American Football Global: USA American Football , Canadian Football Leagues , Indoor American Football , World American Football , USA College Football , American 7s , Female American Football , USA High School Football , Flag Football World , US Armed Forces Football , Minor League American Football

USA American Football

In this section:

National Football League (Early Era 1920-1959): https://eirball.ie/national-football-league-2/
National Football League (Super Bowl Era 1960-Present): https://eirball.ie/national-football-league-2/
Early Pro Football Leagues (1890-1919):
American Football Leagues Era (1920-1950): https://eirball.ie/american-football-leagues-era-1920-1950/
United States Football Leagues Era (1960-1985): https://eirball.ie/united-states-football-leagues-era-1960-1985/
Arena / Indoor Football Leagues (1986-Present): https://eirball.ie/arena-indoor-football-leagues/
Legends Football Leagues (2004-2020): https://eirball.ie/legends-football-leagues/
XFL Football Leagues Era (1990-2020): https://eirball.ie/xfl-football-leagues-era-1990-2020/

Note: This is a record of the Major Football Leagues (NFL and Major League Rivals to the NFL or AAA Leagues). For a more comprehensive look at each Era and League, please see the individual sections, also please see the other sections on American Football in this website:

World American Football

International American Football: https://eirball.ie/international-american-football-2/
World American Football Leagues: https://eirball.ie/world-american-football-leagues-pro/
Canadian Football Leagues: https://eirball.ie/canadian-football-leagues/
Mexican American Football Leagues: https://eirball.ie/mexican-american-football-leagues/
Japanese American Football: https://eirball.ie/japanese-american-football/
European American Football: https://eirball.ie/european-american-football/

Minor League American Football:

AA American Football Leagues (3rd Level: Regional: North, South, East, West): https://eirball.ie/aa-american-football-leagues/
Semi-Pro American Football (4th Level: State Level Leagues): https://eirball.ie/semi-pro-american-football/
Amateur American Football (5th Level: Gridiron Development Football Leagues: City-Based): https://eirball.ie/gridiron-development-leagues/

Other American Football:

Women’s American Football: https://eirball.ie/womens-american-football/
US College Football: https://eirball.ie/college-football/
US Armed Forces Overseas: https://eirball.ie/us-air-force-army-football/
World Flag Football: https://eirball.ie/flag-football-world/
World E-Football: https://eirball.ie/world-e-football/

Major American Football Leagues Timeline:

Major American Football Leagues Timeline 1909-Present (from the Canadian Football League 1909-Present to the various Major Leagues in the USA and around the World, to the XFL-Era failed Leagues:

https://eirball.ie/2020/05/04/major-american-football-leagues-timeline-1909-2020/

National Football League Early Era (1920-1959)

The most successful teams in the Ohio League and Upstate New York Pro Football Circuit joined forces in 1920, in attempt at creating a true National Football League, in order to provide a common set of rules and to cut down on the spiralling wage demands, which saw players jump from team to team in search of the best pay packet. This League, the American Professional Football Association, renamed itself the National Football League in 1922, and has since become the most popular sports league in America, although from 1920-1932 it was still a Minor (AAA) League in status.

(see: National Football League for more details on 1933-Present)

National Football League Logo [Reference: 1]

National Football League 1920-1925 (Irish Players)

National Football League Super Bowl Era (1960-Present)

National Football League and American Football League 1966-1969 (Tom Furlong and Adrian Young): https://eirball.ie/2020/04/13/national-football-league-and-american-football-league-1966-1969-irish-players/

National Football League 1970-1975 (Adrian Young): https://eirball.ie/2020/04/13/national-football-league-1970-1975-irish-players/

National Football League (Preseasons):

2019

NFL Timelines

National Football League Major League Teams Timeline 1920-present

National Football League Expansion 1920-present

Early Pro American Football (1890-1919)

The first Pro american Football League was the Western Pennsylvania Pro Football Circuit in the Pittsburgh and surrounding Coal-Mining areas. The Leagues were unofficial, and the players paid under the counter. The first Word series was held in 1901, actually a five-team tournament, and that lasted two seasons. In 1903 the Ohio League became the first League to Officially pay players and when that League saw players salaries spiral due to competition from other teams for their services, four Ohio League teams joined forces with teams from Pennsylvania and Upstate New York to form the American Professional Football Association in 1920, which in 1922 changed its name to the National Football League, the Major League we know today. Canton is home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the NFL Preseason opens there with the latest induction of Hall of Fame players in honour of the Canton Bulldogs, prime players in the Ohio League and formation of the NFL.

Ohio League:

Ohio League Champions Roll of Honour 1903-1919: https://eirball.ie/2019/07/20/ohio-league-champions-1903-1919/

Ohio League Standings 1915-1919: https://eirball.ie/2019/10/12/ohio-league-1915-1919-irish-players/

American Football Leagues Era (1920-1950)

Rival Leagues to the National Football League have existed since the 1920s, most of them from the 1920s to 1960s called themselves the American Football League, and since then there has been a variety of names and ideas, such as the Continental Football League (1965-1969), World Football League (1974-1975), Spring Leagues (United States Football League, 1983-1985), Indoor Football Leagues (Arena Football League 1986-2019), World Football Leagues (World League of American Football / NFL Europe 1991-2007, Elite Football League of India 2012, China AFL 2016-2019, & LFA Mexico 2016-present), Extreme Football Leagues & Leagues which failed to get off the ground (PSFL 1993, Spring League 2000, XFL 2001, United Football League 2009-2011, FXFL 2014-2015, North American Football League 2016, The Spring League 2017-Present, XFL 2020), More recently Minority Football Leagues have appeared such as the Alliance of American Football 2019 and the Freedom Football League 2020.

Only the American Football League of 1960-1969 has been successful long-term, leading to both the start of the Super Bowl between the AFL Winners and the NFL Winners in 1967 and the eventual merger of the two leagues (They are now the American & National Football Conferences in the NFL – the Super Bowl is still played between the winners of the two Conferences)

American Football Leagues Era (1926-1950):

The first Major rival to the NFL to use the American Football League name was the AFL of 1926, and from then until 1950 Leagues using this name came and went, usually lasting only one or two seasons. Theses Leagues, however, are notable for the genesis of teams such as the Cleveland (Now Los Angeles) Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns and Baltimore (now Indianapolis) Colts, which later joined the NFL. The AFL of 1960 also reused the names of some of these teams (Buffalo Bills & Cincinnati Bengals), teams which are now also in the NFL.

American Football League 1926

American Football League 1934

American Football League 1936-1937

American Football League 1938-1939

American Football League 1940-1941

American Football League 1944

Pacific Coast Pro Football League 1940-1948

All-American Football Conference 1946-1949

All-America Football Conference (seasons): 1949

Major American Football Leagues Timelines

National Football League Major League Teams Timeline 1920-present

Canadian Football League Timeline 1869-present

National & American Football Leagues Timeline 1920-1959

United States Football Leagues Era Timeline 1960-1985

United States Football Leagues Era (1960-1985)

United States Football Leagues Era (1960-1985):

After a break in the 1950s when the National Football League started playing International games in Canada and against Canadian opposition, and the Canadian Football League provided a AAA Alternative to the NFL, new AAA Leagues started up again in the 1960s. The United Football League (1961-1964) was the first of these, and then from 1965-1969 the Continental Football League was the first to put teams in both Canada and Mexico.

The Southwestern Football League of 1972-1973 was the precursor to the World Football League (1974-1975) which aimed to bring the sport to the World, although Hawaii was as far as it got. The American Football association of 1977-1983 was another attempt at a AAA League although it was put out of business by the United States Football League (1983-1985) which was the first Major Spring League. It featured High Profile Owners, such as the later US President Donald Trump, but was itself put out of business by the NFL’s collusion with the Major TV Networks to keep it off the air, as was proved in a later anti-trust trial.

Most of these Leagues, in particular the WFL & USFL tried, and failed to become another American Football League of 1960-1969 which was so successful it forced a merger with the NFL, with the winners of the two Leagues (now conferences since the merger in 1970) playing each other in the Super Bowl. (see National Football League )

united_states_football_league — United States Football League Logo [Reference: 6]

United Football League 1961-1964 (*)

Continental Football League 1965-1969

Southwestern Football League 1972-1973 (*)

World Football League 1974-1975 (Irish Players)

American Football Association 1977-1983 (*)

United States Football League 1983-1985

Southwestern Football League (Seasons): 1973

XFL Football Leagues Era (1990-2020)

X Football Leagues Era (1990-2020)

From the early 1990s to 2020 Leagues have sprung up that have attempted to be the AFL / WFL / USFL of the Era. Some of these Leagues, such as the XFL of 2001 and 2020 have had quite an impact on the American Football scene, with big budgets, and Major TV contracts. Most of these Leagues, however, have failed to even start their first season, have defrauded investors, or just suffered from a lack of mainstream publicity in the Internet Era with so much Football and other sports available to view online.

