CEFL: Central European Football League announces 2025 teams, schedule, & Championship Game
The Sportklub Central European Football League has announced the teams and schedule for the 2025 CEFL Championship tournament with a total of 12 teams from 10 countries vying for the title.
In this, the 19th season of the CEFL tournament, one of the finalists from the 2024 tournament returns, the Calanda Broncos from Switzerland, along with semifinalists, French champions, the Thonon Black Panthers. Newcomers to the tournament include the Eidsvoll 1814’s from Norway as well as British finalists, the Bristol Aztecs.
However, due to scheduling problems, only five teams from last season have returned. Five teams will participate for the first time. The Polish league is represented again after a long hiatus, while the teams from the Netherlands and Norway are making their debut in CEFL.
Calanda Broncos, Swiss champions
Thonon Black Panthers, French champions
Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns, German quarterfinalists
Carlstad Crusaders, Swedish champions
Stockholm Mean Machines, Swedish finalists
Beograd Vukovi, Serbian champions
Amsterdam Crusaders, Benelux champions
Badalona Dracs, Spanish semifinalists
Kragujevac Wild Boars, Serbian finalists
Bristol Aztecs, British finalists
Warsaw Eagles, Polish champions
Eidsvoll 1814’s, Norwegian champions
The CEFL Championship will again be played under a modified cup system, this time with three highest-ranked teams seeded, granting them a bye in the first round. The Badalona Dracs will also skip the opener due to the Spanish playoffs being held at the same time.
The first round will be played on April 26 to avoid the Easter weekend. That will leave only two weeks between the first two rounds, while the following gaps will be three weeks long, as has become the norm.
The opening round matchups on Aprils 26:
Carlstad Crusaders – Eidsvoll 1814’s
Stockholm Mean Machines – Warsaw Eagles
Belgrade Vukovi – Kragujevac Wild Boars
Amsterdam Crusaders – Bristol Aztecs (to be played in Bristol)
The second round is scheduled for May 10 and the seeded teams will host three games. One last game will be hosted by the highest-ranked team.
Calanda Broncos – Belgrade Vukovi / Kragujevac Wild Boars
Thonon Black Panthers – Badalona Dracs
Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns – Stockholm Mean Machines / Warsaw Eagles (played on Sunday, 11 May)
Carlstad Crusaders / Eidsvoll 1814’s – Amsterdam Crusaders / Bristol Aztecs
The semis will be hosted by the two highest-ranked semifinalist teams and the matchups will be decided after the second round. Both games will be played on May 31.
The championship final, CEFL Bowl XIX, is scheduled for June 21 and the hosting rights will be awarded following the semifinals.
