World Football

World Leagues

Mexican American Football Leagues (1933-Present) The first Aztec Bowl between Mexican College All-Stars and invited US College teams took place in 1947. There is a College Championship in Mexico, with the ONEFA Liga Mayor (Public College Major League) and CONADEIP (Private College Premier League) vying for superiority since the Private Colleges split away from ONEFA in 2013. The ONEFA College Championship has been played since 1933. The Liga Football Americano is a Professional League started in 2016 which has forged links with the Canadian Football League and plays for the Mexica Bowl. (see Mexican American Football for more details)

Japan American Football (1947-Present) While American Football was first introduced to Japan before WW2 it was not until 1947 that the first organised Rice Bowl was played between the East and West All-Stars. From 1982 to 2020 it was played between the University Champions and the Social Champions (Private Leagues). The X-League (Social League) took over sole ownership of the Rice Bowl from 2021 onwards. (see Japan American Football for more details)

Asian American Football (1958-Present) The first Kimchee Bowl was played in Korea in 1958 between College All-Stars. From the 1990s onwards it has been played between the College and Private Champions with the Kimchee Bowl redated to this era. Turkey started playing American Football in 2000 and China and India were introduced to American Football in the 2010s as were the Arab Countries of West Asia and North Africa (Asian American Football for more details)

European Football Leagues (1979-Present) The first National Leagues in Europe were in Italy in 1977 and Germany and Finland in 1979. The American Football League of Europe started in 1993 after the NFL axed the WLAF. It too fell by the wayside when in 1995 the NFL brought back the WLAF as a Europe-only League renaming it the NFL Europe League in 1998. It was again folded by the NFL after the 2007 season after which the Central European Football League became the main multi-state European League. The East European Football League took over this mantle in 2019 and in 2021 the European League of Football shall be recognised by the NFL and have many of the same names as the old NFL Europe League. The Eurobowl between the Champions of Europe’s top Amateur and Semi-Pro Leagues has been played since 1986. (see European American Football) for more details.

Pacific American Football (1982-Present) Australia and New Zealand began playing American Football in the 1980s. (see Oceania American Football for more details)

World Pro Football Leagues (1991-2020) The first venture by the NFL overseas was the World League of American Football (a development league) which placed teams in Europe and Canada as well as cities without NFL teams. It failed after 17 years in 2007, but Leagues have since been established in India, Canada, Australia and China by various American Leagues. A League in Mexico in 2016 – the Liga Football Americano Mexico looks set to be a third Major League having been recognised by the Canadian Football League. (See World American Football for more details on top-level World American Football Leagues)

Latin American Gridiron (2000-Present) The first American Football Leagues in South and Central America outside of Mexico were played in the 2000s. (see Latin Gridiron Football for more details)

African American Football (2010s-Present) American Football has been played in Egypt since the 2010s and there is Flag Football Leagues in Ivory Coast and Morocco. (see African American Football for more Details)

Alternatively scroll down to see links to the results and standings of all of the above Continents American Football Leagues.

International American Football

The first match that could be described as an International Gridiron or American Football match 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 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

NFL American Bowl 1997 Official Programme
NFL American Bowl 1997 Official Programme [Reference: Author’s Personal Collection]

From the 1920s when the National Football League played other Leagues there has been an International flavour to American Football

Whether it is the NFL versus other American Leagues and Canadian Football Leagues, or American Professional Teams playing in Europe and around the World there are plenty of chances to catch an American Professional Football League game around the World.

The Spring League Logo
The Spring League Logo [References: 1]

USA and Canadian Colleges Internationals

US College Division I Teams Abroad; US College Division III Teams Abroad; Global Football;

NCAA Division I Football Games Abroad:

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

NCAA Football | Regular Season Games in Ireland 2012-2016

NCAA Division 1A Freshmen Tours to Europe

NCAA D 1A Freshmen Tour of Britain (Results): 1998

NCAA Division 1AA Football Games Abroad

NCAA Division 1AA Yankee Conference College Football Games in Europe 1988-1989

NCAA D 1AA Tours to Europe (Box-Scores): Villanova Wildcats 28 Rhode Island Rams 25 Milano Kickoff Classic Italy 1989

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

Global Football NCAA v CONADEIP (Mexico) Tours to Africa (Seasons): 2011

Global Football NCAA D III Tours to Europe (Seasons): 2019

Canadian High School Tours of Europe

Team Canada HS Tour of Britain (Season Results): 1998

Picture Credit: [10] Global Football | Michael Preston (2015) When Global Football, the Irish & Midshipmen Rocked Dublin [Internet] Available from: http://www.globalfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/681161-copy.jpg [Accessed 17 January 2020]

World American Football

There are two main types of World American Football Competitions: (1) World Football Leagues, which are professional, and usually run by established North American Football Leagues such as the National Football League (NFL) and Legends Football League (LFL) or former Players and Coaches of those Professional Leagues. And (2) American Football World Cups and International Friendlies between Amateur National teams.

European League of Football Logo
European League of Football Logo [References: 1]

[1] European League of Football Facebook Page (2021) Profile Picture, February 4, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/europeanleagueoffootball/photos/a.100150555247238/159345569327736/ [Accessed 27 April 2021]

World American Football Leagues have been around since 1991 when the National Football League (NFL) established the World League of American Football in USA, Canada and Europe.