United Football League 2009-2011

Stars Football League 2011-2013

FXFL Fall Experimental Football League 2014-2015

The Spring League 2017-Present

International League of American Football (Seasons): 1990

Professional Spring Football League (Seasons): 1993

Spring Football League (Seasons): 2000

XFL (Seasons): 2001

Stars Football League (Seasons): 2011 2012 2013

North American Football League (Seasons): 2016

Trinity Professional Spring Football League (Seasons): 2018

Alliance of American Football (Seasons): 2019

XFL (Seasons): 2020

Freedom Football League (Seasons): 2020

Major League Football (Seasons): 2020

X-League Extreme Football League (Seasons): 2020 (L)

Note: Usually considered part of the World Football Leagues.

(L) Usually considered part of the Legends Football Leagues.

Arena / Indoor Football Leagues

About Arena / Indoor Football

Indoor Football, also known as Arena Football was developed in 1986 as an 8v8 form of Indoor American Football. After an initial few seasons where the game was developed with a 4 team league, a full seasons League with eventually over a dozen teams was developed in the 1990 which was considered by the Wall Street Journal to be a fifth major.

The Arena Football League over-expanded in the 2000s with a Minor League, and its importance (and number of teams) waned since it first experienced financial diffulties in 2009, and it ceased operations after the 2019 season due to the legacy debt incurred.

There is now, however, Indoor Football Leagues all over America, all of which would now be considered Minor League or Semi-Pro (AAA, AA, or even A)

Indoor Football is played on a 50-yard field with two 8-yard endzones, and teams have 5 downs (attempts) to reach the endzone or the ball is turned over. 3 of those downs must be passing plays, making Indoor Football highly explosive and high scoring.

The main difference between Arena Football & Indoor Football is the rebound nets either side of the goalposts in Arena Football, which is the only part of the original patent given to the Arena Football League in 1989, that a subsequent ruling in 1998 ruled was copyright, the rest being Football already in other leagues.

Note: For Women’s Indoor Football Leagues, including both Serious Leagues such as the Super 8 Football League in Baja California (Mexico) and Lingerie/Legends Football Leagues (where the Women wear sexy apparel) see Women’s American Football

Note 2: The American grading system for Pro Leagues is 1. Major League, 2. AAA League, 3. AA League, 4. A League, 5. Semi-Pro State Leagues.

Equivalent to 1. Premier League / Major League Soccer, 2. EFL/USL Championship, 3. EFL/USL League 1, 4. EFL/USL League 2, and 5. National League/NPSL in the English and American Soccer System.

Note 3: League in Bold sometimes considered Major Football Leagues.

Major Arena Football Leagues

Arena Football League (Major National Leagues):

Arena Football League 1987-1991

Arena Football League 1992-2000

Arena Football League 2001-2008

Arena Football League 2010-2015

Arena Football League 2016-2019

Arena Football League (Seasons):

2019

Legends Football Leagues

The Lingerie Bowl was first played in 2004 as a rival to the Super Bowl half-time show which was seen by many fans as two long and boring. It was aired on a rival TV network and featured two teams of scantily-clad Women. The Bowl eventually came a fully-fledged league in 2009. The owner of the League admitted it was aimed at beer-drinking college students and following claims of sexism the Lingerie was replaced by bicycle shorts and crop-tops, and the League renamed the Legends Football League.

Legends Football Leagues

United States Lingerie / Legends Football Leagues

Lingerie Bowl 2004-2009

Lingerie Football League 2009-2012

Legends Football League United States 2013-2019

World Lingerie / Legends Football Leagues

Lingerie Football League Canada 2012-13

Legends Football League | Australia 2013-2014

Pretty Girls Football League | Mexico 2017

Legends Football League United States (Seasons):

2019

Women’s X-Leagues

X-League Extreme Football League (Seasons):

2020

References

Text

See individual articles on each League for References regards the text in each Era. [Links in Blue-Green]

Image References

Header Image

[1] Irish American Football Association (2018) Nostalgia – A look a some pictures from the archives [Internet] Available from: http://www.americanfootball.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/20171016_165339-1024×768.jpg [Accessed 3 July 2018]

Featured Image

[2] NASL Jersey (2016) Adrian Young in action for the Philadelphia Eagles a versus the New York Giants Preseason 1971 [Internet] Available from: https://www.nasljerseys.com/images/2013Images/2013WFL/NFL/Eagles%2070%20Road%20Back%20Nate%20Ramsey%20(24),%20Adrian%20Young%20(35),%20Giants.jpg [Accessed 9 April 2020]

Images

Image References [Photos]
Header Image

[13] Irish American Football Association (2018) Nostalgia – A look a some pictures from the archives [Internet] Available from: http://www.americanfootball.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/20171016_165339-1024×768.jpg [Accessed 3 July 2018]

Featured Image

[14] Irish Independent (2014) Tom Furlong and the NFL career that slipped away [Internet] Available from: https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/25ee2/30549403.ece/AUTOCROP/w1240h700/2014-08-31_spo_3142175_I1.JPG [Accessed 2 April 2020]

Canadian Football Leagues

Canadian Football League Major Era (1958-Present):

Canadian Football League [Ref: Canada 1]

Images:

[Canada 1] Canadian Football League (2019) CFL Logo [Internet] Available from: https://www.cfl.ca/wp-content/themes/cfl.ca/images/og-image-default.jpg?_t=201902271522 [Accessed 20 May 2019]

Canadian Football League 1993-1995

Canadian Football League 2001-2009

Canadian Football League (Seasons): 2019 2020

Canadian Football League Timelines:

Canadian Football League Timeline 1869-present

Canadian Football League Expansion 1869-present

Canadian Rugby Union (1907-1958)

The Interprovincial Rugby Football Union (IRFU), the Big Four (Hamilton Tigers, Toronto Argonauts, Ottawa Rough Riders and Montreal Football Club), The Grey Cup was donated in 1909 by the Earl of Grey, for which only Canadian Rugby Union members may play for. The CFL’s version of the Super Bowl, and since the 1950s has been in the sole possession of the CFL, when the sport broke away from the Canadian Rugby Union and formed its own League, with the Cup dating back to the late-nineteenth century.

Canadian Football is 12-a-side as opposed to 11-a-side in standard American Football, with a 110-yard field, with two 20-yard endzones (whereas in American Football it is 100-yards long with two 15-yard endzones). in Canadian Football teams also have only three downs (attempts) in which to gain 10 yards before the ball is turned over as opposed to 4 in American Football. There is also the “Rouge” – 1 Point scored when the ball is kicked out the back of the endzone.

Canadian Football League 1950-1959

Canadian Semi-Pro Football Leagues:

Alberta

Alberta Football League (Seasons): 2019

Canadian Junior Football League (Amateur):

Canadian Junior Football League Logo [Ref: Canada 3]

Images References

[Canada 3] Canadian Junior Football League | Facebook (2011) CJFL Profile Picture: March 3, 2011 [Internet] Available from: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/s720x720/172369_166507693399012_2554406_o.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_eui2=AeEmInrSy7Bp5Q4nj_j07-ZNBsVadK5KjxZ41fzEaVCISv70yVik13v0v3zYpBxRgsfUNu-p8l9wNdwiUtbFgjxmLVz-GqrX6CXGQ0Q1t3vEOg&_nc_ohc=qW-lYWvPX78AQld50UAOtsqMmpIdM9heSa3xodVrfPzv-6YUYkLSkRtlA&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=6d635c510b3954231714cee2128f1767&oe=5E6D4BE8%5BAccessed 20 December 2019]

Maritime Canada

Atlantic Football Leagues

Atlantic Football League Moosehead Cup Champions 2009-Present

Atlantic Football League 2016-2019

Quebec

Quebec Provincial Championships

Quebec Rugby Football Union (Canadian Football) Junior Series 1887-1889

Junior Quebec Rugby Football Union 1890-1899

Quebec Junior Football Provincial Championship (Canadian Football) 1902-1905

Quebec Football Leagues (Rivals):

Junior Quebec Rugby Football Union (Canadian Football) 1900-1906

Quebec Independent Junior Football League (Canadian Football) 1904-1905

Ontario

Ontario Junior Football Leagues

Junior Ontario Rugby Football Union (Canadian Football) Championship Games 1890-1901

