American football meets football celebrity: the Prague Lions welcome the Vienna Vikings for the season opener. On board with the Viennese side is former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Millwall striker Stefan Maierhofer.
The Prague Lions, the Czech Republic’s representative in the European League of Football (ELF), kick off the new season on Sunday with a home game against the Vienna Vikings. The Prague Lions recently announced their new home venue: The stadium of FK Viktoria Žižkov will be the host for six home games of the Lions from the Czech capital in the 2025 season.
The cooperation between the Prague Lions and FK Viktoria Žižkov, two Prague-based sports organisations, aims to enhance the fan experience for both teams.
The agreement ensures that the Prague Lions have a centrally located venue for their ELF home games, offering fans an easily accessible location to experience top-class American football. FK Viktoria Žižkov, a club with a rich footballing tradition, welcomes the partnership as part of its vision to diversify the use of the stadium and strengthen ties with the broader Prague sporting community. Viktorka Žižkov Stadium, located on Seifertova Street, is situated right next to Prague’s main railway station and accommodates around 2,500 spectators.
Season opener against a top team from Austria
The Vienna Vikings, a title contender, will arrive in the Czech capital at the very start of the season. Sports fans familiar with Austrian football may recognise one name in particular on the Vienna roster: Stefan Maierhofer. The former Austrian Bundesliga professional, who played for Rapid Vienna, Red Bull Salzburg and Wolverhampton Wanderers, is now the new kicker for the Viennese team.
At 42 years of age, the Lower Austrian is effectively retired from ball sports. However, the ex-professional footballer, who most recently played for Kremser SC, isn’t ready for what he calls “the final late autumn” of his athletic career – as he stated in an interview with Austrian sports magazine laola1.at.
Prague Lions back on track
In the past, the Prague Lions struggled financially, and it was uncertain if they would remain in the European League of Football. The takeover by Mason Parker, the current CEO and Chairman of the Prague Lions, along with other investors, not only secured financial stability but also developed a new vision for American football in the Czech Republic.
Since their arrival in 2023, the new owners have invested millions of dollars to modernise the team and establish a strong European base. They are convinced that American football has immense growth potential in Europe – and that the market is ready, thanks to rising interest in the sport and investment in quality players and infrastructure.
Prague Lions vs. Vienna Vikings
Sunday, 18 May 2025 | Stadion FK Viktoria Žižkov
Tickets: ticketmaster.cz