Since then they have reached India and China, as well as the Legends Football Leagues (Women’s) establishing Leagues in Canada, Australia and Mexico

selective focus close up photo of brown wilson pigskin football on green grass
Photo by Jean-Daniel Francoeur on Pexels.com

Irish-Born AAA American Football Players, Coaches & Personnel:

Panthers Wrooclaw ELF (2021), Aviators TSL (2021)

Emmett Waldron | Irish-Born Pro & College American Football Player 1993-1999

(Rice Owls (NCAA), Scottish Claymores (WLAF-NFLE))

Linda Holland | Irish-Born Pro Legends-Arena American Football Player 2014

(Western Australia Angels (LFL Australia))

football game

World American Football

American Football World Cups

American Football International Rankings

World Top 225 American Football Teams (Outside USA & Canada) 2019

American Football World Cup (Editions): 1999 2003 2007 201

IFAF Junior World Championships

International Federation of American Football Junior World Championship Finals 2009-Present

American Football Europe Federation European Championships (Editions): 1983

Internationals Non-USA and 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

Picture Credit: Pexels Free Photos

European American Football

The history of European American Football dates back at least to the First World War and the tours by American Servicemen. From 1972 onwards there have been attempts by the National Football League (NFL) and other Professional American Football Leagues to establish Professional American Football in Europe. while none of these attempts have so far been successful it has led to numerous leagues all over Europe played by Europeans.

There have been European Championships (for National Teams) since 1983 and likewise the Eurobowl (for Club Champions) since 1984. Regional Champions Leagues such as the Atlantic Cup which Irish teams entered have also been competed for since the 1980s. The first National Leagues were in Italy (1977), Germany (1979) and Finland (1980) and there are now either teams or leagues everywhere even including such small countries as Luxembourg and Iceland, except Greece and a few small countries.

This Page is organised as follows:

  1. European Football Leagues (Major & AAA – Levels 0-1) – European League of Football, East European Super League, National Football League Europe League, American Football League of Europe, World League of American Football, Intercontinental Football League
  2. United States Professional Leagues in Europe (Global, Major and Minor) – National Football League International, American Bowl, United States Football League in Europe, Intercontinental Football League
  3. United States Armed Forces in Europe Football Leagues (WWI, WWII, Cold War) – USAFE, USAREUR, ETO, AEFFL
  4. European Internationals (IFAFE, EFAF, EFL) – European Championships, International Friendlies
  5. European Club Internationals (AAA & AA – Levels 1-2) – Eurobowl, European Cups.
  6. Regional European Cups (AA & A – Levels 2-3) – Western European Cups (Atlantic Cup, Charleroi Trophy, Four Nations Cup), Northern European Cups (NEFL, Scandinavian Cup), Central European Cups (CEFL, Challenge Cup)
  7. European National Leagues – Britain (British-wide Leagues and England)
  8. European National Leagues – Celtic Leagues (Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Galicia)
  9. European National Leagues – Scandinavian Leagues (Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland)
  10. European National Leagues – German Leagues (GFL and Regionalligas, German State Leagues)
  11. European National Leagues – Central European Leagues (Austria, Switzerland, BeNeLux, Belgium, Netherlands, Flanders)
  12. European National Leagues – Southern European Leagues (Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Catalonia),
  13. European National Leagues – East European Leagues (Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary),
  14. European National Leagues – South East European Leagues (Alpe-Adria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Romania)

European Football Leagues (Major & AAA – Levels 1-2)

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.

European League of Football Logo
European League of Football Logo

[1] European League of Football Facebook Page (2021) Profile Picture, February 4, 2021 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/europeanleagueoffootball/photos/a.100150555247238/159345569327736/ [Accessed 27 April 2021]

About European Football Leagues

The First attempts at creating a European American Football League were in the 1970s following the hit film M*A*S*H and its climactic ending featuring an American Football game which intrigued European audiences.

Following on from this a couple of failed start-ups led in 1991 to the National Football League (NFL) creating the World League of American Football (WLAF) as a Development League. After two years with teams in USA, Canada and Europe it was shelved and returned in 1995 as a Europe-only league which itself was shelved in 2007 in order to promote the NFL itself in Europe through the International Series of NFL regular season games in London.

Following a number of low-key European Leagues, based primarily in Central and Eastern Europe between 2007 and 2019, the European League of Football in 2021 became the latest big-time Professional Football League in Europe, retaining the rights to the old WLAF / NFLE team names.

United States Football League Logo
USFL Logo

Picture Credit: [4] Sports Logos History (2018) USFL Logo 1983-1985 [Internet] Available from: https://sportslogohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/united_states_football_league.png [Accessed 31 December 2019]

United States Armed Forces in Europe Leagues

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.

USAFE Final 1952 [Reference: 9]

Picture Credit: [9] Britball Now (2019) USAFE Final 1952 (Wembley) [Internet] Available http://www.britballnow.co.uk/_Media/1952-usaf-final-wembley_med.jpeg [Accessed 8 November 2019]

After World War II and as the Cold War set in, the United States Air Force in Europe set up a Football Championship with three Conferences: United Kingdom, Continental (France and Germany) and Mediteranean (Italy, Spain and Greece) Sports Conferences. There was also a smaller USAREUR (United States Army in Europe) Football League. The USAFE Championship wound down in 1993 due to the end of the Cold War.

The Yarvard Team at Larne on August 22, 1942 [References: 14]

Picture Credit: [14] Belfast Blitzers | Facebook (2019) Photo 22 August 2019 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/belfastblitzers/photos/pcb.2260513057393170/2260507127393763/?type=3&theater [Accessed 23 August 2019]

The American Expeditionary Force (France WWI) and European Theater of Operations (Britain and Northern Ireland WWII) United States Army and Navy Units played Football Leagues during World War I and II in France, Britain, Northern Ireland, and North Africa.

World War I & II (AEF and ETO)

AEFFL (1914-1919); ETO (1940-1945)

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

European Theater of Operations Championship 1942-1944

ETO Football Championship (Seasons):

Autumn 1944 Spring 1944 Winter 1944 Autumn 1943 Spring 1943

World War I (France – Navy & Army)

American Expeditionary Force Football League 1918-1919

AEFFL (Seasons): 1919 1918

European Internationals

The First European Championships for European National teams took place in 1983, there have also been tours by European teams to USA and American and Canadian teams to Europe.