Junior Ontario Rugby Football Union (Canadian Football) 1902-1906

Canadian Junior Football League | Ontario Conference 2014-2019

Ontario Football Leagues (Universities and Colleges):

Junior Inter-Collegiate Rugby Football Union (Canadian Football) 1906

Little Big Four (Canadian Football) 1902-1906

Canadian Shield / Prairie (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba):

Manitoba Junior Football Leagues

Manitoba Junior Rugby Football Union (Canadian Football) 1893-1904

Prairie Conference (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba)

Canadian Junior Football League | Prairie Conference 2014-2019

British Columbia

Canadian Rugby Union (Canadian Football) | Big Four Football 1947-1956

Canadian Junior Football League | British Columbia Conference 2014-2019

Canadian Football Leagues Internationals

Canadian Football League Internationals:

American Football League International 1926

Canadian Football League v American Football League Matches 1941-1948

National Football League v Canadian Football League 1950-1961

National Football League Preseason Matches in Canada 1960-1969

Canadian Semi-Pro Provincial Leagues International:

Irish American Football Teams v Canadian Semi-Pro Teams 1994-1995

Canadian U21 Teams International:

Irish American Football Teams v Canadian U21 Teams 2002-2013

Canadian U20 & High School Gridiron Football Teams in Ireland 2012-2013

Indoor American Football

About Arena / Indoor Football

There is now, however, Indoor Football Leagues all over America, all of which would now be considered Minor League or Semi-Pro (AAA, AA, or even A)

Note 2: The American grading system for Pro Leagues is 1. Major League, 2. AAA League, 3. AA League, 4. A League, 5. Semi-Pro State Leagues.

Equivalent to 1. Premier League / Major League Soccer, 2. EFL/USL Championship, 3. EFL/USL League 1, 4. EFL/USL League 2, and 5. National League/NPSL in the English and American Soccer System.

Note 3: League in Bold sometimes considered Major Football Leagues.

Major Arena Football Leagues

Arena Football League (Major National Leagues):

Arena Football League 1987-1991

Arena Football League 1992-2000

Arena Football League 2001-2008

Arena Football League 2010-2015

Arena Football League 2016-2019

Arena Football League (Seasons):

2019

AAA Arena Football Leagues:

(Overviews): Final Tables & Playoff Results organised on a decade-by-decade or era-by-era basis.

(Seasons): Results & Standings organised on a season-by-season basis. The League Seasons give just that Leagues Results & Standings for the given year i.e. National Arena League 2019 gives just the 2019 season results and Standings for the NAL.

AAA Arena / Indoor Football Leagues (National)

AAA National Arena / Indoor Football Leagues (Overviews):

Indoor Football League 2009-2012

AAA Arena / Indoor Football Leagues (West of Mississippi)

Leagues taking in the West, and parts of the South & Midwest that are west of the Mississippi.

AAA Western Indoor Football Leagues (Overviews):

Professional Indoor Football League 1998-2001

Indoor Football League 2013-Present

Indoor Football League (Seasons):

2019 2020

AAA Arena / Indoor Football Leagues (East of Mississippi)

Leagues taking in the Northeast and parts of the Midwest & South that are East of the Mississippi.

AAA Eastern Indoor Football Leagues (Overviews):

Professional Indoor Football League 2012-2015

National Arena League 2017-Present

National Arena League (Seasons):

2019 2020

AA Indoor Football Leagues (Season Overviews)

The AA Arena Football League Season Overviews give the Final Standings of each of the Leagues for the given years (i.e. all 2-3 AA Arena Leagues per year)

2019

AA Indoor Football Leagues (North East & South East)

Eastern Indoor Football Leagues (Overviews):

Leagues primarily located along the Eastern Seaboard of the USA.

American Indoor Football Association 2007-2010 (*Included teams in West)

American Indoor Football 2012-2016 (*Included teams in West)

American Arena League 2018-Present

AA Indoor Football Leagues (Mid-West):

Leagues primarily located in the Midwest but also taking in parts of the Atlantic, West & Texas.

Indoor Football League 2000

United Indoor Football 2005-2008

Continental Indoor Football League 2007-2012

Champions Professional Indoor Football League 2013-2014

Champions Indoor Football 2015-Present

Champions Indoor Football (Seasons):

2019 2020

AA Indoor Football Leagues (South):

Southern Indoor Football Leagues (Overviews):

Leagues primarily located in the South but also taking in parts of the Northeast & Midwest.

Intense Football League 2004-2008

Southern Indoor Football League 2009-2011

Lone Star Football League 2012-2014

X-League Indoor Football 2014-2015

Supreme Indoor Football 2017

National Gridiron League (Seasons):

2020

AA Indoor Football Leagues (West):

Leagues primarily located in the West but taking in parts of the Midwest & Texas.

American Indoor Football Association 2007-2010 (*Primarily East Coast)

American Indoor Football 2012-2016 (*Primarily East Coast)

Super 8 Football League West Coast 2016-Present (*Also see NW Mexico-Southwest USA)

American West Football Conference (Seasons):

2019 2020

Indoor 8-v-8 Mexican Arena Leagues

Liga Extrema se Football Arena (LEXFA)

Liga Extrema de Football Arena Mexico

LEXFA: Lega Extrema de Fútbol Arena México (LEXFA) Division I Otoño 2013-2019

LEXFA: Liga Extrema de Football Arena Mexico (LEXFA) Autumn Division II 2013-2016

Liga Extrema de Futbol Arena Mexico

LEXFA: Lega Extrema de Fútbol Arena México (LEXFA) Division I Otoño 2013-2019

LEXFA: Liga Extrema de Football Arena Mexico (LEXFA) Autumn Division II 2013-2016

LEXFA Zona Golfo de Mexico (Seasons): Spring 2013

LEXFA Zone Occidente (Seasons): Spring 2013

Super 8 Football League

Super 8 football League Logo [Ref: 5]

Images References

[5] Super 8 Football League (2018) Super 8 Football League Logo [Internet] Available from: http://super8footballleague.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/10378207_1545248759045177_2010222216677056541_n.jpg [Accessed 20 July 2019]

Baja California (Arena):

Super 8 Football League Baja 2012-Present

Southern California-Nevada (Arena):

Super 8 Football League West Coast 2016-Present

Baja-California-Nevada Tournaments (Seasons):

Super 8 Football League Bowls & Tournaments 2010-Present

Super 8 Football League Tournaments (Seasons):

Winter Bowl 2014 Copa Tijuana 2017 Battle 4 San Diego 2019 Eight Man Outdoor 2020

Mexican Women’s Indoor American Football

Liga Extrema de Futbol Arena Mexico Femenil (LEXFA)

Liga Extrema de Football Arena Mexico (LEXFA) Femenil 2011-2019

LEXFA Torneo FXF (Seasons): 2011

Super 8 Football League Ladies Baja (Mexico):

Super 8 Football League Ladies Championship 2016-2017

World Arena Football Leagues

Arena and Indoor Football Leagues located outside of the USA.

World Arena Leagues (Overviews):

China Arena Football League 2016-2019

China Arena Football League (Seasons):

2019

Legends Football Leagues

United States Lingerie / Legends Football Leagues

Lingerie Bowl 2004-2009

Lingerie Football League 2009-2012

Legends Football League United States 2013-2019

World Lingerie / Legends Football Leagues

Lingerie Football League Canada 2012-13

Legends Football League | Australia 2013-2014

Pretty Girls Football League | Mexico 2017

Legends Football League United States (Seasons):

2019

Women’s X-Leagues

X-League Extreme Football League (Seasons):

2020

Image References

Header Image

Featured Image

[2] Brian O’Reilly – Irish Independent (2014) February 13 2014: Video: Irish woman becomes star of Australia’s Lingerie Football League [Internet] Availabble from: https://cdn-03.independent.ie/videos/article30006990.ece/fd099/AUTOCROP/h342/West%20Cork’s%20Linda%20Holland%20on%20reaching%20football’s%20largest%20stage%20in%20Australia%20(Generated%20thumbnail) [Accessed 29 November 2019]

World American Football

World American Football by Decade and Region

American Football Leagues started around the World in the following order by decade and have been listed in this Index in this order:

World Pro & International American Football

World Pro American Football The first World Professional American Football League was the World League of American Football in 1991.

International American Football The first Internationals were played in 1926

World American Football Leagues

Canadian Football Leagues The Grey Cup, Canada’s Super Bowl was first played in 1909

Mexican American Football The Mexican College Championship, the Premier Competition in Mexico has been played since 1933.

Japan American Football The Rice Bowl, Japan’s Super Bowl, has been played since 1947.

Europe American Football The Italian Championship has been played since 1977, and the Eurobowl, Europe’s Super Bowl since 1986.

