European League of Football: What is it? How many teams are there?

American football continues to grow worldwide as fans around the world embrace the sport.

While the game is known mostly for its leagues and teams that play out of the United States, the sport has migrated outside of North America. 

The European League of Football (ELF) is preparing for its 2025 season.

Here's what there is to know about the continental league.

What is the European League of Football?

The ELF is a professional American football league spanning nine countries in Europe.

It kicked off its first season in 2021 and entered into an agreement with the NFL to allow former NFL Europe teams to live on.

How many teams are there in the European League of Football?

Sixteen teams are set to compete in the 2025 ELF season.

Germany is home to seven teams, while Austria has two teams within its borders. There is one team each in Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Hungary, Poland, Spain and Switzerland.

The teams are: Defending champion Rhein Fire, Berlin Thunder, Hamburg Sea Devils, Munich Ravens, Stuttgart Surge, Frankfurt Galaxy, Cologne Centurions (all Germany), Vienna Vikings, Raiders Tirol (both Austria), Fehérvár Enthroners (Hungary), Panthers Wroclaw (Poland), Prague Lions (Czech Republic), Helvetic Mercenaries (Switzerland), Madrid Bravos (Spain), Paris Musketeers (France) and newcomer Nordic Storm (Denmark).

What is the format of the European League of Football? Are there play-offs?

The sixteen ELF teams compete in four divisions of four teams each.

The teams each play 12 regular season games — home and away against division rivals, plus home and away against one team from each of the other three divisions.

Each division winner advances to the playoffs, along with two wild card teams.

How to watch the European League of Football

ELF will be available in over 200 markets around the world on DAZN. 

DAZN will broadcast all 101 games of the 2025 season in a new ‘ELF Game Pass’ that will allow fans to watch every game.