football and Bicycle Pump can spawn as world loot. They are most commonly found in residential areas, particularly inside apartments on either map. This method is less reliable but offers flexibility.

The Critical Final Step: Simply picking up the items isn’t enough. Like any valuable contraband in this extraction shooter, you must successfully extract from a match while carrying both the Deflated Football and the Bicycle Pump. This adds a layer of tension to the final leg of your charitable mission—protecting a child’s dream becomes your extraction objective.

Claiming Your Rewards

Once you’ve made it back to Speranza with both items in your inventory, return to Apollo. Handing over the football and pump will complete "The League" and grant your well-earned rewards:

• "Faded Flush" Aviator Outfit Color Scheme: This is the standout prize. It applies a distinct, weathered red and off-white color palette to the popular Aviator outfit, offering a unique flair for character customization. In a game where visual identity is key, this exclusive scheme is a badge of honor for completing this narrative-driven quest.
• 5 Tagging Grenades & 5 Firecrackers: These consumables provide practical battlefield utility. Tagging Grenades are excellent for tracking enemy player movements, while Firecrackers can be used to create diversions or disorient foes.

"The League" stands out as a testament to thoughtful post-launch content. It enriches the world of Arc Raiders by showing that life in Speranza isn’t solely defined by the conflict with the ARC. There are still dreams, however simple, worth fighting for. It’s a reminder that even in an extraction shooter, the most valuable thing you can secure is sometimes a moment of hope.

Tags: Arc Raiders, The League Quest, Game Guide, Headwinds Update, Extraction Shooter