American Football Ireland has its own page on Eirball: American Football Ireland

Pacific American Football The first Australian State and New Zealand Provincial Gridiron Championships have been played since 1982.

Asia American Football Asia, being the biggest, most diverse and most populous continent, has discovered American Football at different times:

Korean American Football The Kimchi Bowl, Korea’s Super Bowl has been played since 1995 between the winners of the Tiger Bowl (University Championship) and Gwanggaeto Bowl (Social – Corporate Championship). The National University Championship has been played since 1958

West Asia American Football The first American Football Leagues in countries such as Turkey, Israel and UAE were played from 2001 onwards.

East & South Asia American Football American Football Leagues were first played in China, India and South East Asian Countries such as Malaysia and Philippines in the 2010s.

Latin American Football The first Kitted (Contact) American Football Leagues in South and Central America, other than Mexico appeared in the 2000s

African American Football The first American Football League in Africa was the Egyptian League in 2015.

World Pro American Football

Major American Football Leagues have been played outside of the USA since the World League of American Football in 1991.

World League of American Football Logo [Ref: World Pro 1]

Images References

[World Pro 1] World League of American Football (2018) WLAF Logo [Internet] Available from: http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/WLAFlogo.gif [Accessed 23 April 2018]

World Pro American Football Leagues (Bowl Games):

World Pro American Football Leagues Bowl Games 1991-2019

World Pro American Football Leagues (Overviews):

World League of American Football 1991-1992

American Football League of Europe 1993-1995

World League of American Football 1995-1997

National Football League Europe 1998-2007

United Football League 2009-2011

Elite Football league of India 2012

Lingerie Football League Canada 2012-13

Legends Football League Australia |2013-14

China Arena Football League 2016-2019

Pretty Girls Football League | Mexico 2017

World Pro American Football League Seasons:

American Football League of Europe 1995

China Arena Football League 2019

International American Football

The first match that could be described as an International Gridiron or American Football mstch is the one between two AFL teams in Canada in 1926. Following this the NFL and AFL played a series of matches between the Leagues in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s.

In 1941 the first Canadian Football League v American Football League matches were held, and in 1950 the first match between a National Football League team and a Canadian Football League team.

Beginning in the 1970s, there were attempts at promoting American Football in Europe, through the Intercontinental Football League, and from there the World. In 1976 the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Chargers played in Tokyo. In 1984 two United States Football League teams played in London, and in 1986 the first NFL American Bowl preseason game was held in London.

In 1999 the first World Cup was held, involving USA, Canada, as well as four other Nations which have to qualify through a series of matches.

In 2007 the NFL decided to promote the NFL in London, Mexico City and Toronto with the International Series of Regular Season games, which have run until the present.

National Football League v Canadian Football League Cartoon [Ref: International 1]

Images

[International 1] Ninety-Nine Yards, Chris Lawton (2020) An International Fixture: When the CFL played teams from other leagues [Internet] Available from: https://i0.wp.com/ninetynineyards.com/wp-content/upl

Major American Football Leagues Internationals

American Football League International (1926)

American Football League International 1926

National Football League v American Football Leagues (1927-1937):

Whilst not strictly speaking International matches, the National Football League has also played matches against American Football League teams in the 1920s, 1930s, & 1940s.

National Football League v American Football League 1927-1928

California Winter League 1927-1928

Memphis Tigers | AAA Independent American Football 1929-1933

National Football League v Pacific Coast Football League 1936

Pacific Coast Football Leagues (Seasons): 1927 1928

Canadian Football League v Major American Football Leagues (1941-1969)

Canadian Football League v American Football League Matches 1941-1948

National Football League v Canadian Football League 1950-1961

National Football League Preseason Matches in Canada 1960-1969

Major American Football Leagues International (1972-Present)

The National Football League began playing matches abroad in 1950, with a series of matches in Canada and against Canadian opposition, which lasted until 1969. Then it played a match in Paris in 1972, as well as matches in the 1970s in Tokyo in partnership with the Intercontinental Football League. In the 1980s it started playing preseason matches in Europe (the American Bowl) and after the NFL Europe Development League experiment (1991-2007) it scheduled Regular Season NFL games in London, as well as preseason games in Japan, Mexico & Toronto.

In the meantime there has also been matches between NCAA and Minor League teams and teams from Leagues around the World.

National Football League International Games

National Football League Intercontinental 1972-1978

United States Football League | Postseason Exhibition Game in London 1984

National Football League | American Bowl Pre-Season Games in Europe 1986-1997

National Football League American Bowl Preseason Games in Mexico 1994-2001

National Football League International | Regular Season Games in London 2007-Present

AAA Leagues Internationals

The Spring League v Japan National Team 2020

Minor American Football Leagues Internationals

Intercontinental Football League European Championship 1976-1978

Proposed American Football League in USSR 1979

Intercontinental Football League European Championship (Seasons): 1978 1977 1976

US and Canadian Colleges Internationals (1947-Present)

US College Division I Teams Games Abroad:

NFL & NCAA Pre-Season Games in Ireland 1988-1997

NCAA Football | Regular Season Games in Ireland 2012-2016

US College Division III Football Games v World Opposition

Tazon Azteca (Aztec Bowl – Mexican v US American Football) 1947-Present

International American Football | Ireland v NCAA Division III Teams 2004-2005

International American Football | Irish Teams v NCAA Division III Teams 2007-2019

US College Division III Football Games Abroad

Intercontinental Football League College and Air Force Games 1972-1973

International American Football USSR 1989

American Football World Cups

American Football World Cup (Editions): 1999 2003 2007 2011

American Football European Championships

American Football Europe Federation European Championships (Editions): 1983

Internationals (Non-USA & Canada)

Ireland:

For more on Irish International American Football see: International American Football (Ireland)

United Arab Emirates:

United Arab Emirates | International American Football Matches 2012-2018

Canadian Football Leagues

Canadian Football League Major Era (1958-Present):

Canadian Football League [Ref: Canada 1]

Images:

[Canada 1] Canadian Football League (2019) CFL Logo [Internet] Available from: https://www.cfl.ca/wp-content/themes/cfl.ca/images/og-image-default.jpg?_t=201902271522 [Accessed 20 May 2019]

Canadian Football League 1993-1995

Canadian Football League 2001-2009

Canadian Football League (Seasons): 2019 2020

Canadian Football League Timelines:

Canadian Football League Timeline 1869-present

Canadian Football League Expansion 1869-present

Canadian Rugby Union (1907-1958)

Canadian Football League 1950-1959

Canadian Semi-Pro Football Leagues:

Maritime Provinces

Maritime Football League (Canada) 2015-2019

Quebec

Quebec Major Junior Football League 2011-2019

Northern Ontario & Quebec

Northern Football Conference 2015-2019

Alberta

Alberta Football League (Seasons): 2019

Canadian Junior Football League (Amateur):

Canadian Junior Football League Logo [Ref: Canada 3]

Images References

Maritime Canada

Atlantic Football Leagues

Atlantic Football League Moosehead Cup Champions 2009-Present

Atlantic Football League 2016-2019

Quebec

Quebec Provincial Championships

Quebec Rugby Football Union (Canadian Football) Junior Series 1887-1889

Junior Quebec Rugby Football Union 1890-1899

Quebec Junior Football Provincial Championship (Canadian Football) 1902-1905

Quebec Football Leagues (Rivals):

Junior Quebec Rugby Football Union (Canadian Football) 1900-1906

Quebec Independent Junior Football League (Canadian Football) 1904-1905

Ontario

Ontario Junior Football Leagues

Junior Ontario Rugby Football Union (Canadian Football) Championship Games 1890-1901

Junior Ontario Rugby Football Union (Canadian Football) 1902-1906

Canadian Junior Football League | Ontario Conference 2014-2019

Ontario Football Leagues (Universities and Colleges):

Junior Inter-Collegiate Rugby Football Union (Canadian Football) 1906

Little Big Four (Canadian Football) 1902-1906

Canadian Shield / Prairie (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba):

Manitoba Junior Football Leagues

Manitoba Junior Rugby Football Union (Canadian Football) 1893-1904

Prairie Conference (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba)

Canadian Junior Football League | Prairie Conference 2014-2019

British Columbia

Canadian Rugby Union (Canadian Football) | Big Four Football 1947-1956

Canadian Junior Football League | British Columbia Conference 2014-2019

Canadian Football Leagues Internationals

Canadian Football League Internationals:

American Football League International 1926

Canadian Football League v American Football League Matches 1941-1948

National Football League v Canadian Football League 1950-1961

National Football League Preseason Matches in Canada 1960-1969

Canadian Semi-Pro Provincial Leagues International:

