Gridiron Nations Championship

Last updated
Gridiron Nations Championship
Gridiron-Nationenmeisterschaft (German), Campionato Internazionale di Football Americano (Italian)
Tournament details
Dates25 Octber 2025 – 16 November 2025
No. of nationsThree
Final positions
Champions  Gold medal blank.svg Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Runner-up  Silver medal blank.svg Flag of Italy.svg  Italy
Third-place  Bronze medal blank.svg Flag of Germany.svg  Germany
MVP of the tournamentJamel Lyles, RB Canada
2026 →

The Gridiron Nations Championship (GNC) is an annual elite international men's American football competition organised independently by participating national federations in alignment with policy frameworks from the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). Modelled on the Six Nations Championship in rugby union, the GNC brings together foundational national teams to compete in a series of matches involving intercontinental play determining a global result.

Contents

History

The Gridiron Nations Championship was conceived in early 2025. The initiative was developed to revive and elevate competitive opportunities for senior men's national teams beyond the traditional IFAF World Championship cycle, which had last been held in 2015.

The first edition debuted in April 2025, featuring Canada, Italy, and Germany. On 19 April, Canada travelled to Sardinia, defeating Italy 56-0 in what was later classified as an IFAF Friendly game. [1]

The first result in the championship was generated at the IFAF European Final Four on 28 October in Krefeld, Germany, where Italy defeated Germany 17-14 to secure the bronze medal in the IFAF Euros. On 9 November, Canada defeated Italy 20-17 at Velodromo Vigorelli in Milan. [2] [3] [4] On 16 November Canada defeated Germany 25-10 in Bochum. [5]

Ultimately, the GNC is positioned for world or hemispheric invitational championship play, raising the profile of tackle football globally and fostering collaboration among national federations.

Format

The competition format combines regional play and cross-continental showcase games. Inaugural scheduling includes:

Purpose and objectives

The GNC was designed to:

Media and promotion

The GNC is supported by international broadcast agreements and promotional partnerships developed by the participating federations. Each federation is responsible for marketing home fixtures, while collective content is distributed globally through social and digital media platforms.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Canada Dominates in Lopsided International in Italy - 3DownNation, 19 April 2025: https://3downnation.com/2025/04/19/team-canada-demolishes-italy-in-lopsided-international-football-friendly/
  2. ↑ Italia e Canada Aprono la Stagione del Gridiron Nations Championships - fidaf.org, 5 August 2025 (Italian): https://www.fidaf.org/notizie/read-art.asp?id=3106
  3. ↑ Canada and Italy set for Historic GNC Rematch in Milan - American Football International, 5 August 2025: https://www.americanfootballinternational.com/canada-and-italy-set-for-historic-rematch-in-milan/
  4. ↑ First GNC Schedule Set - nationschampionship.com, 5 August, 2025: https://www.nationschampionship.com/post/first-gnc-schedule-set-canada-to-visit-italy-germany
  5. ↑ Canada Senior Men's Team Set to Take on Germany - footballcanada.com, 4 July 2025 https://footballcanada.com/news/canadas-senior-mens-tackle-team-set-to-take-on-germany-on-november-16-2025/
  6. ↑ Canada Dominant in 56-0 Win Over Italy - IFAF 20 April 2025 - https://www.americanfootball.sport/2025/04/19/canada-wins/
  7. ↑ Canada to visit Germany to Conclude First GNC - Dan Ralph, Canadian Press via TSN, 4 July 2025 - https://www.tsn.ca/canada-to-visit-germany-to-conclude-gridiron-nations-championship-1.2331637
  8. ↑ Canada to Face Germany in GNC - Roger Kelly, American Football International, July 5, 2025 - https://www.americanfootballinternational.com/canada-set-to-face-germany-in-the-gridiron-nations-championship/
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