EFAF Logo
EFAF Logo

Picture Credit: [1] American Football International (2013) EFAF Logo [Internet] Available from: http://www.americanfootballinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/EFAF_logo.gif [Accessed 30 August 2017]

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

European Championships

AFEF 1983; EFL 1987-1989; EFAF A-Group 2005-2010; EFAF B-Group 2004-2009; EFAF C-Group 2003-2007;

European Championships

EFAF EC A-Group (Editions): 2010 2005

EFL EC (Editions): 1993 1989 1987

AFEF EC (Editions): 1983

European Championships B-C Groups & Qualification

EFAF EC B-Group (Editions): 2009 2004

EFAF EC C-Group (Editions): 2007 2003

EFL EC-Qualification (Editions): 1989

European Junior Championships

EFAF EJC (Editions): 1998

EFAF EJC-Qualification (Editions): 1998

European Rankings

AFI European Nations Top 22 (end-of-year Rankings): 2019

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

American Football in Russia Billboard 1989
American Football In Russia Billboard 1989

Picture Credit: [3] American Football (Russia) (2017) History in Russia | Billboard Advertising First College Game in Russia 1989 [Internet] Available from: http://www.americanfootball.ru/History/pics/billboard-1989-400×600.jpg%5BAccessed 24 December 2017]

European Club Championships (AAA & AA Levels 2-3)

Eurobowl 86 Logo

Picture Credit: [6] Wikipedia (2020) EuroBowl 86 Logo {Internet] Available from: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/de/thumb/2/2c/EuroBowl86.svg/1200px-EuroBowl86.svg.png [Accessed 5 April 2020

About the Eurobowl

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 (Level 1)

Eurobowl; EFL

Eurobowl Finals:

European Federation of American Football Europe Eurobowl 1986-Present

Eurobowl (Level 1)

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

EFAF Eurobowl

EFAF Eurobowl: 1994 1993

EFL Eurobowl (Season Results):  

 1992 1991 1990 1989  1988 1986

European Football Cups (Level 2)

IFAFE European Club Team Championship (Level 2)

International Federation of European Football Europe European Club Team Championship Super Final 2018-2019

European Football League (Level 2)

IFAF Europe EFL (Seasons):2016 2015

EFAF-Cup (Level 2)

EFAF Euro Cup (Level 2)

Regional European Leagues (AA & A Levels 3-4)

Below the European Football League and Eurobowl Levels are Regional Football Leagues, namely West European, North European, East European and Central European Bowls.

Atlantic Cup I Logo

There have 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 Europe

Four Nations Bowl; Charleroi Trophy; Atlantic Cup;

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

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

European Federation of American Football Charleroi Trophy Finals 2002-2004

European Federation of American Football Dutch Invitational Tournament 1997-1998

European Federation of American Football West European Club Friendlies 1997-1998

Atlantic Cup (Seasons):

 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 

Charleroi Trophy: (Seasons)

 2004 2003 2002

Anglo-Scottish Friendlies (Seasons): 

1998

Dutch International Tournament (Seasons): 1997 

Four Nations Bowl (Seasons):

1992

Western European Friendlies (Seasons):

1986

IFAF Europe Logo
IFAF Europe Logo[References: 1]

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.

Northern Europe

EFL Scandinavian Cup; NEFL;

IFAFE Northern European Football League (Level 3):

 2018 2017

EFL Scandinavian Cup (Level 3):

1995 1994 1993 1989 1988 1987

Northern European Friendlies (Level 3):

1986

Picture Credit:

Central European Football League Logo
Central European Football League Logo

[1] Central European Football League (2009) CEFL Logo [Internet] Available from: https://cefl.avaladsfmusic.group/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cefl-544-180-300×99.png [Accessed 6 June 2020]

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 Europe

EFAF Challenge Cup; CEFL

Central European Football League Championship (AA level 3):

Central European Football League Championship 2017-2019

CEFL Championship (Seasons):

2019 2018 2017

Central European Football League Cup (A level 4)

Central European Football League Cup 2017-2019

CEFL Cup (Seasons):

2019 2018 2017

National Leagues

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.

EFAF National Bowl Games (Seasons): 1994 1995

British American Football Association Logo [Ref:

American Football in Britain was first played in 1984 and at its’ height in the late-1980s had more than 200 affiliated adult teams.

While it suffered a slow retreat in the late 1990s it began to grow again the 2000s, helped in no small part by the NFL (National Football League) playing a series of Regular Season matches there every year.

There are now Adult Mens and Women’s Leagues or Youth, Junior, Cadet and Pee Wee Leagues in either full contact pads and helmets Football or non-contact Flag Football in 11on11, 9on9, 7on7, 6on6 or 5on5 variations.

See also English National Leagues and Celtic National Leagues for Country and Regional Level Leagues.

Picture Credit: [1] American Football International (2013) logo [Internet] Available from: https://www.britishamericanfootball.org/Images/logo.png [Accessed 30 August 2017]

British National Leagues

Britain (BAFA)

Britain: Level 1:

British American Football Association Britbowl Finals 1985-Present

British American Football Merit League (Seasons): 1984

British American Football Association National Leagues Premiership (Seasons): 2019

Britain Level 2:

British American Football Non-Merit Table (Seasons): 1984

Britain Level 3:

BAFA National Leagues Southern Football Conference (Seasons): 2019

Britain: Level 5:

British Gridiron Football League 1987-1988

British University Foootball

Britain: British Colleges & Universities Football:

British Collegiate American Football League 1985-1990

British Collegiate American Football League 1990-1994

British Women’s Football

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

British Youth Kitted

BYAFA YKL (Results): 1996 1993 1992 1991

BYAFA Youth Kitted Friendlies (Results): 1992

English Regional Leagues

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

BAFA Logo

Picture Credit: [1] American Football International (2013) logo [Internet] Available from: https://www.britishamericanfootball.org/Images/logo.png [Accessed 30 August 2017]

British Flag Football

English Senior Flag Football

English Senior Flag League 9v9 Senior Championship 2003-2005

British Senior Flag League 9v9 Senior Championship 1998-2002

British Senior Flag Tournaments

BSFL 5 on 5 Tournaments (Results and Match Reports):

English Youth Flag Football (14-18 Years Old)

National Flag Football Association Youth League (Seasons):

1998

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

1997 1995 1994

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

1993

English Junior Flag Football (12-14 Years Old)

NGA National Gridiron Association Junior Flag Tournaments (12-14 y.o.):

Junior Gridiron League Junior League (9-15 y.o.) (Seasons):

1995

English Youth Two Touch Football

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):

1994 1993

JAFL Junior American Football League (England and Wales 14-18 y.o.)

1988

There have been Independent Leagues in the Celtic Countries (Regions) of Western Europe since the Thistle American Football League and North West and Welsh Counties American Football League in 1987.

National

Hand drawn map of England with regions. Colorful hand drawn vector illustration

From 1988 to 1994 the National Passball League in England played an independent schedule with teams such as the Cannock Chase Giants, a possible reference to the Celtic Archaeology of Staffordshire.

Scotland

detailed illustration of a map of Scotland with flag, eps10 vector

Copyright: unkreatives

From 1995 to 1998 the Scottish Gridiron Association broke away from the British American Football Association before remerging in 1999.

Wales

Map Of wales With Flag As Texture Isolated On Grey Background. Vector Illustration

Copyright: lumyaisweet

n 1987 there was an Independent American Football League comprising teams in North Wales and the North West of England

Brittany

Vector map of Brittany silhouette on transparency grid background

Copyright: 1enchik

From 1997 to 2005 Conference Ouest in Brittany formed an Independent Association in North West France before again merging with the Federation Francais de Football Americain

Galicia

Vector map of region of Galicia with coat of arms and location on Spanish map

Copyright: sateda

From 2012 to 2016 it was Galicia, in North West Iberia’s turn to be an Independent Association, before merging again with the Federation Espanola de Football Americano.

Celtic National Leagues

Scotland (SGA); Wales (NWWCAFL); Brittany (Conf’Ouest); Galicia (AGFA)

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

National (NPL)

National Passball League

National Passball League (Britannia) 1988-1993

National Passball League (Seasons):

1993 1992 1991 1988

Scotland (SGA)

Scottish American Football

Scottish 7v7 Football Friendlies (Seasons and Match Reports):

Scottish Gridiron Association Bowl Finals 1995-1998

Caledonian Thistle American Football League 1987-1988

Scottish American Football Capital Bowl 1986-1990

Capital Bowl (Seasons): 1990 1989

Scottish Youth Kitted

Scottish Youth Kitted Friendlies (Seasons):

Scottish Flag Football

Scottish Flag Football Association Senior 2003-2007

Scottish Flag Football Friendlies 1993-94

Scottish Youth Flag Football

Scottish Youth Leagues and Tournaments (U18)

Scottish Claymores Flag Football Association Youth League (Seasons): 1996

Scottish Junior Leagues and Tournaments (U15)

Scottish Flag Football Association Junior Bowl Tournaments:

Wales (NWWCAFL)

North West & Welsh Counties American Football

Wales Friendlies (Seasons): 1993

North West & Welsh Counties American Football League 1987

Brittany (Conf’Ouest)

Brittany American Football

Conference Ouest (Brittany American Football) 1997-2005

Galicia (AGFA)

Galician American Football

Liga Gallega de Futbol Americano (Galicia) 2012-2016

American Football Verband Deutschland Logo [References: 1]
German Football League Logo [References: 1]
American Football Verband Bayern Logo 2001
American Football Verband Bayern Logo 2001

German Football Leagues

Germany (AFVD); Bavaria (AVFBY)

MUNICH, BAVARIA, GERMANY – MARCH 11, 2018: close up on running kids in American football clothes representing the Munich Rangers at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
MUNICH, BAVARIA, GERMANY – MARCH 11, 2018: close up on running kids in American football clothes representing the Munich Rangers at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Picture Credit: Manuel Findeis / Shutterstock.com (2018) MUNICH, BAVARIA, GERMANY – MARCH 11, 2018: close up on running kids in American football clothes representing the Munich Rangers at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. [Accessed 4 May 2021]

Germany (AFVD)

German Bowl

AFVD American Football Verband Deutschland German Bowl 1979-Present

American Football Verband Deutschland (AFVD)

AFVD American Football Verband Deutschand 1 Bundesliga 1979-1985

German Football League (Seasons): 1993

Bavaria (AFVBY)

Bayernliga (Overviews)

American Football Verband Bayern Bayernliga 1995-1999

SAFF Logo [Reference: 1]

[1] American Football International (2021) OIP [Internet] Available from: https://www.americanfootballinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Sweden-SAFF-logo.3.jpg [Accessed 26 September 2021]

SAJL Finland Logo [Reference: 2]

Picture Credit: [1] SAJL (2018) SAJL Logo [Internet] Available from: http://www.sajl.fi/@Bin/2800183/SAJL_rgb_glow%20%20laatikko.jpeg [Accessed 19 August 2018]

DAFF Denmark Logo

Scandinavian National Leagues

Finland (SAJL); Denmark (DAFF); Norway (NAFF); Iceland.

Sweden (SAFF)

Sveriges Amerikanska FotbollForbund (SAFF)

SAFF Superserien (Standings):

Sveriges Amerikanska FotbollForbund Superserien (SAFF Sweden Superseries) 1997-1999

Finland (SAJL):

Finnish American Football Federation Bowls(Overviews):

Finnish American Football Federation Maple Bowls 1980-Present

Finnish American Football Association Men’s League (Seasons): 2020 2018

SAJL Finland Suomen Amerikkalaisen Jalkopallon Liitto Nasiet (Women’s):

Denmark (DAFF):

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

Norway (NoAFF)

Norwegian American Football Federation 1st Division 1991-2000

Iceland

Icelandic American Football (Reykjavik Einherjar) 2016-2019

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

FA / AFBOe Austria Logo

SAFV Switzerland Logo
BAFL Belgium Logo

AFBN Netherlands Logo [Reference: 3]