Irish American Football Teams v Canadian Semi-Pro Teams 1994-1995

Canadian U21 Teams International:

Irish American Football Teams v Canadian U21 Teams 2002-2013

Canadian U20 & High School Gridiron Football Teams in Ireland 2012-2013

Mexican American Football

Mexican Pro-Leagues:

Images References

[1] Liga Football Americano Mexico (2019) LFA 2018 Logo [Internet] Available from: https://i1.wp.com/lfa.mx/2018/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/LFAlogonew.png?fit=734%2C734&ssl=1 %5BAccessed 1 August 2018]

Major Mexican American Football Leagues:

Liga Futbol Americano (Mexico) 2016-2019

Liga Football Americano (Mexico) (Seasons): 2020 2019 2016

AAA Mexican American Football Leagues:

Futbol Americano de Mexico 2019-Present

Futbol Americano (Mexico) Asociacion 2014-2016

Futbol Americano de Mexico (Seasons): 2021 2020 2019

Organisation Mexicano de Futbol Americano OMFA Pro (seasons): 2011 2010

Mexican College American Football

***Mexican v USA College* *Bowls***

Tazon de las Estrellas CONADEIP (Mexican) v NCAA (USA) All-Star College Bowl 2013-Present

Tazon Azteca ONEFA (Mexico) v NCAA (USA) All-Star College Football Bowl 1947-2016

Mexican Colleges

ONEFA Logo [Ref: 2]

Images References

Mexican College Bowls

Tazon Azteca ONEFA v CONADEIP Mexican College All-Star Bowl 2018-Present

ONEFA (Mexican College Football) Campeones Nacional de Liga Mayor 1933-Present

CONADEIP Primera Fuerza (Mexico Private College American Football) Finals 2013-2019

ONEFA Liga Mayor (Major League)

[2] ONEFA (2020) ONEFA Logo [Internet] Available from: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/PpcJl5QlfPoMSO4T5EdZd4ou8LwusCaoqw0_cjYcC2_CTplUWHkQJTa9S-DKMPI-FrkqeXFWoppz6Rha95yr [Accessed 11 May 2020]

ONEFA Liga Mayor Conferencia de los Diez Grandes (ONEFA Mexico Major League Big 10) 1996-1999

CONADEIP Primera Fuerza (Premier League)

CONADEIP Primera Fuerza (Mexican College American Football) 2013-2014

Mexican Junior College American Football

Images References

[3] CONADEIP (2019) logo [Internet] Available from: http://conadeipfba.org.mx/images/logo.png [Accessed 15 December 2019]

CONADEIP Categoria Juvenil Finals

CONADEIP Categoria Juvenil (Mexican Junior College Football) Finals 2013-Present

CONADEIP Categoria Juvenil (Junior College)

CONADEIP Categoria Juvenil (Mexican Junior College Football) 2015-2016

Federation Mexicana de Football Americano

Mexican State Leagues:

Chihuahua:

Asociacion de Football Americano de Chihuahua 2019

Edomex (Estado de Mexico):

Football Americano del Estado de Mexico A.C. (FADEMAC) | Liga Mayor 2019

Indoor 8-v-8 Mexican Arena Leagues

Liga Extrema se Football Arena (LEXFA)

Liga Extrema de Football Arena Mexico

LEXFA: Lega Extrema de Fútbol Arena México (LEXFA) Division I Otoño 2013-2019

LEXFA: Liga Extrema de Football Arena Mexico (LEXFA) Autumn Division II 2013-2016

Liga Extrema de Futbol Arena Mexico

LEXFA: Lega Extrema de Fútbol Arena México (LEXFA) Division I Otoño 2013-2019

LEXFA: Liga Extrema de Football Arena Mexico (LEXFA) Autumn Division II 2013-2016

LEXFA Zona Golfo de Mexico (Seasons): Spring 2013

LEXFA Zone Occidente (Seasons): Spring 2013

Super 8 Football League

Super 8 football League Logo [Ref: 5]

Images References

Baja California (Arena):

Super 8 Football League Baja 2012-Present

Southern California-Nevada (Arena):

Super 8 Football League West Coast 2016-Present

Baja-California-Nevada Tournaments (Seasons):

Super 8 Football League Bowls & Tournaments 2010-Present

Super 8 Football League Tournaments (Seasons):

Winter Bowl 2014 Copa Tijuana 2017 Battle 4 San Diego 2019 Eight Man Outdoor 2020

Mexican Women’s American Football

FXF Football Xtremo Femenil:

FXF Football Xtremo Femenil (Mexico) 2019

Liga Extrema de Futbol Arena Mexico Femenil (LEXFA)

Liga Extrema de Football Arena Mexico (LEXFA) Femenil 2011-2019

LEXFA Torneo FXF (Seasons): 2011

Legends Football Leagues

Pretty Girls Football League | Mexico 2017

Mexican Flag Football

Liga Extrema de Futbol Arena Mexico (LEXFA)

LEXFA Zona Caribe: Summer 2011

Japan American Football

American Football was first introduced to Japan in the 1930s, although it was not until after WWII, that it was played competitvely, with the Rice Bowl, Japan’s version of the Super Bowl, being played between the Universities since 1947, and since 1984 between the University Champions and the Social Champions (Business League – currently X-League).

There is also a third League in Japan, which is the Private Club League, opening up American Football to non-students and Corporate Workers. The JPFF (Japan Private Football Association) organises the Ocean Bowl between the JPFF East and JPFF West Champions.

Rice Bowl

Japan Rice Bowl (Universities v Social Champions):

Japan American Football Association | Japan American Football Championship | Rice Bowl 1984-2019

Social Championships

Japan X-League Logo [Ref: Japan 2]

Images

[Japan 2] X-League (2020) X-Logo [Internet] Available from: https://s3-ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/xleague/images/xlogo.png [Accessed 7 January 2020]

Japan X-League (Social League)

Japan American Football Association | X-League 2017-2019

University Championships

Japan Universities (Student Leagues)

North Japan University Championship (Japan) Pine Bowl 2012-Present (Tohuku Region v Hokkaido University)

Tohoku Collegiate American Football Association TCAA (Japan) Champions 1976-Present (Tohoku Region – Northeast Japan)

Tohoku Collegiate American Football Association (TCAA – Northeast Japan – Seasons):

2019-20 2018-19

Private Club Championships

Japan Private Football Association Logo [Ref: Japan 3]

Images References

[Japan 3] Japan Private Football Association East (2020) JPFF Logo [Internet] Available from: https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=79×10000:format=jpg/path/sce5a977e2e10f41a/image/i123385dd37d4d78c/version/1473861071/image.jpg [Accessed 10 May 2020]

Japan Private Football Association JPFF (Private / Clubs League):

Japan Private Football Association JPFF All Japan Championship Ocean Bowl 2016-Present

Europe American Football

European Championships

The first American Football European Championships were held in 1983, at Vince Lombardi Stadium, Castelgiorgio, Italy. Italy beat Finland 18-6 in the Final.

AFEF European Championships (Editions): 1983

EFL European Championships (Editions): 1987 1989

National Football League International & Development Leagues (Major & AAA – Levels 0 & 1):

After the US Air Force & Army Leagues, the National Football League set about promoting the NFL in Europe. In 1970 the film M*A*S*H saw the first mainstream exposure of American Football in Europe with its climactic Football game at the end. Immediately following this there were expressions of interest from Europeans about setting up a League, and what followed was the Intercontinental Football League, which was to feature 6 teams, including the Rome Gladiators, owned by Bruno Beneck, the director of the most popular TV Sports Show in Italy, who had successfully introduced Baseball 20 years earlier. The League never got off the ground due to the oil crisis and the spectre of Terrorism, but the IFL continued to promote the game, playing a game in 1972 in Paris featuring NFL players, as well as bringing College teams and Semi-Pro Teams from 1976-1978 to play a best-of-5 European Championship.

TV stations started showing American Football in the late-1970s and early 1980s and the first Leagues sprang up, including the Rome Gladiators in Bruno Beneck’s Italy. By 1986 the National Football League had begun to play Pre-Season games in London, Barcelona, Berlin and Dublin. The European audiences soon wanted more so the World League of American Football, featuring 3 European teams, 6 American and one Canadian, was started in 1991. It lasted two seasons before being shelved by the NFL due to the lack of interest from American fans in a Development League. The American Football League of Europe, which ran from 1994-1995 filled in the gap in Pro Football, with its mix of start-up teams and teams from the European National Leagues bolstered by American imports.

