National Football League (NFL)
The National Football League (NFL) is the highest level of professional American football in the world. Founded in 1920, the league consists of 32 teams, divided into two conferences: the AFC (American Football Conference) and the NFC (National Football Conference). Each season, teams compete over 18 weeks, aiming to earn a spot in the NFL Playoffs, which lead up to the Super Bowl—the championship game and a major global sporting event.
The NFL stands out not only for its elite competition and entertainment value but also for its structured format, intense rivalries, and iconic traditions. It’s a billion-dollar league with a massive following, advanced broadcasting, and one of the most passionate fan bases in the sports world.
NFL outside of America
In recent years, the NFL has taken big steps toward becoming a global brand. With the NFL International Series, games have been held in London, Mexico City, and Germany, bringing live NFL action to international audiences. The NFL Germany Games, introduced in 2022, are a major part of this strategy, showcasing regular season matchups in cities like Munich and Frankfurt to packed stadiums of excited European fans.
Additionally, the NFL Africa initiative is focused on identifying and developing talent across the African continent. This project includes youth camps, training programs, and scouting events, helping athletes from Africa pursue careers in American football and increasing the sport’s visibility in new regions.
The NFL has also launched the so called IPP programme a few years ago. IPP stands for international pathway programme and is designed to get international prospects from all across the globe to the NFL. Players like Jakob Johnson and Jordan Mailata are some of the better known players that have managed to make it to the NFL through that programme.
Canadian Football League (CFL)
The Canadian Football League (CFL) is the top professional football league in Canada and has a rich history dating back to the 1950s. It features nine teams divided into two divisions: the East and the West. The CFL season runs from June to November, culminating in the Grey Cup, the league’s championship game and one of Canada’s most celebrated sporting events.
While the CFL shares similarities with American football, it also has several unique features. The field is larger, each team has 12 players on the field instead of 11, and there are only three downs to move the ball ten yards, making the game faster-paced and emphasizing big plays and strategy. The league has built a loyal fan base across Canada, with strong regional rivalries and a deep cultural connection, especially in cities like Winnipeg, Regina, and Hamilton.
Although smaller in scale compared to the NFL, the CFL offers exciting, high-level football with a unique twist and continues to play a key role in the growth of the sport both in Canada and abroad.
CFL outside of Canada
In recent years, the CFL has explored ways to expand its audience and grow internationally. The league launched the CFL 2.0 initiative, creating partnerships with football organizations in countries like Mexico, Germany, France, and Japan. These efforts aim to exchange talent, promote the game globally, and build new pathways for international players to compete in the CFL. In addition to that they also launched the CFL global combine where players from all across the globe have the chance of proving themselves in front of CFL scouts and teams.
European League of Football (ELF)
The European League of Football (ELF) is a rapidly growing professional American football league based in Europe. Launched in 2021, the ELF was created to bring high-level, structured football competition to the continent and to reignite the excitement around the sport that began during the NFL Europe era. The league currently features teams from multiple countries, including Germany, Austria, Spain, France, Italy, and more, with further expansion on the horizon.
The ELF follows rules closely aligned with American football, particularly NFL-style gameplay, making it accessible to both new fans and long-time football enthusiasts. The season typically runs from early summer through late September, ending with the ELF Championship Game, where the top teams compete for the league title.
What sets the ELF apart is its international structure and ambition. By bringing together players and coaches from across Europe—and even some from the United States—the league offers a mix of local talent and global experience. This combination has helped raise the level of play and create a unique, competitive environment on the European stage.
The ELF also focuses on growing the sport at the grassroots level and building strong local fanbases. With professionally run franchises, live broadcasts, and increasing media coverage, the league is playing a central role in making American football a mainstream sport across Europe.
Football and the olympics
Although American football is one of the most popular sports in the United States, it is not currently part of the Olympic Games. One of the main reasons has been the sport’s physical intensity, complex logistics, and limited international infrastructure compared to other global sports. Many also say that due to the amount of money involved in the NFL that a lot of NFL teams wouldn’t want their players to partake in the olympics due to the high risk of injury invovled with the sport.
Flag football as a gateway to the olympics
Flag football is emerging as the ideal version of American football for the global stage—and now, it’s paving the way for the sport’s inclusion in the Olympic Games. Unlike traditional tackle football, flag football is a non-contact variation that focuses on speed, strategy, and skill, without the need for heavy equipment or physical collisions. This makes it more accessible, safer, and easier to adopt worldwide.
As interest in the sport continues to grow across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, flag football has become a key tool for introducing American football to new audiences. It’s already played at the grassroots, school, and international levels, with increasing support from national federations and the NFL.
In a major milestone, flag football is set to debut as an official sport at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. This marks the first time a version of American football will be part of the Olympic program and could signal a new era for the sport on the global stage.
By lowering the barriers to entry and emphasizing teamwork and athleticism, flag football is proving to be the perfect gateway for American football’s Olympic future.