[3] AFBN (2018) AFBN-Logo [Internet] Available from: https://www.afbn.nl/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/AFBN-Logo.jpg [Accessed 26 September 2021]

Central European National Leagues

Austria (FA; AFBOe); Switzerland (SAFV); Benelux (Big Five); Netherlands (AFBN): Belgium (BAFL): Flanders (FAFL)

Austria (FA, AFBOe)

Football Austrian (AFBOe) Austrian Bowl 1984-Present

Switzerland (SAFV):

SAFV Swiss American Football Federation Nationalliga A 1986-1990

Benelux (Big Five)

Benelux Big Five Division (seasons):

1999

Belgium (BAFL):

Belgian American Football League | Elite Division 2017

Flanders (FAFL)

Flemish American Football League | Division II 2016

Netherlands (AFBN)

AFBN Eredivisie (Seasons): 2018

Queens Football League Queens Bowl (Finals):

Queens Football League (Netherlands) Queens Bowl 2017-Present

FIAF Logo 1998
FIAF Italy Logo 1998

Picture Credit: [1] FIAF | Wayback Machine (1998) scudo [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/19980526012131im_/http://www.fiaf.net/scudo.gif [Accessed 3 August 2018]

FFFA France Logo [References: 1]

FPFA Portugal Logo [References: 1]

[1] Federacao Portuguesa de Futebol Americano Facebook (2020) Profile Picture, December 12, 2018 [Internet] Available from: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/48184495_1215926928557890_4433979014956187648_n.png?_nc_cat=104&_nc_sid=09cbfe&_nc_ohc=Obwj4T4dv0MAX_OHaHq&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=6c0e69e56872bedf51986570cc947c97&oe=5F2CAEBF [Accessed 10 July 2020]

Southern European National Leagues

Italy (FIAF); France (FFFA); Spain (FEFA); Portugal (FPFA); Catalonia (CLAF)

Italy (FIFA)

FIAF Federazione Italiana American Football Golden League 1998-2000

Federazione Italiana American Football FIAF Winter League Snowbowl 1992-2002

Lega Italiana Football Americano 1980-1981

Federazione Italiana Football Americano 1977

France (FFFA)

France: (FFFA):

FFFA French American Football Federation Division 1 2000-2010

Spain (FEFA)

Federacion Espanola de Futbol Americano LNFA Serie A Finals 1995-Present

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

Portugal (FPFA):

Liga Portuguesa de Futebol Americano (Seasons): 2020

Campeonato Nacional (Seasons): 2019

Catalonia (CLAF)

Catalan League of American Football (Seasons): 1995

FAFR Russia Logo [References: 1]
CAAF Logo
CAAF Czech Republic Logo

Picture Credit: [1] CAAF (2021) nejnovejsi [Internet] Available from: https://www.caaf.cz/_SitePublic/img/nejnovejsi.jpg [Accessed 11 April 2021]

East European National Leagues

Poland (PLAF); Slovakia (SAAF)

Russia and CIS (FAFR)

Commonwealth of Independent States (LAF, ELAF)

League of American Football 2016-2018

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (AAF USSR)

Ukraine (ULAF)

ULAF (Results): 1999

Poland (PLAF):

Polish League of American Football 2006-2010

Czech Republic (ČAAF)

CAAF Ceska Asociace Americkaho Fotbalu (Czech Republic) 1994-1999

Slovakia (SAAF)

Slovak Football League Champions 2010-2017

Slovak Football League (Seasons): 2017

Hungary (HFL / MAFSZ)

Alpe Adria Football League Logo [References: 1]

[1] American Football International (2015) Alpe-Adria-logo [Internet] Available from: http://www.americanfootballinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Alpe-Adria-logo.jpg [Accessed 12 April 2021]

Balkan National Leagues

Alpe Adria (AAFL) Slovenia (ZANS) Serbia (SAFS) Bulgaria (FAFB)

Alpe Adria (AAFL)

AAFL Alpe Adria Football League

Alpe Adria Football League 2013-2015

Slovenia (ZANS)

ZANS Zveza za Ameriski Nogomet Slovenije

ZANS Zveza va Ameriski Nogomet Slovenije (Slovenia American Football League) 1. Liga 2010-2013

Serbia (SAFS)

SAFSrbija

SAFSrbija (Serbian American Football League) 2004-2006

Bulgaria (FAFB)

FAFB Federation of American Football – Bulgaria Федерация по Американски Футбол – България

Kontinental American Football

Kontinental American Football, like the Kontinental Hockey League refers to the Open Championships and National Leagues which have started since the fall of Communism in the former USSR in 1989. The Open Championships (such as the League of American Football) have featured teams from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan. Other Leagues have included an Independent Ukrainian League and a series of Central Asian Tournaments under the auspices of the CAAFA (Central Asian American Football Association).

American Football in Russia Billboard 1989
Billboard Poster advertising first ever game of American Football in Russia in 1979.

[3] American Football (Russia) (2017) History in Russia | Billboard Advertising First College Game in Russia 1989 [Internet] Available from: http://www.americanfootball.ru/History/pics/billboard-1989-400×600.jpg%5BAccessed 24 December 2017]

Tom Kelly, the intrepid American with the Irish name attempted to organize the first American Football League in USSR in 1979.

It was not, however until 1989, that the first game was played in the USSR, and after a couple of tournaments and one USSR Championship the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) Championship was born.

FAFR Russia Logo [References: 1]
[1] League of American Football (2018) fafr_logo [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20161103012214im_/http://amfoot.ru/themes/img/fafr_logo.png?1 [Accessed 14 December 2020]

Kazan Motors set up the Autonomous “American Football for Everyone” (ANO) non-Profit Organization which united all the American Football teams (Children’s, Schools, Universities, Flag Football, Adult) in Tatarstan in 2006.

