The American Football League Europe (AFLE) is a newly established professional American football league dedicated to building a sustainable, long-term competition across the European continent. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, and Hamburg, Germany, the league operates as an association in Vienna, Austria, owned and governed by its participating teams. Founded on the principles of transparency, collaboration, and responsible growth, the AFLE was created to give European football the stable and professional foundation it deserves.
For years, American football in Europe lacked a consistent and reliable competition structure. The AFLE was built to change that. By placing ownership and governance in the hands of the participating clubs, the league ensures that long-term sustainability is at the heart of every decision. The result is a competition designed not just for one season, but for generations of European football to come.
The inaugural AFLE season kicked off on 23 May 2026 and features eight founding franchises from across Europe: Rhein Fire and Berlin Thunder from Germany, the Vienna Vikings from Austria, the Wroclaw Panthers from Poland, the Alpine Rams from Switzerland, the Paris Lights from France, the Firenze Red Lions from Italy, and the London Warriors from the United Kingdom. Together, these eight franchises represent some of the strongest and most historic football markets on the continent, as well as exciting new projects in cities where the sport continues to grow.
The season runs across 14 weeks of regular season competition, followed by the playoffs, and concludes with the AFLE Gold Bowl on 6 September 2026. The AFLE Gold Bowl is the championship game of the AFLE and will be held at the Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena in Duisburg, Germany. With a capacity of over 31,000 spectators, the venue provides a world-class stage for the biggest game in European American football. The arena is located in the heart of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan area and is easily accessible from across Europe by road, rail and air.
The AFLE Gold Bowl is more than a championship game. It is the culmination of an entire season of competition across eight countries, and the moment that defines the best team in European football. Alongside the game itself, the AFLE Power Party transforms the event into a full football festival, bringing fans together for a day of sport, entertainment and celebration. The AFLE Gold Bowl is designed to become the most important and iconic event in the European American football calendar.
Backed by long-term private investment and built on modern governance structures, the AFLE works closely with its clubs, players, officials and partners to develop the sport responsibly and sustainably. The league's mission is clear: to create a trusted home for European football, built on stability, professionalism, and a deep connection to the communities it serves.
