This is the European League of Football in 2023!

WHAT IS BEHIND IT?

Founded in 2020 by Patrick Esume, Commissioner, and Zeljko Karajica, CEO, the European League of Football kicked off in June 2021. After the first strong season with eight teams and two Conferences, another even stronger season followed with 12 teams in three Conferences. The final in 2021 played out at the MERKUR SPIEL Arena in Düsseldorf in front of 22.000 fans on site and a peak of over 500,000 fans on Free TV on Pro7Maxx. In 2022, the Championship Game in Klagenfurt attracted 14.000 fans in the stadium while it reached a new record in TV ratings with 4,6 percent in Germany.

All matches of both seasons as well as the finals were broadcast in several international countries. The upcoming season will start on June 3, 2023 with 17 teams from nine countries. Six teams joined: Munich Ravens, Paris Saints, Milano Seamen, Prague Lions, Fehérvár Enthroners, Helvetic Guards. The quality of American football in Europe is at an all-time high since the departure of the NFL Europe.

HOW TO WATCH GAMES?

All games of the upcoming season will be broadcast in our own Game Pass. This is available HERE. In addition, the TV partner for Germany was already announced with Pro7Maxx and the final on ProSieben and more TV partners to be announced soon. You can also find tickets HERE for highlight games like Sea Devils playing the Rhein Fire in the Volksparkstadium or more!

107 GAMES, 17 TEAMS, 9 NATIONS, 4 MONTHS, ONE GOAL

In the European League of Football, 17 teams from nine difference countries will play for the title in three Conferences, divided as follows:

Western Conference: Cologne Centurions (Germany), Frankfurt Galaxy (Germany), Hamburg Sea Devils (Germany), Paris Saints (France), Rhein Fire (Germany)

Central Conference: Barcelona Dragons (Spain), Helvetic Guards (Switzerland), Milano Seamen (Italy), Munich Ravens (Germany), Stuttgart Surge (Germany), Tirol Raiders (Austria)

Eastern Conference: Berlin Thunder (Germany), Fehérvár Enthroners (Hungary), Leipzig Kings (Germany), Prague Lions (Czech Republic), Vienna Vikings (Austria), Wrocław Panthers (Poland).

WHO PLAYS IN THE LEAGUE?

In addition to import players from the US and all around the globe, the so-called "homegrown" players are dominant and get a big stage here to prove themselves for the NFL. It is a player’s league. Players such as Marcel Dabo (Germany), from the Stuttgart Surge, and Adedayo Odeleye (England), from Berlin Thunder, have already made the step into the NFL's International Player Pathway Program and into NFL rosters – while Kavontae Turpin, wide receiver, made the step from the Panthers to the Dallas Cowboys in 2022. Rosters will be announced in May, starting the Pre Season.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DABO HERE!

HOW DID THE FIRST SEASON GO?

The Hamburg Sea Devils and Frankfurt Galaxy entered the race for the title as favorites right after the first games. In the Northern Conference, the Wrocław Panthers were able to close in on the Hamburg Sea Devils, while in the Southern Conference it was the Centurions who made a splash with MVP running back Madre London. While the Galaxy didn't lose another game after losing their first one, the losses for the Sea Devils started after the Sea Devils prematurely made the playoffs. Games against the Kings, Panthers and also Galaxy were lost. The Centurions made it to the playoffs but were quickly defeated by the Galaxy. The Panthers gained a lot of confidence but lost to those Sea Devils in the semifinals. The Galaxy then narrowly won the final against the Sea Devils.

HOW DID THE SECOND SEASON GO?

While the Frankfurt Galaxy wanted to go back-to-back, other teams like the Vienna Vikings or Tirol Raiders joined the league, instantly becoming competitors. A Panthers team struggled with injured players, Berlin Thunder did a full 180 degree change with impressive roster changes, and the Hamburg Sea Devils were once again doing a phenomenal job in all parts of the game. The Istanbul Rams joined the league, even won a game against a strengthened Barcelona Dragons team that reached for the title. Istanbul Rams later stepped down after the season. Raiders quarterback Sean Shelton won the MVP award, then retiring and joining the Munich Ravens as the Director of Sports for 2023. Barcelona Dragons performed well and showed everyone why to root for the underdog, but lost to the almighty Vikings in the semifinals. The Vikings won the Championship Game with a great performance in their home country against the Sea Devils.

Vienna Vikings winning the league in 2022. © Fiona Noever

Have you seen this yet?

HERE'S HOW THE TEAMS ARE PUT TOGETHER:

The European League of Football expanded the Practice Squad to 12 players for the upcoming season. The Active Roster will consist of 53 players and the Game Day Roster of 46 players. A total of 65 players will continue to make up the roster of a team. Teams have until the first of May to put together and present their roster for the 2023 season. At the same time, the teams' official Pre Season begins, which includes the start of workouts for all signed players. Four American players can be signed to play for the team, two on the field at the same time.

More info here!

NFL or COLLEGE Rules?

The European League of Football uses the NFL rulebook, but has a different kickoff variation, a slimmed-down video review and uses the NCAA's college overtime rules, because of it being more fair.

ARE THERE PLAYOFFS?

In 2023, the European League of Football will expand their playoff format to six teams compared to only four teams in the previous two years. More info here!

For more news, get our APP or follow us on social media!