How Has American Football Thrived In Europe

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American football is one of the most popular sports in the United States, but it’s also become quite popular in Europe.

While American football was initially developed by people who emigrated from Europe, its popularity there has grown exponentially over the past few decades, especially with the numbers recorded in college football betting alone. Here, we’ll explore how the sport has thrived in Europe and why Europeans are so interested in it now.

NFL International Series

The NFL International Series is an annual series of American football games that take place in London, England. It began in 2007 and has continued every year since then. The International Series is a joint effort between the NFL and its partners—the teams that participate in the regular season each year, along with other organizations such as ESPN and Visa—to expand the popularity of American football via television broadcasts outside North America. In addition to London, other cities have hosted games: Mexico City, Toronto, and Munich.

European League of Football

The European League of Football is quite different from the NFL in terms of rules and gameplay, but it’s also very similar. One major difference is that ELF players are allowed to use their hands while catching passes, which is not the case in the NFL. Another difference is that instead of having a coin toss before each half, teams receive possession based on which end zone they scored at during that half.

There are many similarities between EFL and American football leagues too:

  • Both consist of two halves separated by a halftime
  • Both feature an offensive team pitted against a defensive team

German Football League and other European leagues

The German Football League (GFL) was founded in 1979 to promote American football in Germany. The GFL offers a variety of leagues and tournaments for both men and women, as well as USA Football-affiliated flag football leagues for kids. The league has also started a national tackle competition called the Deutschland Liga, which is open to players from other European countries who wish to compete against their German counterparts at an elite level.

The GFL has helped develop American football in Europe by providing opportunities for players who never had a chance to play this sport professionally or competitively. Many European athletes have been able to develop their skills through these leagues before moving onto higher levels of competition, such as those offered by USA Football’s International Development Program (IDP).

The Superbowl Abroad

The Superbowl is the most watched sporting event in the United States. It’s one of the top five most betted-on sports tournaments in the world. While it may be a part of American culture, the rest of the world has taken it up and enjoys it as well. The Superbowl is also watched by people in Europe, Asia, and Australia, and even though they might not understand what all those weird symbols mean on a football field or why so many people care about whether or not a team wins (or loses), there are still plenty who love watching this five-hour long game!

American Football Today

American football has continued to develop in Europe despite not being a traditional sport there. Though it was first played in the United Kingdom during the late 19th century, it wasn’t until 1993 that American Football was introduced as an organized sport in France. After that point, its popularity increased dramatically, and today, there are multiple leagues around Europe with varying levels of competition.

American football’s most popular league is NFL Europa which features teams from Germany and Austria as well as those based out of Amsterdam (Netherlands), London (England), Barcelona (Spain), Düsseldorf (Germany), and Berlin (Germany).

Conclusion

American football is a popular sport in Europe, with fans from all over the continent watching games and attending events. The NFL has been able to capitalize on this by hosting regular competitions that showcase American football talent from around the world. Several European leagues have been created specifically for American football players who want to play professionally or just for fun without having to leave their home country behind.


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  1. Quick list of false statements from the article. You should really read through it at least once before you publish…

    “One major difference is that ELF players are allowed to use their hands while catching passes, which is not the case in the NFL”
    The glorious statement which began my deep dive. Do they catch passes with their feet??
     
    “While American football was initially developed by people who emigrated from Europe”
    That’s just not true

    “American football’s most popular league is NFL Europa”
    Hasn’t existed since 2007.

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