Category: World League of American Football (1991-1997)

Bengals Stadium by Kelly

1991 Major Football Leagues Standings and Playoffs

National Football League (NFL) 1991

AFC Eastern Division 1991

PosTeamWLTPctPFPA
1*Buffalo Bills1330.813458318
2+New York Jets880.500314293
3Miami Dolphins880.500343349
4New England Patriots6100.375211305
5Indianapolis Colts1150.063143389

AFC Central Division 1991

PosTeamWLTPctPFPA
1*Houston Oilers1150.688386251
2Pittsburgh Steelers790.438292344
3Cleveland Browns6100.375293298
4Cincinnati Bengals3130.188263435

AFC Western Division 1991

PosTeamWLTPctPFPA
1*Denver Broncos1240.750304235
2+Kansas City Chiefs1060.625322255
3+Los Angeles Raiders970.563298297
4Seattle Seahawks790.438276261
5San Diego Chargers4120.333274342

NFC Eastern Division 1991

PosTeamWLTPctPFPA
1*Washington Redskins1420.875485244
2+Dallas Cowboys1150.688342310
3Philadelphia Eagles1060.625285244
4New York Giants880.500281297
5Phoenix Cardinals4120.250196344

NFC Central Division 1991

PosTeamWLTPctPFPA
1*Detroit Lions1240.750339295
2+Chicago Bears1150.688299269
3Minnesota Vikings880.500301306
4Green Bay Packers4120.250273313
5Tampa Bay Buccaneers3130.188199365

NFC Western Division 1991

PosTeamWLTPctPFPA
1*New Orleans Saints1150.688341211
2+Atlanta Falcons1060.625361338
3San Francisco 49ers1060.625393239
4Los Angeles Rams3130.188234390

NFL Super Bowl (AFC Champions v NFC Champions) 1991

NFL Report

Buffalo Bills, holding the best record in the AFC (13-3) lost their second Super Bowl in succession, defeated 37-24 by Washington Redskins, holders of the best record in the NFC and entire NFL (14-2). For the AFC it was an eighth successive loss in the biggest event in USA sports. The last time an AFC team won the Super Bowl was Los Angeles Raiders’ 38-9 victory over Washington Redskins on 22 January 1984 at Tampa, Florida in Super Bowl XVIII. Following a scoreless first quarter the Redskins scored 17 points in the second quarter and added a second John Riggs run touchdown 16 seconds into the third quarter to take a commanding 24-0 lead. Buffalo hit back later in the third quarter with a field goal and touchdown to reduce the deficit to 14 points, but another Redskins touchdown before the end of the quarter made the score 31-10. Two more field goals by Lohmiller made the score 37-10 in the fourth quarter. The Bills scored two passing touchdowns late in the game to make the score 37-24 at the final whistle. [NFL References: 1-2]

Canadian Football League (CFL) 1991

CFL Eastern Division 1991

PosTeamWLTPFPAPts
1135064752626
299051649918
3711052257714
431504005996

CFL Western Division 1991

PosTeamWLTPFPAPts
1126067156924
2117059655222
3117066158722
4612060671012

CFL Report

In the Canadian Football League, the Eastern Division’s Toronto Argonauts emerged victorious with a 36-21 victory over Calgary Stampeders. Calgary had the second-best record in the Western Division (11-7) after Edmonton Eskimoes, with Toronto putting up a 13-5 record to take first in the Eastern Division. Calgary eliminated Edmonton 38-36 in the Western Final and Toronto won 42-3 versus Winnipeg in the Eastern Final. [CFL References: 1]

Major Alternative and World Football Leagues 1991

Mid-Continental Football League (MCFL) 1991

MCFL Mid-Continental Football League 1991

PosTeamWLTPctPFPA
1*Dayton Steelers830.72710262
2*Cleveland Falcons940.69210792
3Wyandot Chiefs530.6259991
4Shenango Valley Blasters370.30089130

MCFL Mid-Continental Football League Playoffs 1991

DateEventResultsMatch Day
Cleveland Falcons vs Dayton SteelersMCFL Championship Game 1991

MCFL Report

In other leagues, Cleveland Falcons triumphed 7-0 versus Dayton Steelers in the Mid-Continental Football League (MCFL) Championship Game. The MCFL was a new start-up league based in Ohio and Pennsylvania that took the place of any major 11v11 rival outdoor league to the NFL since the demise of the United States Football League following the 1985 season. Following the season Louisville Bulls of Kentucky replaced Wyandot Chiefs in the four-team league. [MCFL References: 1-2]

Arena Football League (AFL) 1991

AFL Arena Football League 1991

PosTeamWLTPctPFPA
1*Detroit Drive910.900437262
2*Tampa Bay Storm820.800421309
3*Denver Dynamite640.600389365
4*Albany Firebirds640.600427342
5Dallas Texans460.400286334
6New Orleans Night460.400314401
7370.300321363
8Columbus Thunderbolts0100.000241460

AFL Report

The Arena Football League in 1991 expanded by two teams to eight, with Washington Commandos and Pittsburgh Gladiators leaving the league and replaced by four new teams in Tampa Bay Storm (FL), Orlando Predators (FL), New Orleans Night (LA) and Columbus Thunderbolts (OH). Tampa Bay Storm were immediately successful, winning Arena Bowl V 48-42 versus Detroit Drive. As in all other Major Football Leagues in 1991 the two teams with best records reached the Championship Game. Following the season Thunderbolts relocated to Cleveland (OH) and Cincinnati Rockers (OH), Charlotte Rage (NC), Sacramento Attack (CA) and San Antonio Force (TX) were added for 1992. [AFL References: 1]

World League of American Football (WLAF) 1991

WLAF North American East Division 1991

PosTeamWLTPctPFPA
1550.500257155
2550.500242286
3460.400145144
4Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks0100.000123300

WLAF North American West Division 1991

PosTeamWLTPctPFPA
1550.500140140
2460.400176196
3370.300179254

WLAF European Division 1991

PosTeamWLTPctPFPA
1910.900310121
2820.800206126
3730.700155139

WLAF Report

The National Football League established the World League of American Football (WLAF) to further promote the sport around the World. Beginning in 1991 with ten teams the WLAF was divided into three divisions: European (with teams in London, England, UK; Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; and Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany); North American East Division (three teams in USA: New York/New Jersey Knights, NJ; Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks, NC; and Orlando Thunder, FL; plus one team in Quebec, Canada: Montreal Machine) and North American West Division (Three teams in USA: Birmingham Fire, AL; San Antonio Riders, TX; and Sacramento Surge, CA). An imbalance in players allocated by the NFL for development in the WLAF meant no team in the European Division finished with a losing record, and no team in either North American Division finished with a winning record. World Bowl ’91 was won by London Monarchs by 21-0 versus Barcelona Dragons at the hallowed grounds of Wembley Stadium, the home of England’s National Soccer Team. Following the 1991 season the winless Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks were replaced by Ohio Glory in Columbus for 1992. [WLAF References: 1-4]

Association of American Football of USSR (AAF) 1991

AAF Association of American Football of USSR 1991

PosTeamWLTPFPA
1*Moscow Bruins00000
2*Moscow Swans00000
3Caspian Sphinxes00000
4Kharkov Atlantis00000
5Donetsk Scythians (Ukr)00000
6Minsk Zubrs (Bison)00000

Association of American Football USSR Playoffs 1991

DateEventResultsMatch Day
Moscow Bruins (Bears) vs Moscow SwansAssociation of American Football USSR Championship 1991

AAF Report

A new Football power emerged on the scene in 1991: The USSR. