Today, Panini Verlags GmbH and the European League of Football embark on a joint journey with a partnership aimed at bringing U.S. sports to Europe and establishing them as a fixture in society here. "The agreement between these two companies creates a symbiosis of two great passions - football and collecting," said Hermann Paul, managing director of Panini Verlags GmbH.

How it could look like. © European League of Football / Panini

He is looking forward to a successful and long-term cooperation, strong emotions and unforgettable moments. Together, the two companies aim to significantly expand the popularity of U.S. sports not only in Germany, but throughout Europe. Over the course of the ELF's third season, which begins in June, Panini Verlags GmbH will offer football fans and collectors matching, high-quality and appealing collectible products in the form of trading cards and stickers.

"Immortalizing one's stars as trading cards or in one's sticker album was something fans wanted right from the start of our league. Now we are making collecting possible. Top European football now also takes place at Panini," said Managing Director of the European League of Football, Zeljko Karajica.

The European League of Football will enter the 2023 season with seventeen franchises, with last season's participants joined by Munich Ravens, Fehérvár Enthroners, Prague Lions, Paris Musketeers, Milano Seamen and Helvetic Guards. Thus, seventeen teams from nine nations will start in June with the destination Duisburg. The Schauinsland-Reisen Arena will host the Championship Game on September 24. As the most professional football league in Europe, the European League of Football has set itself the goal of placing the sport on broad shoulders, both medially and economically.

The Panini Group was founded more than 60 years ago in Modena, Italy. It has subsidiaries throughout Europe, Latin America and the United States. It is the world leaderin published collectibles (stickers and trading cards) and the leading multinational publisher of comics, children's magazines and manga in Europe and Latin America. The company has distribution channels in more than 150 countries, including Germany, and employs over 1200 people.

For more information, visit panininewsroom.de.