The World League returned in 1995 as a 6-team Europe-only League and was renamed the NFL Europe League in 1998. After initial success, attendances dwindled – the fans wanted an NFL franchise – so in 2007 the NFL folded the League and focused on promoting the NFL in Europe through the NFL International Series – starting with one NFL Regular Season game a year played in London, growing to 4-per-year by 2020, with the stated intention of putting a team in London permanently by 2022.

National Football League Europe Logos [Ref: Europe 1]

Image References

[Europe 1] Growth of a Game (2014) NFL Europe Logos [Internet] Available from: https://www.growthofagame.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/NFL-Europe-Logo.jpg [Accessed 23 April 2018]

US Pro Leagues in Europe (Major League):

National Football League International | Regular Season Games in London 2007-Present

National Football League | American Bowl Pre-Season Games in Europe 1986-1997

United States Football League | Postseason Exhibition Game in London 1984

National Football League Intercontinental 1972-1978

European & International Pro & Semi-Pro Weekly Football Leagues (Level 0):

Amsterdam Crusaders Independent Schedule American Football Team 2018

Central European Football League 2006-2016

National Football League Europe 1998-2007

World League of American Football 1995-1997

American Football League of Europe 1993-1995

Hamburg Devils Independent Schedule American Football Team 1993

World League of American Football 1991-1992

International League of American Football 1990

Proposed American Football League in USSR 1979

Northern Italian Football League 1976-1986

Intercontinental Football League European Championship 1976-1978

Intercontinental Football League 1974-1975

American Football League of Europe (Seasons): 1995

European League of American Football (Seasons): 1993

Intercontinental Football League European Championship (Seasons): 1978 1977 1976

European Football Associations & the Eurobowl (AAA Level 1 & AA Level 2)

Images References

[Europe 2] American Football International (2013) EFAF Logo [Internet] Available from: http://www.americanfootballinternational.com/wp-

The first Eurobowl for European National Champions was played in 1986, governed by the European Football League. The organisation fell apart in 1992, following the expulsion of the United Kingdom, and was replaced by the European Federation of American Football which ran the Eurobowl until 2015 when the German Football League International took over running the sport for one year, being replaced in turn by the Europe Division of the International Federation of American Football, the World Governing Body.

Eurobowl Finals:

European Federation of American Football Europe Eurobowl 1986-Present

European American Football Level 1 Overviews (Eurobowl):

International Federation of American Football Europe Big 6 Eurobowl 2015-present

European Football League Eurobowl (Level 1): 1986 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993

European Federation of American Football Eurobowl (Level 1): 1994

IFAF Europe European Football League (Level 2): 2016

Western Europe (A Level 3):

There has been Regional Tournaments in Western Europe since the Four Nations Bowl (England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales) in the 1990s and then the Charleroi Trophy (Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland) in the early 2000s. This was replaced by the Atlantic Cup in 2009, which ran until 2017 when the Belgian & Dutch Champions made the step up to European Football League Level.

Western European Club Championships (Level 3) (Overviews):

European Federation of American Football Charleroi Trophy Finals 2002-2004

European Federation of American Football IFAF Europe Atlantic Cup Finals 2009-2017

Western European Friendlies (Seasons): 1986

Four Nations Bowl (Seasons): 1992

Charleroi Trophy: (Seasons) 2002 2003 2004

Atlantic Cup (Seasons): 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Northern Europe (A Level 3):

The Scandinavian Cup, played in the 1990s between the winners of the Swedish, Norwegian, Danish & Finnish Leagues, is the oldest of the Northern European Regional Tournaments. It has since been replaced by the Northern European Football League, featuring the British Champions too.

Nothern European Friendlies (Level 3): 1986

EFL Scandinavian Cup (Level 3): 1987 1988 1989 1993 1994 1995

IFAFE Northern European Football League (Level 3): 2017 2018

Central Europe (A levels 3 & 4):

Central European Competitions have included the Challenge Cup (EFAF Era) and more recently the Central European Football League. These competitons have pitted the Champions of – at times – Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey – against each other in two levels as it currently stands.

Central European Football League Bowl (A level 3): 2018

Central European Football League Cup (A- level 4) 2018

International Friendlies

International American Football USSR 1989

National Leagues (Level 5 and Below)

International Federation of American Football Europe Logo [Ref: Europe 3]

Images References

[Europe 3] American Football International (2014) IFAF Europe Logo [Internet] Available from: http://www.americanfootballinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/IFAF.Europe.Logo_.2.png [Accessed 30 August 2017]

The earliest National Leagues in Europe were the ones in Italy (1977), Germany (1979) and Finland (1979) and have since grown to include just about every Country in Europe.

National Bowl Games:

EFAF National Bowl Games (Seasons): 1994 1995

EFAF AMPRO European Top 20 (end-of-season Rankings): 1995

Ireland (AFI):

As this is an Irish Sports Archive there is much more on American Football Ireland covered, so Ireland has its own page at: American Football Ireland

Britain (BAFA)

Britain: Level 1:

British American Football Association Britbowl Finals 1985-Present

British American Football (Seasons): 1984

Britain: 5th Level:

British Gridiron Football League 1987-1988

Britain: British Colleges & Universities Football:

British Collegiate American Football League 1985-1990

British Collegiate American Football League 1990-1994

Britain: Women’s

British American Football Association Women’s Sapphire Series Division 1 2017-2019

British: Youth Kitted

British Youth American Football Association Kitted League 1991

Scotland

Scottish American Football Leagues

Caledonian Thistle American Football League 1987-1988

Scottish Gridiron Association Bowl Finals 1995-1998

Scottish American Football Capital Bowl 1986-1990

Capital Bowl (Seasons): 1990 1989

Scottish Flag Football Leagues

Scottish Flag Football Friendlies 1993-94

Scottish Flag Football Association Senior 2003-2007

Wales

North West & Welsh Counties American Football League 1987

Wales Friendlies (Seasons): 1993

England

National Passball League

National Passball League (Seasons): 1991 1992 1993

English Regional Leagues

North England: Yorkshire Rose Winter League (Seasons): 1993

North England Friendlies (Seasons): 1994

Midlands: West Bromwich Sevens Tournament (Seasons): 1993

Home Counties: Home Counties Friendlies (Seasons): 1993

South England: Christine Crawley Charity Cup (Seasons): 1993

West Country: Oxford Passball Tournament (Seasons): 1993

English Senior Flag Football

English Senior Flag League 9v9 Senior Championship 2003-2005

British Senior Flag League 9v9 Senior Championship 1998-2002

English Junior Flag Football

Junior Gridiron League Youth League (14-18 y.o.) (Seasons):1994 1995

Youth Flag Football (South East England) (Seasons): 1993

Junior Gridiron League Junior League (9-15 yo) (Seasons): 1995

English Youth Two Touch Football

Junior American Football League (Britain) 1988

Junior Gridiron League Youth Two Touch League (South England) (Seasons): 1993

Junior Gridiron League Junior Two Touch League (South Britain) (Seasons): 1993

Northern Junior Gridiron League Two Touch (North England) (Seasons): 1993 1994

France (FFFA)

Brittany (Conf’Ouest):

Conference Ouest (Brittany American Football) 1997-2005

Belgium (BAFL):

Belgium (BAFL):

Belgian American Football League | Elite Division 2017

Flanders (FAFL):

Flemish American Football League | Division II 2016

Switzerland (SAFV):

SAFV Swiss American Football Federation Nationalliga A 1986-1990

Germany (AfvD)

German Football League (Seasons): 1993

Denmark (DAFF):

Dansk Amerikansk Fodbold Forbund (Denmark) Mermaid Bowl 1988-Present

Finland (SAJL):

Finnish American Football League | Division 1 (Suomen Amerikkalaisen Jalkapollen Litto | 1-divisioona) (Level 2) 2018

Iceland

Icelandic American Football (Reykjavik Einherjar) 2016-2019

Reykjavik Einherjar (Seasons): 2018-19 2017-18 2016-17

Italy (FIFA):

Federazione Italiana Football Americano 1977

Lega Italiana Football Americano 1980-1981

Spain (FEFA):

Federation Espana de Football Americano LNFA Series (Spain) A 2017-2018

Portugal (FPFA):

Liga Portuguesa de Futebol Americano (Seasons): 2020

Campeonato Nacional (Seasons): 2019

Catanonia (CLAF)

Catalan League of American Football (Seasons): 1995

Austria (FA, AFBOe)

Football Austrian (AFBOe) Austrian Bowl 1984-Present

Poland (PLAF):

Polish League of American Football 2006-2010

Oceania American Football

Since the 1980s American Football Leagues have been organised in Australia & New Zealand, with State Leagues in each of Australia’s six states as well as the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) and Leagues in three of New Zealand’s Provinces.

