2023 European League of Football season

The 2023 ELF season is the third season of the European League of Football, a professional American football league based in Europe. Seventeen teams from nine different countries will participate[1][2] and will compete for the title at the Championship Game in the Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena Duisburg, Germany on September 24, 2023.[3]

2023 ELF season
DurationJune 3, 2023 – September 24, 2023
2023 Championship Game
DateSeptember 24, 2023
VenueSchauinsland-Reisen-Arena, Duisburg

Format

The teams are divided into three conferences of 5 or 6 teams. Each team plays 12 games during the regular season. The winner of each conference, as well as the next best 3 teams, regardless of conference, qualify for the playoffs.[4]

Teams
Location of ELF teams
  • Western Conference
  • Central Conference
  • Eastern Conference

11 of the 12 teams from the 2022 season are competing in 2023, and are joined by 6 new expansion teams: Fehérvár Enthroners, Helvetic Guards, Milano Seamen, Munich Ravens, Paris Musketeers and Prague Lions. The only team not returning for the new season is the Istanbul Rams.[2]

Team City Conference Stadium Capacity Head coach
Barcelona Dragons Spain Barcelona/Terrassa Central Estadi Olímpic de Terrassa 11,500 Mexico Gabriel Sánchez
Berlin Thunder Germany Berlin Eastern Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark 19,708 Germany Johnny Schmuck
Cologne Centurions Germany Cologne Western Südstadion 11,748 Greece Christos Lambropoulos
Fehérvár Enthroners Hungary Székesfehérvár Eastern First Field 3,500 United States Jaime Hill
Frankfurt Galaxy Germany Frankfurt am Main Western PSD Bank Arena 12,542 Germany Thomas Kösling
Hamburg Sea Devils Germany Hamburg Western Stadion Hoheluft 11,000 United States Charles "Yogi" Jones
Helvetic Guards Switzerland Zürich/Wil Central Lidl Arena Wil 6,000 United States Norm Chow
Milano Seamen Italy Milano Central Velodromo Vigorelli 7,500 Austria Stefan Pokorny
Munich Ravens Germany Munich Central Sportpark Unterhaching 15,053 United States John Shoop
Leipzig Kings Germany Leipzig Eastern Bruno-Plache-Stadion 12,321 United States John Booker
Panthers Wrocław Poland Wrocław Eastern Stadion Olimpijski 11,000 United States Dave Christensen
Paris Musketeers France Paris Western Stade Jean-Bouin 20,000 United States Marc Mattioli
Prague Lions Czech Republic Prague Eastern eFotbal Arena 5,037 United States Zach Harrod
Raiders Tirol Austria Innsbruck Central Tivoli Stadion Tirol 16,008 United States Kevin Herron
Rhein Fire Germany Düsseldorf/Duisburg Western Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena 31,514 United States Jim Tomsula
Stuttgart Surge Germany Stuttgart Central Gazi-Stadion auf der Waldau 11,408 United States Jordan Neuman
Vienna Vikings Austria Vienna Eastern Generali Arena[upper-alpha 1]
Hohe Warte Stadium		 17,500
5,500		 United States Chris Calaycay
  1. First home game of the season

Rosters

Like last season, there is a limit of 4 non-European foreign players per roster, and two on the field at the same time. Players who are dual citizens of the U.S. and a EU-member country are not counted towards that limit in keeping with the Bosman ruling. There is also a limit of 6 European foreigners per roster, down from 8 the previous season.[5] Brazilian players do not count towards the import quota.[6] For the 2023 season, the active rosters consist of 53 players, the gameday rosters of 46 players, while the practice squad was increased to 12 players.[7]

Coaching changes
TeamOutgoing coachManner of departureNotesDate of vacancyIncoming coachDate of appointmentSource
Cologne Centurions Germany Frank Roser Resigned September 7, 2022 United States Kahlil Carter October 11, 2022 [8][9]
Barcelona Dragons United States Andrew Weidinger Mutual agreement Signed with Rhein Fire as OC September 13, 2022 Mexico Gabriel Sánchez September 15, 2022 [10][11]
Panthers Wrocław Poland Jakub Samel Resigned Stayed with team as sports director September 20, 2022 United States Dave Christensen November 18, 2022 [12][13]
Leipzig Kings United States Fred Armstrong Fired September 21, 2022 United States John Booker September 28, 2022 [14][15]
Cologne Centurions United States Kahlil Carter Resigned March 17, 2023 Greece Christos Lambropoulos (interim) March 17, 2023 [16]

Regular season

Schedule

The schedule for the 2023 season was released on January 27, 2023 without any specific times and venues.[17] In Week 10, all teams are on bye due to the 2023 European Championship of American football.

