The AFLE Names Championship Game the AFLE Gold Bowl and Confirms Venue in Duisburg
The American Football League Europe (AFLE) is proud to announce that it‘s championship game will officially be known as the AFLE Gold Bowl. As the highlight of AFLE’s inaugural season, the final will take place at the Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena in Duisburg, Germany, on September 6, 2026, marking a major milestone for professional American football in Europe.
The AFLE knows that the last six months have brought significant change across European football. Building something new is never without it‘s challenges, and the league is grateful to every fan who has chosen to trust this project from the very beginning. For months, the entire organisation has been working hard to deliver a championship weekend worthy of that trust. The AFLE Gold Bowl is the result of that work, and above all it is a celebration the league wants to share with it‘s fans.
A name that stands for the highest achievement in European football
The AFLE Gold Bowl brand reflects the ambition and standard of AFLE. Gold stands for excellence, for the best, and for the ultimate goal every team is working towards from day one of the season.
With a clear identity for its championship game, AFLE takes another step in building a strong and recognizable league across the continent. The AFLE Gold Bowl is designed to become the most important game in European American football.
The AFLE Managing Director and COO Moritz Heisler is already looking forward to the biggest game of the season with great excitement:
“The AFLE Gold Bowl is more than just a name. It represents the moment every team, every player, and every fan is working towards. But above all, this game is about giving something back to the fans who make European football what it is. Their passion, loyalty, and energy deserve to be celebrated on the biggest stage.
Duisburg and the Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena provide the perfect setting to do exactly that. With outstanding infrastructure, we have the opportunity to create not just a game, but a full experience, bringing our Power Party to life and turning the event into a true football festival for everyone in attendance.
This is about more than competition. It’s about community, connection, and delivering unforgettable moments to the fans who drive the sport forward. Nothing will stand in the way of making this a celebration they truly deserve.“
Eight teams, one goal
The road to the AFLE Gold Bowl starts in May. Eight franchises from seven countries will compete throughout the 2026 season for the right to play in Duisburg on September 6. The founding teams of the AFLE are:
Rhein Fire and Berlin Thunder from Germany, the Vienna Vikings from Austria, the Wroclaw Panthers from Poland, the Alpine Rams from Switzerland, the Paris Lights from France, the Firenze Red Lions from Italy, and the London Football Team from the United Kingdom.
Every game throughout the regular season and the playoffs will shape the path to the AFLE Gold Bowl. Only the best two teams in Europe will earn the right to compete for the championship on September 6.
Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena: a world-class venue for a world-class game
The Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena in Duisburg will host the AFLE Gold Bowl and provide a spectacular setting for the biggest game of the season. With a capacity of over 31,000 spectators, the stadium offers everything needed to deliver a premium gameday experience.
Duisburg is located in the heart of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan area and is well connected by road, rail, and air. The venue is easy to reach for football fans from all across Europe, making the AFLE Gold Bowl a truly pan-European event.
The championship weekend begins on Saturday, 5 September, with events at the venue giving fans the chance to be part of the occasion from the very start. On Sunday, 6 September, the two best teams of the season meet for the Gold Bowl itself, with the AFLE Power Party turning gameday into a full football festival. More details about the Saturday programme will be announced in due course. The AFLE cannot wait to celebrate the full weekend together with it‘s fans.
The choice of venue reflects AFLE’s commitment to delivering a professional and memorable championship experience. The AFLE Gold Bowl will bring together the two best teams of the season and give fans from across Europe an event they will not forget.
Christopher Mainka, Managing Director of Duisburger Stadionmanagement GmbH, commented on the partnership:
“The schauinsland-reisen-arena provides the perfect setting for an international final of this scale. By hosting the Gold Bowl, we are sending a strong signal as a versatile and attractive sports and event venue. We are delighted to be part of this special event.”
Tickets coming soon via Eventim
Tickets for the AFLE Gold Bowl will be available from Tuesday, 28 April 2026 at 12:30 PM CET through AFLE’s official ticketing partner Eventim. Fans across Europe will be able to secure their seats through Eventim’s trusted and reliable platform.
