About AFLE
The AFLE - The League Europe, a team-governed league built for long-term stability.
The AFLE is a professional football league dedicated to building a sustainable, team-driven competition across Europe. Headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, the league operates as an association owned and governed by its participating teams.
Founded in 2025 on principles of transparency, collaboration and long-term development, the AFLE was created to provide stability and professional structures for European football.
The inaugural season is scheduled to launch in spring 2026, bringing together clubs from multiple countries and establishing an international competition platform for fans across borders.
At a Glance
- • Founded: 2025
- • Headquarters: Hamburg, Germany
- • Season Launch: Spring 2026
- • Teams: Alpine Rams, Berlin Thunder, Panthers Wroclaw, Paris Lights, Rhein Fire, Vienna Vikings
Mission
The AFLE’s mission is to create a trusted home for European football, built on stability, professionalism and community — with collaborative governance and responsible growth.
League Structure & Governance
A member-based association governed by the participating teams.
The league is organized as an association. The participating teams are the only members, and sporting, regulatory and structural decisions are made collectively by the franchises — ensuring the league remains controlled by the teams.
Governance Bodies
- • Board of Governors
- • Working Groups
- • Advisory Committee
Teams are granted inspection and control rights over league operations and may involve independent external advisors, with related costs covered by the league. Governance standards will continue to be developed and professionalized over time.
Financing & Sustainability
Sport and financing are intentionally separated to protect competitive integrity.
The sporting organization of the league is separated from its financing structure. A separate financial entity manages investments, while the league itself operates through the association. Participation in the financial entity is voluntary and not required to compete.
Key Financial Commitments
- • Guaranteed payments: €325,000 per team per year for the first two seasons
- • These payments are not loans and do not require repayment
- • Investor commitment: €12 million total, carrying the full entrepreneurial risk
- • Teams have no financial liabilities and are not required to provide securities
- • Long-term objective: ~75% of total revenues distributed to franchises
- • From season three onward: fixed guarantees no longer apply
The AFLE remains open to constructive dialogue and believes transparency is essential for sustainable professional football in Europe.
2026 Roster Rules
A structured framework to promote competitive balance, development and clarity.
The AFLE roster model establishes defined limits on team size while encouraging opportunities for domestic and international talent within a transparent and performance-driven system.
Roster Structure
- • Maximum roster size: 65 players
- • Active roster: 53 players
- • Gameday registration: 48 players + 2 Homegrown players under age 21
Player Categories
- Homegrown (HG): First organized tackle football experience within the team’s assigned Homegrown country/region and at least two seasons of organized tackle football within that territory.
- A-Player: First organized tackle football experience in the United States and at least two consecutive seasons in a recognized U.S. tackle football structure (e.g., high school, college, club, semi-pro or pro). Limit: up to 4 per team.
- I-Player: First organized tackle football experience in Canada, Mexico or Japan and at least two seasons within the respective national tackle football system. Limit: up to 1 per team.
- E-Player: First organized tackle football experience outside the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Japan and the team’s Homegrown region, with a minimum of two seasons in an organized tackle football structure. Limit: up to 9 per team.
Contact
Reach the right team directly — we route requests quickly and transparently.
General
Press & Media
Partnerships / Sales
Officiating Department
Stats & Data
Web Support
Careers
For job opportunities, please use jobs@aflepro.com or visit the Careers page.