Dive deep into the history of the GFL, exploring how the league began
and evolved over time, from its early days to its current status as a
premier football competition in Germany.
Founded in 1999, the German Football League (GFL) was established to
elevate American football in Germany and provide a structured
platform for the sport. It quickly gained traction as a leading
league in European football, attracting talent and attention across
the continent.
The GFL's prominence grew in the 2000s and 2010s, with teams like
the Braunschweig Lions and the Frankfurt Universe emerging as
dominant forces. The league became known for its competitive play
and the development of local talent, contributing to the growing
popularity of American football in Germany.
Today, the GFL stands as a key player in European football,
showcasing top teams and contributing significantly to the sport's
development in Germany. Its history is marked by exciting games,
notable achievements, and a strong commitment to advancing American
football in Europe.
2023 Champion
Potsdam Royals win GFL Bowl with dominant performance over Schwäbisch
Hall Unicorns
The Potsdam Royals captured their first ever German Football League
title Saturday at Stadion an der Hafenstraße in Essen after
defeating the defending GFL champions, the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns
34-7.
With the win, the Royals also atoned for the loss they suffered a
year ago to the Unicorns in the 2022 GFL Bowl.
Potsdam quarterback Jaylon Henderson was the key. Although he
completed only 10 of 14 passes for 102 yards, the elusive signal
caller rushed for 140 yards and three scores. Running back Heiko
Bals had three carries for 41 yards while Brandon Polk scored on a
12 yard carry. Wide receiver Thomas Jenkins had two catches for 39
yards and Simon Fons two for 35.
GFL Teams
Discover the elite teams competing in the GFL, showcasing the best of
German Football.
Allgäu Comets
The Allgäu Comets are an American football team from Kempten, Germany. The club is named after the Allgäu region of Bavaria, of which Kempten is the largest town.
The club was...
Founded: 1982
Stadium: Illerstadion
Berlin Adler
The Berlin Adler (English: Berlin Eagles) is an American football club based in Berlin, Germany. The club is one of the most successful clubs in the sport in Germany, having...
Founded: 1979
Stadium: Unknown
Berlin Rebels
The Berlin Rebels are an American football team from Berlin, Germany.
The team is playing in the German Football League, the highest level of American football in Germany. In the most...
Founded: 1987
Stadium: Mommsenstadion
Dresden Monarchs
The Dresden Monarchs are an American football team from Dresden, Germany. They have been a member of the first tier German Football League since 2002 and play in its Northern...
Founded: 1992
Stadium: Rudolf Harbig Stadion
Düsseldorf Panther
The Düsseldorf Panther are an American football team from Düsseldorf, Germany. The club is the oldest extant American football club in Europe, having been formed on 1 May 1978.
The Panthers...
Founded: 1978
Stadium: Unknown
Frankfurt Universe
The Frankfurt Universe are a German American football team from Frankfurt, Hesse.
The club, formed in 2007, won promotion to the German Football League 2, the second tier of league football...
Founded: 2007
Stadium: Frankfurter Volksbank Stadion
Kiel Baltic Hurricanes
The Kiel Baltic Hurricanes are an American football team based in Kiel, Germany.
The club has been, of recent, a strong force in the sport in Germany, playing in five consecutive...
Founded: 1988
Stadium: Kilia Platz
Marburg Mercenaries
The Marburg Mercenaries are an American football team from Marburg, Germany.
Internationally, the club's greatest success came in 2005, when it won the EFAF Cup, followed by a losing appearance in...
Founded: 1991
Stadium: Georg-Gaßmann-Stadion
Munich Cowboys
The Munich Cowboys are an American football team based in Munich, Germany. The club, together with the Düsseldorf Panther and the Ansbach Grizzlies, is one of the oldest in Germany....
Founded: 1979
Stadium: Dantestadion
New Yorker Lions
The New Yorker Lions are an American Football team from Braunschweig, Germany. Until late 2010, the team was known as the Braunschweig Lions.
Under this name, the Lions became the most...
Founded: 1987
Stadium: Eintracht-Stadion
Potsdam Royals
The Potsdam Royals are an American football team from Potsdam, Germany.
The club's greatest achievement is winning the championship in the last Eurobowl (2019) against the Amsterdam Crusaders just a year...
Founded: 2005
Stadium: Sportpark Luftschiffhafen
Ravensburg Razorbacks
The Ravensburg Razorbacks are an American football team in Ravensburg Germany. As its greatest success, the club reached the German Football League, the highest level in Germany, by having won...
Founded: 1987
Stadium: Lindenhofstadion
Saarland Hurricanes
The Saarland Hurricanes are an American football team from Saarbrücken, Germany. Saarbrücken is the capital of the federal German state of Saarland, which the club is named after. The club...
Founded: 1982
Stadium: Unknown
Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns
The Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns are an American football team from Schwäbisch Hall, Germany.
The club's greatest successes were winning the southern division title in the German Football League in 2009 and...
Founded: 1983
Stadium: Optima Sportpark
Straubing Spiders
The Straubing Spiders are an American football team from Straubing, Germany. The club's greatest success came in 2021 when it won the southern division of the German Football League 2...
