World Pro American Football

The American Football League (AAA – Division 2 – League) began playing matches in Canada in 1926, and then played against the National Football League (1930s) and Canadian football League (1940s). These were the first Major American Football (Gridiron) Internationals.

The National Football League began promoting American Football around the World, starting in the 1950s with a series of Internationals versus Canadian Football League teams, and then playing preseason games in first Canada in the 1960s, then in the 1970s Europe, Japan and Mexico. In 2007 the National Football League began playing regular season games in London, Toronto and Mexico City.

Major American Football Leagues have been played outside of the USA since the World League of American Football in 1991. With 6 teams in USA, one in Canada, and three in Europe, it was the first Official National Football League Development League (Division 2), as well as the first league of its kind to be played on a weekly basis on two continents (technically the USSR Soccer League was the first). It became a Europe-only league in 1995 and renamed NFL Europe in 1998 and was scrapped by the NFL in 2007 in favour of promoting the NFL in Europe through regular season game.

The European Leagues were replaced by the United Football League (USA 2009-2011), Elite Football League of India (2012), Legends Football Leagues (Canada 2012-13 and Australia 2013-14), China Arena Football League (2016), Pretty Girls Footbal l League (Mexico 2017) and Alliance of American Football (2019).

Beginning in 1984 AAA (Division 2) American Football Leagues began playing matches in Europe (USFL 1984, Arena Football League 1990s) or against World American Football Teams (Legends Football League USA v Legends Football League Canada 2010s, The Spring League v Japan American Football Association 2020).

Click on the links below (in Green-Blue) to be brought to a page with the standings and results of the specified leagues.

World League of American Football Logo [Reference: 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]

There were no Irish teams in these leagues unless you include the EuroSteelers of the European League (UK Conference) in 1993 (precursor to AFL Europe). the four teams of the UK Conference were intended to represent the four regions of the UK, with the EuroBears, EuroRaiders and EuroMonarchs the other three. The Pittsburgh Steelers were the designated home team for the NFL game in Dublin with the Chicago Bears.

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

World Football Leagues

World Pro American Football Leagues (Bowl Games):

World Pro American Football Leagues Bowl Games 1991-2019

Major Alternative Football Leagues Standings:

Major Alternative Football Leagues 2021

2020 2019

World Pro American Football Leagues (Overviews):

European Super League 2019

Amsterdam Crusaders Independent Schedule American Football Team 2018

Pretty Girls Football League (Mexico) 2014-2017

China Arena Football League 2016-2019

Legends Football League Global 2012-2014

Elite Football league of India 2012

United Football League 2009-2011

National Football League Europe 1998-2007

World League of American Football 1995-1997

American Football League of Europe 1993-1995

Hamburg Blue Devils Independent Schedule American Football Team 1993

World League of American Football 1991-1992

World Football Leagues (Seasons)

European League of Football 2021

China Arena Football League 2019

Amsterdam Crusaders Independent Schedule 2018

Legends Football League Australia 2013-14

Lingerie Football League Canada 2012-13

American Football League of Europe 1995

European League of American Football 1993

Hamburg Blue Devils Independent Schedule 1993

Leagues which failed to start

International League of American Football 1990

Proposed American Football League in USSR 1979

Intercontinental Football League 1974-1975

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

Irish-Born World Professional Players, Coaches & Personnel:

Tadhg Leader 2021

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))

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.