Russia, Ukraine & Belarus

UKRAINE (ULAF)

ULAF (Results): 1999

Russia (FAFR)

Moscow-Kazan Friendlies

Kazan (Tatarstan) (ANO)

ANO Kazan Maturity Cup

Kazan Domestic Flag Football League

low angle photo of concrete building
Photo by Tobias Federle on Pexels.com

Tom Kelly, the intrepid American with the Irish name started the first Central Asian American Football Association in April 2002. From then until 2008 Kazakhstan team KIMEP Titans from Almaty played a series of friendlies versus Kyrgyzstan’s AUK American University of Kyrgyzstan and Bishkek BARS Leopards.

In 2004 the first Bishkek Challenge Games were played between two Leopards teams, and then in 2007 a second team was created in Bishkek: Golden Eagles and in 2008 a third: KNU (Kyrgyzstan National University). A three team tournament was then arranged between the three Bishkek teams in 2008.

Central Asia & TransCaucasia American Football

Turkey (TAFK), Central Asia (CAAFA)

Turkey (TAFK):

Turkiye Amerikan Futbolu Kurlu Turkey Tournament (Seasons): 2001

Central Asia (CAAFA)

CAAFA Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan)

Mexican American Football

From the first College Championship in the 1930s to the most recent Professional League: Liga de Futbol Americano, the history of American Football in Mexico is the longest in the World outside of USA and Canada. This is a record of 11v11 American Football: for the Arena Indoor (8v8) version of the game which is more popular in Mexico than anywhere else see: Arena Indoor Football; For all Women’s American Football including Mexican Women’s Football see: Women’s American Football; For Flag Football see: Flag Football World

Liga de Futbol Americano (Mexico) Logo 2020
Liga de Futbol Americano (Mexico) Logo 2020

Picture Credit: [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]

Mexican Pro-Leagues

LFA; FAM; FAMA; OMFA

Major Mexican American Football Leagues:

Liga Futbol Americano (Mexico) 2016-2019

Liga Football Americano (Mexico) (Seasons):

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 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

Futbol Americano (Mexico) Asociacion FAMA (Seasons):

2016 2014

Organisation Mexicano de Futbol Americano OMFA Pro (seasons):

2013 2011 2010

Liga Nacional Master (seasons):

2008

ONEFA Logo
ONEFA Logo [Reference: 2]

ONEFA – Organizacion Nacional Estudiantil de Futbol Americano – is the leading National Organisation for American Football in Public Universities in Mexico.

The ONEFA Championship was considered the National Championship from 1933 onwards until the CONADEIP organisation of Private Colleges split away from the ONEFA Public Universities body.

The AMFA Poll is now used to decide the Mexican College Champions and the CONADEIP v ONEFA All-Star game is one of the new highlights of Mexican College Football.

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

ONEFA & Junior Colleges

ONEFA; OEFA

ONEFA (Mexican Public Universities & Junior Colleges)

ONEFA Liga Mayor (Major League)

ONEFA Liga Mayor Conferencia Diez Grandes (Big 10 Mexico) 2003-2004

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

ONEFA Liga Mayor (Seasons): 2019

ONEFA Under 15

OEFA Baja California

OEFA College (20-25 y.o.): OEFA College Bowls (Baja California College Football) 2004-2015

OEFA Varsity (17-19 y.o.) (Seasons): 2019

CONADEIP Logo

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

CONADEIP Mexican Private Colleges

CONADEIP

CONADEIP Primera Fuerza (Premier League)

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

CONADEIP (Seasons): 2019-20

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

FMFA State Leagues

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

Distrito Federal / Puebla:

LEXFA Arena Indoor Mexican Football Master 11 2014-2017

LEXFA Master (Seasons): 2019

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 non-Corporate Workers. The JPFF (Japan Private Football Association) organises the Ocean Bowl between the JPFF East and JPFF West Champions. It is included in Social Championships.

1st German-Japan Bowl 2010

Picture Credit: D. Young / Shutterstock (2010) DUSSELDORF, GERMANY – APRIL 24: The 1st German Japan Bowl. The action that lead to Japans last touch-down gathers momentum. On April 24, 2010 in Dusseldorf, Germany [Accessed 4 May 2021]

X-League Logo

Picture Credit: [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]

The Japan X-League is the highest level of American Football in Japan.

From 1984 to 2020 the X-League Champions played for the Rice Bowl with the University Champions. since 2021 the Rice Bowl is in sole ownership of the X-League after 11 X-League victories in a row.

The X-League is divided into X1 Super (Premier League), X1 Area (3 Regional League – Championship) and then below that X2 and X3 Leagues.

The JPFF (Japan Private Football Association) is the National or State Level League, with Leagues run on an East – West basis.

Social Championships

X-League

Japan X-League

Japan X-League (Social League)

Japan American Football Association | X-League 2017-2019

Japan X-League X1 Super (Seasons):

2020

JPFF Japan Private Football Association

Japan Private Football Association (JPFF )

Japan Private Football Association JPFF All Japan Championship Ocean Bowl 2011-Present

Regional Adult American Football Championships

Kizuna Bowl (North Japan – Hokkaido v Tohoku) American Football Championship 2011-Present

Hokkaido Adult American Football Association (HAFA)

Hokkaido Adult American Football Association All-Star Lilac Bowl 2013-2018

HAFF North Laundry League (Seasons): 2020

Hokkaido American Football Association Potato Bowl 2018 Poster
Hokkaido American Football Association Potato Bowl 2018 Poster

Picture Credit: [8] Hokkaido American Football Association (2020) potato2018 [Internet] Available from: http://hokkaido-afa.com/potato/potato2018.jpg  [Accessed 22 October 2020]

The Universities played for the Rice Bowl from 1947 when the introduction of American Football to Japan took hold to 1979.

From 1980 to 2020 the University Champions contested the Rice Bowl with the Social Champions (now the X-League) and from 2021 onwards the University Champions no longer compete for the Rice Bowl.

The University Championship Game is called the Koshien Bowl, with Regional Bowl Games as a Qualifier.