Week 1
Date/Time (CEST)Conf.Away teamResultHome teamVenueAttendanceFree TVViewersRef
Sat, 3. June
EasternBerlin ThunderFéhervár Enthroners
CentralHelvetic GuardsBarcelona Dragons
WesternParis MusketeersCologne Centurions
ICHamburg Sea DevilsPanthers Wrocław
Sun, 4. June
WesternFrankfurt GalaxyRhein Fire
EasternLeipzig KingsPrague Lions
CentralRaiders TirolMunich Ravens
Bye Milano Seamen, Stuttgart Surge, Vienna Vikings
Week 2
Date/Time (CEST)Conf.Away teamResultHome teamVenueAttendanceFree TVViewersRef
Sat, 10. June
CentralBarcelona DragonsMilano Seamen
ICStuttgart SurgeParis Musketeers
Frankfurt GalaxyFéhervár Enthroners
Cologne CenturionsPrague Lions
Sun, 11. June
EasternPanthers WrocławLeipzig Kings
Vienna VikingsBerlin Thunder
CentralRaiders TirolHelvetic Guards
WesternRhein FireHamburg Sea DevilsVolksparkstadion
Bye Munich Ravens
Week 3
Date/Time (CEST)Conf.Away teamResultHome teamVenueAttendanceFree TVViewersRef
Sat, 17. June Western Hamburg Sea Devils Cologne Centurions
Central Barcelona Dragons Raiders Tirol
Eastern Fehérvár Enthroners Leipzig Kings
Prague Lions Vienna Vikings
Sun, 18. June Western Paris Musketeers Rhein Fire
Central Milano Seamen Stuttgart Surge
Munich Ravens Helvetic Guards
Eastern Panthers Wrocław Berlin Thunder
Bye Frankfurt Galaxy
Week 4
Date/Time (CEST)Conf.Away teamResultHome teamVenueAttendanceFree TVViewersRef
Sat, 24. June Western Paris Musketeers Frankfurt Galaxy
Central Munich Ravens Barcelona Dragons
Eastern Fehérvár Enthroners Panthers Wrocław
Leipzig Kings Vienna Vikings
Sun, 25. June Western Rhein Fire Cologne Centurions
Central Raiders Tirol Stuttgart Surge
Helvetic Guards Milano Seamen
IC Berlin Thunder Hamburg Sea Devils
Bye Prague Lions
Week 5
Date/Time (CEST)Conf.Away teamResultHome teamVenueAttendanceFree TVViewersRef
Sat, 1. July Western Hamburg Sea Devils Paris Musketeers
Cologne Centurions Frankfurt Galaxy
IC Helvetic Guards Rhein Fire
Sun, 2. July Central Stuttgart Surge Munich Ravens
Milano Seamen Raiders Tirol
Eastern Vienna Vikings Fehérvár Enthroners
Berlin Thunder Leipzig Kings
Prague Lions Panthers Wrocław
Bye Barcelona Dragons
Week 6
Date/Time (CEST)Conf.Away teamResultHome teamVenueAttendanceFree TVViewersRef
Sat, 8. July Eastern Prague Lions Leipzig Kings
IC Frankfurt Galaxy Milano Seamen
Sun, 9. July Central Barcelona Dragons Helvetic Guards
Eastern Fehérvár Enthroners Berlin Thunder
IC Panthers Wrocław Hamburg Sea Devils
Vienna Vikings Raiders Tirol
Paris Musketeers Stuttgart Surge
Munich Ravens Rhein Fire
Bye Cologne Centurions
Week 7
Date/Time (CEST)Conf.Away teamResultHome teamVenueAttendanceFree TVViewersRef
Sat, 15. July Central Raiders Tirol Barcelona Dragons
Eastern Panthers Wrocław Vienna Vikings
IC Leipzig Kings Cologne Centurions
Sun, 16. July Western Hamburg Sea Devils Frankfurt Galaxy
Rhein Fire Paris Musketeers
Central Stuttgart Surge Helvetic Guards
Milano Seamen Munich Ravens
Eastern Berlin Thunder Prague Lions
Bye Fehérvár Enthroners
Week 8
Date/Time (CEST)Conf.Away teamResultHome teamVenueAttendanceFree TVViewersRef
Sat, 22. July Central Munich Ravens Raiders Tirol
Eastern Berlin Thunder Vienna Vikings
Sun, 23. July Western Frankfurt Galaxy Paris Musketeers
Cologne Centurions Rhein Fire
Central Barcelona Dragons Stuttgart Surge
Milano Seamen Helvetic Guards
Eastern Leipzig Kings Panthers Wrocław
Prague Lions Fehérvár Enthroners
Bye Hamburg Sea Devils
Week 9
Date/Time (CEST)Conf.Away teamResultHome teamVenueAttendanceFree TVViewersRef
Sat, 29. July Central Stuttgart Surge Milano Seamen
Eastern Panthers Wrocław Prague Lions
IC Paris Musketeers Barcelona Dragons
Sun, 30. July Western Cologne Centurions Hamburg Sea Devils
Central Helvetic Guards Munich Ravens
Eastern Vienna Vikings Leipzig Kings
IC Fehérvár Enthroners Frankfurt Galaxy
Bye Rhein Fire, Raiders Tirol, Berlin Thunder
Week 10
Date/Time (CEST)Conf.Away teamResultHome teamVenueAttendanceFree TVViewersRef
5./6. August All teams on bye
Week 11
Date/Time (CEST)Conf.Away teamResultHome teamVenueAttendanceFree TVViewersRef
Sat, 12. August Western Frankfurt Galaxy Cologne Centurions
Central Helvetic Guards Raiders Tirol
Milano Seamen Barcelona Dragons
Eastern Leipzig Kings Fehérvár Enthroners
Sun, 13. August Western Hamburg Sea Devils Rhein Fire
Central Munich Ravens Stuttgart Surge
Eastern Prague Lions Berlin Thunder
Vienna Vikings Panthers Wrocław
Bye Paris Musketeers
Week 12
Date/Time (CEST)Conf.Away teamResultHome teamVenueAttendanceFree TVViewersRef
Sat, 19. August Central Stuttgart Surge Barcelona Dragons
Eastern Fehérvár Enthroners Prague Lions
IC Cologne Centurions Leipzig Kings
Raiders Tirol Vienna Vikings
Sun, 20. August Western Paris Musketeers Hamburg Sea Devils
Eastern Berlin Thunder Panthers Wrocław
IC Rhein Fire Munich Ravens
Milano Seamen Frankfurt Galaxy
Bye Helvetic Guards
Week 13
Date/Time (CEST)Conf.Away teamResultHome teamVenueAttendanceFree TVViewersRef
Sat, 26. August Central Stuttgart Surge Raiders Tirol
Munich Ravens Milano Seamen
Eastern Fehérvár Enthroners Vienna Vikings
IC Barcelona Dragons Paris Musketeers
Sun, 27. August Western Frankfurt Galaxy Hamburg Sea Devils
Eastern Leipzig Kings Berlin Thunder
IC Prague Lions Cologne Centurions
Rhein Fire Helvetic Guards
Bye Panthers Wrocław
Week 14
Date/Time (CEST)Conf.Away teamResultHome teamVenueAttendanceFree TVViewersRef
Sat, 2. September Western Cologne Centurions Paris Musketeers
Central Raiders Tirol Milano Seamen
Sun, 3. September Western Rhein Fire Frankfurt Galaxy
Central Helvetic Guards Stuttgart Surge
Barcelona Dragons Munich Ravens
Eastern Vienna Vikings Prague Lions
Panthers Wrocław Fehérvár Enthroners
IC Hamburg Sea Devils Berlin Thunder
Bye Leipzig Kings

Results
Home \ Away COL FRA HAM PAR RHE BAR HEL MIL MUN STU TIR BER FEH LEI PRA VIE WRO
Cologne Centurions Jul 1 Jul 30 Sep 2 Jul 23 Aug 19 Jun 10
Frankfurt Galaxy Aug 12 Aug 27 Jul 23 Jun 4 Jul 8 Jun 10
Hamburg Sea Devils Jun 17 Jul 16 Jul 1 Aug 13 Sep 3 Jun 3
Paris Musketeers Jun 3 Jun 24 Aug 20 Jun 18 Jul 29 Jul 9
Rhein Fire Jun 25 Sep 3 Jun 11 Jul 16 Aug 27 Aug 20
Barcelona Dragons Aug 26 Jul 9 Jun 10 Sep 3 Jul 23 Jun 17
Helvetic Guards Jul 1 Jun 3 Jun 25 Jul 30 Sep 3 Aug 12
Milano Seamen Aug 20 Aug 12 Jul 23 Jul 16 Jun 18 Jul 2
Munich Ravens Jul 9 Jun 24 Jun 18 Aug 26 Aug 13 Jul 22
Stuttgart Surge Jun 10 Aug 19 Jul 16 Jul 29 Jul 2 Aug 26
Raiders Tirol Jul 15 Jun 11 Sep 2 Jun 4 Jun 25 Aug 19
Berlin Thunder Jun 25 Jun 3 Jul 2 Jul 16 Jul 22 Aug 20
Fehérvár Enthroners Jul 30 Jul 9 Jun 17 Aug 19 Aug 26 Jun 24
Leipzig Kings Jul 15 Aug 27 Aug 12 Jun 4 Jun 24 Jul 23
Prague Lions Aug 27 Aug 13 Jul 23 Jul 8 Jun 17 Jul 2
Vienna Vikings Jul 9 Jun 11 Jul 2 Jul 30 Sep 3 Aug 13
Wrocław Panthers Jul 9 Jun 18 Sep 3 Jun 11 Jul 29 Jul 15
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: europeanleague.football
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Standings
Western Conference
Pos Team GP W L T CONF PF PA DIFF STK Qualification
1Germany Cologne CenturionsAdvance to playoffs
2Germany Frankfurt Galaxy
3Germany Hamburg Sea Devils
4France Paris Musketeers
5Germany Rhein Fire

