The European League of Football has announced a prominent new addition. The legendary American fast food company KFC, with its German headquarters in Ratingen, North Rhine-Westphalia, has joined the "Champions League" of European football as an official partner. The ELF and KFC initially agreed on a contract for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

Strong partner for the next two years

"Once again, this is great news. It speaks for the attractiveness and appeal of our still very young league when a company as established and successful around the world as KFC joins as a strong partner and uses the ELF as a stage to promote its products. After all, KFC is represented with restaurants in all 17 ELF locations in the upcoming 2024 season," says Zeljko Karajica, Managing Director of the European League of Football.

Potential to grow together

"KFC and American football have traditionally belonged together, and we are thrilled that the ELF is now also a professional league in Europe that has captured the hearts of the football family in a very short time. We are convinced that the European League of Football has the potential to continue to grow so rapidly and are delighted to be able to accompany it on this path as a partner," says Katharina Zietz, Senior Brand & Communication Manager at KFC Germany, Austria, Denmark and Switzerland.

KFC is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands (Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, etc.), the world's largest foodservice group, and a global brand with more than 27,000 restaurants in over 145 countries. KFC has been represented in Germany since 1968 and continues to expand across the country; ISHKFC GmbH has been managing the KFC business in Germany, Austria, Denmark and Switzerland as master franchise partner since September 2023.

The European League of Football kicks off its fourth season on May 25. With Berlin Thunder, Hamburg Sea Devils, the reigning champion Rhein Fire, Frankfurt Galaxy, Cologne Centurions, Stuttgart Surge, Munich Ravens (Germany), Paris Musketeers (France), Milano Seamen (Italy), Raiders Tirol, Vienna Vikings (Austria), Panthers Wrocław (Poland), Madrid Bravos, Barcelona Dragons (both Spain), Prague Lions (Czech Republic), Helvetic Guards (Switzerland) and Fehérvár Enthroners (Hungary), 17 teams from nine nations will enter the race.

Their goal: the 2024 Championship Game on September 22 at FC Schalke 04's VELTINS-Arena in Gelsenkirchen. And spectators can already look forward to it: KFC has come up with special offers for all football fans for the final.