University Championships

Koshien Bowl

Bowl Games

Japan Universities National Championship

Japan Collegiate American Football Koshien Bowl (East v West) 2016-Present

Japan College Football (Seasons): 2019

JCAFA Koshien Bowl Division Standings & Playoffs (Seasons): 2020 2019

Japan Universities Regional Championships

East Japan Collegiate Football Deciding Match (Kantoh v North Japan) 2016-Present

North Japan University Football Pine Bowl (Tohoku v Hokkaido) 2012-Present

Japan Collegiate American Football Association Heiwadai Bowl (Chushikoku v Kyushu) 1983-2015

Japan Collegiate American Football Tokyo Bowl (Kantoh v Kansai) 2016-Present

Tokyo-Osaka Regions

Kansai Football

Kansai Football (Seasons): 2020 2019

Kantoh Collegiate Football Association (KCFA – East Japan)

KCFA (Seasons): 2020 2019

North Japan Regions

Hokkaido Student American Football Association (HAFA – North Japan)

Hokkaido American Football Association Potato Bowl 2013-2018 (Charity Bowl)

Seasons: 2019

Tohoku Collegiate American Football Association (TCAA – North Japan)

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

Seasons: 2019 2018

West Japan Regions

Kyushu Collegiate American Football Association (KCAFA – West Japan)

KCAFA (Seasons): 2019

Tokai Collegiate American Football Association (TKCAFA – West Japan)

TKCAFA (Seasons): 2019

Chushikoku Collegiate American Football Association (CSCAA – West Japan)

CSCAA (Seasons): 2019

Hokuriku Collegiate American Football Association (HCAFA – West Japan)

HCAFA (Seasons): 2019

Asian 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. Korea, likewise has been playing American Football since the National University Championship was started in 1958. West Asia started playing American Football in the 2000s and China, India, Central Asia and South East Asia in the 2010s.

KAFA Logo [Reference: 1]

Picture Credit: [1] Korea American Football Association (2019) logo [Internet] Available from: http://www.kafa.org/kafa_new/images/logo.gif [Accessed 5 July 2020]

American Football has been played in Korea 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).

Korea (KAFA)

KAFA

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

Emirates American Football League
Emirates American Football League Logo [References: 9]

Picture Credit: [9] Emirates American Football League (2019) logo [Internet] Available from: https://eafl.ae/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/logo.png [Accessed 5 July 2020]

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

low angle photo of concrete building
Photo by Tobias Federle on Pexels.com

Tom Kelly, the intrepid American with the Irish name started the first Central Asian American Football Association in April 2002. From then until 2008 Kazakhstan team KIMEP Titans from Almaty played a series of friendlies versus Kyrgyzstan’s AUK American University of Kyrgyzstan and Bishkek BARS Leopards.

In 2004 the first Bishkek Challenge Games were played between two Leopards teams, and then in 2007 a second team was created in Bishkek: Golden Eagles and in 2008 a third: KNU (Kyrgyzstan National University). A three team tournament was then arranged between the three Bishkek teams in 2008.

Central Asia & TransCaucasia American Football

Turkey (TAFK), Central Asia (CAAFA)

Turkey (TAFK):

Turkiye Amerikan Futbolu Kurlu Turkey Tournament (Seasons): 2001

Central Asia (CAAFA)

CAAFA Central Asian Challenge Games

CAAFA Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan)

EFLI Logo [References: 1]

Picture Credit: [1] Wikipedia (2018) Elite Football League of India Logo [Internet] Available from: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f0/Elite_Football_League_of_India_Logo.png [Accessed 2 August 2018]

South Asia American Football

EFLI; EFLI SL;

Indian Sub-Continent Pro Leagues (EFLI)

Elite Football league of India 2012

India (EFLI)

All India University American Football Championship (Seasons): 2015 2016

Bengaluru Cup 7v7 American Tackle Football Championship (Seasons): 2015

Sri Lanka (EFLI SL)

Elite Football League of India Sri Lanka – University Flag Football League 2015

CAFL Logo [References: 10]

Picture Credit: [10] China Arena Football League (2019) CAFL 2019 Competition Medal [Internet] Available from: http://caflfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/CAFL-2019-Competition-Medal-768×768.png [Accessed 10 December 2019]

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

East & South East Asia American Football

China (AFLC)

China (AFLC)

China Arena Football League 2016-2019

China Arena Football League (seasons): 2019

American Football League of China (Results)

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

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.

Gridiron Australia Logo
Gridiron Australia Logo

Picture Credit: [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]

Gridiron Australia

Gridiron Australia; ACTGL: Gridiron NSW; Gridiron Queensland; Gridiron South Australia; Gridiron Tasmania; Gridiron Victoria; Gridiron West

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

Gridiron New Zealand Logo
Gridiron New Zealand Logo

[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; American Football Auckland; American Football Canterbury;

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

Latin American Gridiron Football

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.

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

AGFA Guatemala Logo
AGFA Guatemala Logo

Picture Credit: [7] Asociacion Guatemalteca de Football Americano | Facebook (2017) Profile Picture November 2, 2017 [Internet] Available from: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23130487_1726349000769231_6373331777654393312_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ohc=1st7Rs2hqecAQnQbCozPxwe12PwwAm3KeJeg1hz2T5pO0oGEGbp4FW0Zw&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=87fa4b28c9270704eba512d14541d09f&oe=5E6AE3A5 [Accessed 12 December 2019]

Central American Gridiron

Guatemala (LAGFA):

Guatemala

Liga Asociacion Guatemalteca de Football Americano (Overviews):

Asociacion Guatemalteca de Football Americano 2015-2017

Futebol Americano Brasil Logo

Picture Credit: [1] Futebol Americano Brasil (2017) FABR_newlogo-cabecalho [Internet] Available from: https://futebolamericanobrasil.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/FABR_newlogo-cabecalho.jpg [Accessed 10 July 2020]

Brazilian American Football

Campeonato Estadiaus (State Championships)

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

Football Americano Argentina Logo
Football Americano Argentina Logo

Picture Credit: [8] Football Americano Argentina (2019) faa [Internet] Available from: http://faarg.com.ar/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/faa.png [Accessed 12 March 2019]

South American Gridiron

Argentina

Argentina

Football Americano Argentina Liga Mayor (Overviews):

Football Americano Argentina Liga Mayor 2012-2019

African American Football

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, Algeria, Kenya, Nigeria and Ivory Coast. There was also a 9-man Football League in Morocco in 2019. There are Women’s Flag Leagues as well as Men’s.