In addition Australian States play for the Outback Bowl, and the Champions of each State and Territory play in the Southern Cross Tournament for the right to call themselves Australian Club Champions. New Zealand’s Provinces also play for the National Provincial Championship.

Pacific American Football Leagues:

Australia

Gridiron Australia Logo [Ref: Australia 1]

Images

[Australia 1] Gridiron Australia Twitter (2020) Profile Picture, svQ6AuTx_400x400 [Internet] Available from: https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1038406427881041920/svQ6AuTx_400x400.jpg [Accessed 4 July 2020]

Australian State Championships:

Australian Inter-State Millennium Tournament (Seasons): 2000

Australian Capital Territory Gridiron League

Australian Capital Territory Gridiron League 2000-2009

Gridiron New South Wales

Gridiron New South Wales Mens Competition 2018-2019

Gridiron New South Wales Mens Competition (Seasons): 1989

Gridiron New South Wales Mens AA Competition (2nd Division) (Seasons): 1989

Gridiron Queensland

Gridiron Queensland Mens Competition (Seasons): 1988-89 2018-19

Gridiron South Australia

Gridiron South Australia Seniors 1986-1989

Gridiron Tasmania

Tasmanian Gridiron League 1999-2002

Gridiron Victoria

Victorian Gridiron Football League 1988-1989

Victorian Gridiron Football League 1999-2001

Gridiron West (Western Australia)

Gridiron West Open Mens Competition (Western Australia) 2015-2020

New Zealand

Gridiron New Zealand Logo 2002 [Ref: New Zealand 1]

Images References

[New Zealand 1] Gridiron NZ Wayback Machine (2001) head_left [Internet] Available from: https://web.archive.org/web/20010118001900im_/http://gridiron.co.nz/images/head_left.gif [Accessed 4 July 2020]

Gridiron New Zealand

GNZ National Provincial Championship (Seasons): 2000

American Football Auckland

Auckland Premier Gridiron League (Seasons): 1999-2000

American Football Canterbury

American Football Canterbury (Seasons): 2018

American Football Wellington

American Football Wellington (Seasons): 2019

Asia American Football

American Football was first introduced to Japan in the 1930s, although it was not until 1947 that it was played regularly, with the Rice Bowl, Japan’s Super Bowl played since 1947. Japan is so big on American Football it has its own page on Eirball at: Japan American Football

American Football was then introduced to Korea in the 1950s, South East Asia in the 1960s, West asia in the 2000s and China and India in the 2010s.

Korea American Football

American Football has been played in Asia since the 1950s. The Kimchi Bowl is their version of the Super Bowl and has been played since 1995 between the winners of the University Championship (Tiger Bowl) and Social Championship (Corporations) (Gwanggaeto Bowl).

The National University Championship has been played since 1958 and since 1995 is known as the Tiger Bowl.

The Gwanggaeto Bowl is the Championship Game of the Social Championship (Corporations).

Kimchi Bowl (Social Champions v University Champions):

Korea American Football Association | Kimchi Bowl 1995-2017

Tiger Bowl (National University Championship):

Korea American Football Association Tiger Bowl (University Championship) 2007-Present

Korea American Football Club Association (Arena Football):

A-League (Seasons): 2019

B-League (seasons): 2019

West Asia American Football

American Football started in countries like Israel, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Kazakhstan in the early 2000s.

Israel (AFI):

American Football in Israel | Israeli Football League 2012-2018

Turkey (TAFK):

Turkiye Amerikan Futbolu Kurlu Turkey Tournament (Seasons): 2001

United Arab Emirates:

Emirates American Football League Desert Bowl 2013-Present

United Arab Emirates | International American Football Matches 2012-2018

East & South Asia American Football

American Football Leagues started in countries like China, India, Philippines and Malaysia in the 2010s. For Japan, where the Rice Bowl, their equivalent of the Super Bowl which started in 1947 see: Japan American Football and for Korea, where their National University Championship started in 1958 see: Korea American Football.

For West Asia, where American Football started in countries like Turkey & Israel in the 2000s, see: West Asia American Football

China (AFLC)

China Arena Football League 2016-2019

China Arena Football League (seasons): 2019

Indian Sub-Continent

Elite Football league of India 2012

Philippines (PAFL)

Philippines American Football League 2018-2019

Philippines American Football League (Seasons): 2019

Malaysia (MAFA)

Malaysia American Football Association Flag Football Rose Bowl (Seasons): 2019

Latin American Football Leagues

This is a record of Latin American Gridiron (American Football) Leagues. American Football is known as Football Americano, or just simply Football, in Latin America, as opposed to Futbol, which is the Spanish name for Soccer.

The sport was first played in Mexico in the late 19th Century, and leagues first started appearing in Mexico in the 1940s. In the 2000s the first Kitted American Football Leagues started in Argentina and Brazil, and are now played everywhere in Latin America.

Mexico

Note: As Mexico is so big on American Football it has its own section: For more on Mexican American Football Leagues (Including Professional, College and State Leagues) see: Mexican American Football Leagues

Guatemala

Liga Asociacion Guatemalteca de Football Americano (Overviews):

Asociacion Guatemalteca de Football Americano 2015-2017

Brazil

Campeonato Estadiaus (State Championships)

Amazonas Campeonato Amazonense (Seasons): 2019

Candango (Goias-Brasilia) Campeonato Candango (Seasons): 2019

Santa Catarina Campeonato Catarinense (Seasons): 2020

Carioca (Rio de Janeiro) Campeonato Carioca de Futebol Americano (Seasons): 2019

Gaucho (Rio Grande do Sul) Campeonato Gaucho de Futebol Americano (Seasons): 2020

Mato-Grosseto Campeonato Mato-Grossense de Football Americano (Seasons): 2018

Paulista (Sao Paulo) Sao Paulo Football League Diamond Series (Seasons): 2019

Mineiro (Minas Gerais) Minas Gerais Football League (Seasons): 2020

Argentina

Football Americano Argentina Liga Mayor (Overviews):

Football Americano Argentina Liga Mayor 2012-2019

African American Football Leagues

The Egyptian American Football league is currently the only fully kitted contact American Football League in Africa, although there are Flag Football Leagues (Tag) in Egypt, Morocco and Ivory Coast.

Egypt

EFAF Egyptian National Football League (Overviews):

Egyptian National Football League Egyptian Bowl 2015-Present

USA College Football

Irish Players have played College Football since the 19th Century:

Below you will find a list of links to Irish Connections with the NCAA and NAIA stateside:

Division 1 Football Bowl Series and Division 1 Football Championship Series, were known as Division 1A and Division 1AA respectively. This was before the separation of the Big 5 Conferences in the FBS into the College Football Playoff.

Early College American Football

American Inter-Collegiate Football 1869-1875

NCAA Football Division 1 Football Bowl Subdivision College Football Playoff (Seasons):

2015-16

NCAA Division 1 Football Bowl Sub-Division:

NCAA | Division 1 FBS | American Athletic Conference 2013-2014

NCAA Football Division 1A (Pre-CFP)(Seasons): 1991-92 1988 1984

American 7s

The idea for American 7s came to Ryan DePaul late in 2002. His High School Football playing career was over and there was no possibility of playing College Football. He was playing pick-up, no pads or helmet football in parks and thought it needed codifying, so in 2005 he began to develop 7v7 No Pads, No Helmet, Tackle American Football.

In 2014 he was approached by lifelong friend and entrepreneur, Sener Korkusuz about launching the League to Major League level. Soon afterwards the American 7s Football League was born, starting its first season in March 2015. [Ref: 1]

American 7s Football League (Overview):

American 7s Football League 2015-2019

References

Websites

[1] A7FL (2020) About [Internet] Available from: https://www.a7fl.com/about-a7fl/ [Accessed 23 May 2020]

Female American Football

Female American Football comes in many varieties. There are the 11v11 Outdoor Leagues in USA, 7v7 and 5v5 Outdoor Full Contact Kitted Leagues around the World such as the Sapphire Series in Britain, Femenil Indoor (Arena) 8v8 Leagues, which are popular in Mexico and 7v7 Legends or Ladies Gridiron Leagues where players wear very little in terms of protective clothing.

