The European League of Football is in turmoil. Eleven teams, including almost all of the top clubs, have announced their departure from the league. Among them are the Prague Lions, who will now compete under the banner of the European Football Alliance.
After five seasons, the European League of Football is looking towards an uncertain future. Earlier this week, the European Football Alliance (EFA) announced that none of its member teams would take part in the upcoming ELF season.
The alliance includes nearly all of the top teams, with a total of eleven of the previous sixteen ELF clubs, incl. the Prague Lions, joining the new organisation. According to the EFA, the decision was made after “a thorough and comprehensive internal review.”
“The financial instability, lack of transparency and breaches of contract within the ELF are seen as incompatible with the EFA’s vision of creating a league where clubs are genuine partners, both in decision-making and in revenue sharing,” the statement read.
EFA aims to establish a modern league
The EFA has set out to build a modern league structure, modelled on the NFL, with an ownership and governance system to match. Further details are expected to be released later this year. The message to fans, sponsors and investors was clear: “Rest assured, professional football will be played in 2026.”
ELF insists it will continue
For their part, the European League of Football expressed confidence that it will return in 2026. According to its statement, eleven franchises are already under valid contracts for the upcoming season, and discussions with several potential newcomers are ongoing.
The Prague Lions can look back on a strong campaign, narrowly missing out on the play-offs. With away victories against Frankfurt Galaxy and the Hamburg Sea Devils, they showed the potential within their squad. So far, the Lions have only shared the official EFA statement on their social media channels regarding their withdrawal from the ELF.
The EFA, founded in July, brings together eleven of the sixteen former ELF members. Alongside the Prague Lions, the alliance includes German clubs Rhein Fire, Stuttgart Surge and Frankfurt Galaxy, as well as Austrian powerhouses Vienna Vikings and Raiders Tirol. They are joined by other sides such as the Paris Musketeers, Madrid Bravos and Wroclaw Panthers.
Just recently, Stuttgart Surge secured the 2025 ELF title with a 24–17 victory over the Vienna Vikings in the final.