Source: europeanleague.football

Central Conference
Pos Team GP W L T CONF PF PA DIFF STK Qualification
1Spain Barcelona DragonsAdvance to playoffs
2Switzerland Helvetic Guards
3Italy Milano Seamen
4Germany Munich Ravens
5Germany Stuttgart Surge
6Austria Raiders Tirol

Source: europeanleague.football

Eastern Conference
Pos Team GP W L T CONF PF PA DIFF STK Qualification
1Germany Berlin ThunderAdvance to playoffs
2Hungary Fehérvár Enthroners
3Germany Leipzig Kings
4Czech Republic Prague Lions
5Austria Vienna Vikings
6Poland Panthers Wrocław

Source: europeanleague.football

In case ties inside and between the conferences have to be broken, the rules are:[18]

  1. Number of wins
  2. Head-to-head matchup[upper-alpha 1]
  3. Points difference in head-to-head matchups[upper-alpha 1]
  4. Points scored at away games of head-to-head matchups[upper-alpha 1]
  5. Total points difference
  6. Total points scored
  7. Point scored at away games
  8. Coin toss performed by the Commissioner or a person (e.g., a prominent sportsmen) determined by the Commissioner

Notes
  1. Only applicable if matchups have taken place and with additional rules

References
  1. "European League of Football [Official Site] American Football PRO League in Europe". europeanleague.football. Retrieved 2022-09-27.
  2. "Istanbul Rams will not compete in the European League of Football in 2023". European League of Football. 2022-12-15.
  3. ""Sehnsuchtsort" gefunden: ELF-Finale 2023 steigt in Duisburg". Kicker (in German). Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  4. "Regular season, interconference games, playoffs: an explanation". europeanleague.football. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
  5. "Alex Ferrari is leaving us - unfortunately, as the European squad places have been reduced from 8 to 6". facebook.com. Raiders Tirol. January 9, 2023.
  6. "ELF announces partnership agreement with Brazilian American Football". American Football International. June 23, 2021.
  7. "European League of Football expands practice squad to 12 players". December 26, 2022.
  8. "Head coach Frank Roser leaves Cologne Centurions". European League of Football. September 7, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  9. "Cologne Centurions sign Kahlil Carter as head coach". European League of Football. October 11, 2022. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  10. "Head coach Andrew Weidinger and Barcelona Dragons part ways". European League of Football. September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  11. "Barcelona Dragons announce Gabriel Sánchez as head coach". European League of Football. September 15, 2022. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  12. "Jakub Samel becomes sports director for Wrocław Panthers and gives up head coach position". European League of Football. September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  13. "Wrocław Panthers introduce new head coach Dave Christensen". European League of Football. November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  14. "Leipzig Kings let go of Fred Armstrong ways". European League of Football. September 21, 2022. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  15. "Leipzig Kings introduce new head coach". European League of Football. September 28, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  16. "Kahlil Carter resigns as head coach of the Cologne Centurions". European League of Football. March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  17. "European League of Football announces game schedule for 2023". AmericanFootballInternational.com. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  18. ELF: Official Q&A, retrieved July 11, 2022
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