Borrowing a page from the National Football League’s playbook, the European League of Football has announced that it will be playing one of its games this year in a country not yet represented in the ELF.
The exact venue, date and the teams involved in the first ELF International Game will be announced at a later date but with the move it is clear that the ELF is testing the waters of football interest in Europe to determine the best markets for expansion.
The NFL will be playing five international games in 2024. Three will be played in London with one in Munich, Germany and another in São Paulo, Brazil.
Managing Director Zeljko Karajica:
“The enthusiasm outside our home market for the European League of Football and the sport is clearly noticeable. Our vision is to present a league with 24 teams throughout Europe. We are making great progress towards this goal.”
Seventeen teams from nine nations will compete in the 2024 ELF season: Berlin Thunder, Hamburg Sea Devils, Rhein Fire, Frankfurt Galaxy, Cologne Centurions, Stuttgart Surge and Munich Ravens (Germany), Paris Musketeers (France), Milano Seamen (Italy), Raiders Tirol and Vienna Vikings (Austria), Wroclaw Panthers (Poland), Madrid Bravos and Barcelona Dragons (Spain), Prague Lions (Czech Republic), Helvetic Guards (Switzerland) and Fehérvár Enthroners (Hungary).
The Championship Game will take place on September 22 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.