The AFLE Confirms Final Franchise Lineup for Inaugural Season
The American Football League Europe has officially confirmed the final lineup of franchises that will compete in the league’s inaugural season.
The eight founding franchises are:
- Rhein Fire
- Vienna Vikings
- Berlin Thunder
- Wroclaw Panthers
- Alpine Rams
- Paris Lights
- Firenze Red Lions
- London Football Team
With this announcement, the league completes its first competitive structure and takes another significant step toward kickoff.
A strong European foundation
The confirmed lineup represents a balanced mix of established football organizations and ambitious new projects across Europe. From proven and experienced franchises in Germany, Austria, and Poland to emerging projects in France, Italy, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, AFLE positions itself as a truly international competition from day one.
COO and Managing Director Moritz Heisler commented on the finalized lineup:
“We are proud of the strong and diverse group of franchises that will form our inaugural season. Each organization brings its own identity, ambition, and commitment to professional standards. Together, they create the foundation for a sustainable and competitive league across Europe.”
Heisler also emphasized the strategic approach behind the league’s development:
“Our objective was never rapid expansion at any cost. We focused on selecting ownership groups and markets that share our vision of transparency, stability, and long-term growth. This lineup represents exactly that.”
Monaco Football Team to join in 2027
Looking ahead, AFLE confirmed that the Monaco Football Team will join the league in the 2027 season, further strengthening the league’s presence in Southern Europe.
“Monaco is a very exciting and strategically important market for us,” Heisler said. “The project is developing in a very structured way, and we are confident it will be a valuable addition to the league in 2027. This step underlines our commitment to controlled and sustainable expansion.”
Next priorities: territories and schedule
With the franchise lineup now finalized, the league’s focus shifts to the next key milestones. Alongside the swift publication of the designated homegrown territories for the Firenze Red Lions and the London Football Team, the communication of the official game schedule remains an absolute priority.
Providing clarity to franchises, partners, and supporters is central to the league’s philosophy of transparency and structured growth. Further announcements regarding territories and the full schedule will follow shortly.
With the final lineup confirmed, AFLE continues to build the framework for a professional, team-owned league model designed for competitive balance, operational excellence, and long-term stability.
The inaugural season marks the beginning of a new chapter for American football in Europe.
