When does the 2025 European League of Football season start?

The 2025 season of the European League of Football (ELF) marks the league's fifth edition, featuring 16 teams from nine countries. The season is set to kick off on May 17 and will finish with the Championship Game on September 7th at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart, Germany. 

When does the 2025 ELF season kick off?

The season kicks off on May 17th with several notable matchups. The defending champions Rhein Fire face the Paris Musketeers in a road game. The Madrid Bravos host the Hamburg Sea Devils at home in Spain while the Panthers Wrocław play against the Hungarian franchise, the Fehérvár Enthroners. 

On Sunday, May 18th, the following matchups will take place: 

Cologne Centurions AT Berlin Thunder

Frankfurt Galaxy AT Stuttgart Surge

Raiders Tirol AT Munich Ravens 

Vienna Vikings AT Prague Lions

Nordic Storm AT Helvetic Mercenaries

In what conferences do the ELF teams play in 2025?

In 2025, the ELF is organized into four divisions: North, West, South, and East. Each division holds four teams:​

North Division: Berlin Thunder, Hamburg Sea Devils, Nordic Storm, Rhein Fire

West Division: Cologne Centurions, Frankfurt Galaxy, Paris Musketeers, Stuttgart Surge

South Division: Helvetic Mercenaries, Madrid Bravos, Munich Ravens, Raiders Tirol

East Division: Fehérvár Enthroners, Panthers Wrocław, Prague Lions, Vienna Vikings

Each team will play 12 regular-season games: six within their division (home and away) and six interdivisional games. 

How do the ELF playoffs work in 2025?

The playoff format for 2025 includes six teams: the four division winners and the two best runners-up. The top two division winners receive byes to the semifinals and home-field advantage. The remaining four teams compete in the Wild Card round, the first weekend of playoff football. 

The season concludes with the Championship Game on September 7 at the MHPArena in Stuttgart, a venue with a capacity of 60,000 spectators. 

© Roland Johannes