Women’s American Football

Women’s Football Alliance (USA):

Woman’s Football Alliance Division I 2017-Present

World Women’s 7v7 & 5v5 Outdoor Leagues

Mexican Women’s American Football Leagues:

FXF Football Xtremo Femenil (Mexico) 2019

Britain: Women’s

British American Football Association Women’s Sapphire Series Division 1 2017-2019

Legends Football Leagues

United States Lingerie / Legends Football Leagues

Lingerie Bowl 2004-2009

Lingerie Football League 2009-2012

Legends Football League United States 2013-2019

Legends Football League United States (Seasons): 2019

X-League Extreme Football League (Seasons): 2020

World Lingerie / Legends Football Leagues

Legends Football League Global 2012-2014

Legends Football League Pacific Cup 2012-2013

LFL Global (Seasons): Canada 2012-13 Australia 2013-14

Legends Football League | Australia 2013-2014

Mexican Legends Leagues Pretty Girls Football League | Mexico 2017

Ladies Indoor Football Leagues

Indoor or Arena Football Leagues are 8v8 Full Contact Kitted Leagues played in converted Ice Hockey Arenas.

Liga Extrema de Football Arena Mexico

Liga Extrema de Football Arena Mexico (LEXFA) Femenil 2011-2019

Liga Extrema de Football Arena Mexico (Seasons): 2011

Super 8 Football League Ladies Baja (Mexico):

Super 8 Football League Ladies Championship 2016-2017

Image References

Header Image

Featured Image

USA High School Football

High School Football has often bee likened to a religion in the United States of America. There are many teams named after the Fighting Irish or similar Irish connections, with teams based in towns and cities named Dublin, Baltimore and other Irish town names.

Included in this record are Irish-born players who have played High School Football in USA.

Georgia High School Football Association

Georgia High School Association Football Champions AA and A 1947-Present

Washington Interscholastic Activities Association

Washington Interscholastic Activities Association High School Football Championships 4A 1973-Present

Flag Football World

Flag Football was invented in the 1940s as a non-contact version of American Football.

The first Pro leagues were set up in the coming decades, with a America-wide League currently in operation with Regional Playoffs followed by a Final with a purse of $1 Million, which includes teams of former NFL players.

Below you will find links to Top-Level Leagues Worldwide and International Tournaments:

International Senior Flag Football (Overview):

European Federation of American Football | European Flag Football Championship 2009-2013

Team Ireland Flag Football Friendlies 1997-2007

International Junior Flag Football (Overviews):

European Federation of American Football | European Flag Football Junior Championships Under 13 2010-2012

European Champions Bowl:

Flag Football | Champions Bowl 2016-2018

England:

English Senior Flag League 9v9 Senior Championship 2003-2005

British Senior Flag League 9v9 Senior Championship 1998-2002

Scotland:

Scottish Flag Football Association Senior 2003-2007

US Armed Forces Football

United States Armed Forces in Europe Leagues (AAA):

Among the earliest verifiable American Football Leagues or Associations in Europe are the American Expeditionary Force Football League of WWI which was played in France at the conclusion of the War. There was a European Theater of Operations Football Championship (WWII) in Northern Ireland in 1942, which spread to England and Wales in 1943-1944. Following WWII, the United States found itself almost immediately in a War with Communist Russia, and American Football Leagues were set up in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain & Greece (The United States Air Force in Europe – USAFE – Football League & United States ARmy EURope Football League – USAREUR) which ran right to the end of the Cold War. One USAREUR League, the Northern Italian League, became the genesis of a National League in Italy featuring Homegrown teams.

World War I & II

World War I (France – Navy & Army)

American Expeditionary Force Football League 1918-1919

AEFFL (Seasons): 1918 1919

World War II (UK & North Africa – Army & Air Force)

European Theater of Operations Championship 1942-1944

ETO Football Championship (Seasons): Autumn 1942 Spring 1943 Autumn 1943 Spring 1944 Autumn 1944

Cold War

Cold War (USAFE – Air Force)

United States Air Force in Europe Football League | Finals 1952-1993

United States Air Force in Europe | United Kingdom Sports Conference 1951-1993

United States Air Force in Europe (USAFE) Football League France Sports Conference 1953-1955

United States Air Force in Europe (USAFE) Football League Continental Sports Conference 1956-1960

Intercontinental Football League College and Air Force Games 1972-1973

Cold War (USAREUR – Army)

United States Army in Europe (USAREUR) Football League Com Z Conference 1953-1960

United States Armed Forces in Europe | Northern Italian League 1974-1975

Northern Italian Football League 1976-1986

Minor League American Football

This is a record of AA (3rd Level Regional Leagues), Semi-Pro State Football Leagues and Amateur Gridiron Development Leagues.

For AAA (2nd Level / NFL Rivals) see the following sections:

American Football Leagues Era (1920-1950): https://eirball.ie/american-football-leagues-era-1920-1950/
United States Football Leagues Era (1960-1985): https://eirball.ie/united-states-football-leagues-era-1960-1985/
Arena / Indoor Football Leagues (1986-Present): https://eirball.ie/arena-indoor-football-leagues/
Legends Football Leagues (2004-2020): https://eirball.ie/legends-football-leagues/
XFL Football Leagues Era (1990-2020): https://eirball.ie/xfl-football-leagues-era-1990-2020/

AA American Football Leagues

AA American Football Leagues are Regional Professional Leagues, that come below the National Football League and AAA American Football Leagues.

They are Regional in character i.e. being entirely based in either the Northeast/East Coast; Midwest; South or West.

Eastern Football Leagues

Anthracite Football League 1923-1924

Eastern Football League 1926-1927

Anthracite Football League 1928-1929

American Football Association 1936-1941

American Football League 1946-1950

Mid-Western Football Leagues

Mid-West Football League 1936-1937

United Football League 1961-1964

Southern Football Leagues

Dixie Football League 1936-1941

The Spring League 2017-Present

Western Football Leagues

Pacific Coast Football League 1926

Pacific Coast Pro Football League 1934-1935

Salinas Packers | California Pro American Football 1936-1937

California Football League 1938

Pacific Coast Pro Football League 1940-1948

Southwestern Football League 1972-1973

Semi-Pro State Football Leagues

The first Professional American Football League in America that openly paid its players was the Ohio League (1902-1919). Four of its leading teams, including the Canton Bulldogs asked teams in Pennsylvania and New York State to form a National League in 1920 – thus the NFL was born.

Semi-Pro Leagues exist all over USA, organised roughly on state lines.

Below you will find a link to Irish Connections throughout the USA

New York Metropolitan Area:

Semi-Pro State American Football | Five Star Football League 2010-2017

Pennsylvania:

Anthracite Football League 1924

Ohio:

Ohio League | Champions 1903-1919

Ohio League 1915-1919 (Irish Players)

Kentucky:

Armco Semi-Pro Football Teams 1924-1929

Virginia-Carolina:

Virginia-Carolina Football League 1937

Montana Leagues:

Butte Independent League 1920-1928

Northwest Leagues (Washington & Oregon):

Pacific Northwest Football League 1980

Northwest International Alliance 1980-1981

Northwest Football League 1982-1989

California:

Pacific Coast Football League 1926

Pacific Coast Pro Football League 1934-1935

Salinas Packers | California Pro American Football 1936-1937

California Football League 1938

Cal-exico (California-Mexico Leagues):

Super 8 Football League | Winter Bowl 2015

Super 8 Football League | West Coast 2016-2017

Alaska:

Alaska Football League 2015-2018

Gridiron Development Leagues

Gridiron Development Leagues (National)

Gridiron Development Leagues are American Football Leagues where the players aren’t paid in order to continue their College Eligibility. Players can thus continue playing American Football after High School, even though they didn’t get on a NCAA College team. They can thus enroll in Private Tuition and use this as a stepping stone to full University Courses & College Teams or Semi-Pro or Pro Football. It can suit players with a slower Development in High School than those who went on to University.

Gridiron Development Football League (Overviews):

Gridiron Developmental Football League 2015-2019

Gridiron Development Football League (Seasons):

2020

Gridiron Development Leagues (City / State)

Since 2000 there has also been a development whereby small leagues with 4 or so teams play a limited schedule (e.g. 2 games each), usually in one city, although some Leagues have been more National or Regional in scope.

Stars Football League (Primarily South Florida)

Stars Football League 2011-2013 : https://eirball.ie/2020/04/11/stars-football-league-2011-2013/

Stars Football League (Seasons): 2011 2012 2013

FXFL Fall Experimental Football League (Primarily NY-New England):

FXFL Fall Experimental Football League 2014-2015: https://eirball.ie/2020/01/24/fxfl-fall-experimental-football-league-2014-2015/

The Spring League (Austin, Texas):

The Spring League 2017-Present: The Spring League 2017-Present

Recreational Development Football Leagues (City):

There has also been the development of City-based recreational Leagues, such as the Sevenman Tackle Football League in Carrollton, North Texas (1999-2005)

Texas Recreational Football Leagues:

Sevenman Tackle Football League (Texas) 1999-2005