Egyptian Federation of American Football
Egyptian Federation of American Football Logo [References: 6]

Picture Credit: [6] Egyptian Federation of American Football | LinkedIn(2017) EFAF Logo [Internet] Available from: https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D0BAQHhb8GPhZPm6A/company-logo_200_200/0?e=2159024400&v=beta&t=wvZqwzqs_OyJmTs3OcIDMbsDhW9i_3knkZcSo3gZP44 [Accessed 11 May 2020]

North African American Football

EFAF (Egypt); AMFA (Morocco)

Egypt

EFAF Egyptian Federation of American Football

EFAF Egyptian National Football League (Bowl Games – Contact Football):

Egyptian National Football League Egyptian Bowl 2015-Present

Morocco

AMFA Association Marocaine de Football Américain

AMFA Morrocan Football League (9-Man Contact Football)

World Flag Football

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:

NFL Flag Football Logo

NFL and World Flag Football

NFL Schools Flag Championships; Big Bowl (Germany)

NFL Schools Flag Football Championships

NFL European Schools Flag Football Championships (seasons):

2002

World Flag Football Tournaments

World Flag Football (Seasons):

Big Bowl (Europe / World): 2017

Picture Credit: [1] NFL Flag Football Wayback Machine (2002) flag [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20030726154329im_/https://www.play-football.net/images/logos/flag.gif [Accessed 2 March 2021]

Champions Bowl 2017 Logo

European International Flag Football

Add your job title

European International Flag Football Friendlies

European International Flag Football (Seasons):

Irish Flag Football Association | International Series 2016

Team Ireland Flag Football Friendly 2013

International Flag Football Team Ireland v Allstars 2013

Team Ireland Flag Football Friendlies 1997-2007

Team Canada Flag Football Tour of Ireland and Scotland 2009

International Flag Football Friendly Tournament 2007

Irish International Flag Football Series 2006

European Club Flag Football Tournaments

European Club Flag Football (Seasons):

IFAFE Flag Football Champions Bowl (Seasons): 2018 2017 2016

Flagging New Year (Scotland / NW Europe): 2018

PIcture Credit: Champions Bowl 2017 Facebook Page (2016) Facebook Profile Picture December 29 2016 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/ChampionsBowl17/photos/a.734909956608686.1073741825.734909276608754/974882652611414/?type=1&theater [Accessed 3 July 2017]

Gwent Gators Ireland Tour 2020 Logo

Irish International Club Flag Football

Irish International Club Flag Football

Irish International Club Flag Football (Overviews):

Irish-American Flag Football Classic 2010-2014

Anglo-Irish Flag Football Challenge 1997-2005

International Flag Football | Irish Teams v US Services 1993-1996

Goal Celebrity Flag American Football Match 1988-1989

International Flag American Football Charity Match 1985

Irish International Club Flag Football (Season Results):

Maynooth University Charity Flag Football Tournament 2020

Flag Football Ireland | Europa Cup Tournaments 2017-18

IT Tallaght International Flag Football Exhibitions 2016

Irish Flag Football Association | Celtic Bowl 2015

Irish International Club Flag Football (Box-Scores & Match Reports):

Anglo-Irish Flag Football Challenge (Game Summaries):2004 2003 2001 1999 1998 1997

Picture credit: [9] Gwent Gators Facebook Page (2020) Photo 24 February 2020: “This coming weekend, the Gwent Gators head over to the Emerald Isle as part of our Pre Season tour, to take part in the Maynooth Charity Blitz Tournament at Maynooth University.” [Internet] Available from:https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/87135154_1020381378361002_2983123746514010112_o.png?_nc_cat=106&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=C_MEaZuUnHwAX8wNudT&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=84eb43cc00abd261589b122e9ff3aedf&oe=5E97F437 [Accessed 3 March 2020]

LEXFA Gold Logo

Mexican Flag Football

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Liga Extrema de Futbol Arena Mexico (LEXFA)

LEXFA Zona Caribe: Summer 2011

Picture Credit:

Malaysia American Football Association Logo

Asian Flag Football

Sri Lanka; Malaysia; Philippines

Sri Lanka (EFLI SL)

Elite Football League of India Sri Lanka – University Flag Football League 2015

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

Picture Credit: [1] Malaysia American Football Association (2017) Profile Picture, July 3, 2017 [Internet] Available from: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/19620465_851535731662890_6802285027256195278_o.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_sid=09cbfe&_nc_ohc=oLcp_anpTrgAX8DMmSm&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=ca4a19f24aadb8952f9381f9d2e51f31&oe=5F2FBCFF [Accessed 12 July 2020][Adjusted]

World E-Football

NFL Fantasy Logo

World E-Football

Madden NFL; NFL Fantasy Football; MUTHEAD Madden Ultimate Team; Relocation Football League

Madden NFL Computer Console Games (Decade Overview):

Relocation Football League (Madden NFL) 2016-Present

MUTHEAD Madden Ultimate Team MHL Season 7 2019

Fantasy Football (Decade Overviews):

NFL Fantasy Football AFL Ireland (Seasons): 2020

NFL Fantasy Football | NFL-Ireland 2015-2018

First Down Ireland Fantasy Gridiron (Newspaper):

First Down Fantasy Gridiron Ireland 1994-1996

Picture Credit: [4] Google Play (2020) unnamed [Internet] Available from: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8173vG20JC8Z_YOdJx40j1_AxiswI4WN70nG-vvThxyXLK4jXxwkhli_VHehR5PQQXk [Accessed 21 September 2020]