The European Football Alliance (EFA) is an association of professional American-football teams in Europe. Several member clubs had competed in the European League of Football (ELF) through the 2025 season. On September 9, 2025, EFA members announced they would not participate in the ELF from 2026 and would instead compete in a new, team-led league. [1]
The European League of Football (ELF) was founded on November 4, 2020. [2] Its first season kicked off in June 2021 with eight teams and had expanded to 16 by 2025. The league is headed by CEO Željko Karajica; ownership is attributed to SEH Sports & Entertainment Holding and Patrick Esum, who also served as Commissioner. Individual teams are operated as franchises by independent companies.
In early 2024, several ELF clubs formed the ELF Franchise Association; after the 2024 season this group went public as the Football Franchise Association (FFA). In September 2025, EFA statements (evolving from that association) criticized the ELF's governance and transparency and said clubs would build a new league model for 2026. [3] Reports in 2025 also described failed talks about an Amsterdam franchise; some coverage linked the collapse to disagreements over terms and revenue issues. [4]
On October 6, 2025, multiple EFA clubs and outlets said at least 10 teams would compete under the EFA banner in 2026; coverage the same day noted Raiders Tirol were not among those confirmed competitors for 2026. [5] On November 7, 2025, the EFA added London and Milan as franchise markets; brand identities to be revealed later. [6]
The following teams are confirmed for the 2026 season:
| Franchise | City | ELF since | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frankfurt Galaxy |  Frankfurt | 2021 | PSD Bank Arena |
| London Guard [7] |  London | – | Brisbane Road |
| Madrid Bravos |  Madrid | 2024 | Estadio de Vallehermoso |
| Milano Giants [8] |  Milan | – | Velodromo Vigorelli |
| Nordic Storm |  Copenhagen | 2025 | Gladsaxe Stadium, Søborg |
| Panthers Wrocław |  Wrocław | 2021 | Olympic Stadium |
| Paris Musketeers |  Paris | 2023 | |
| Prague Lions |  Prague | 2023 | FK Viktoria Stadion |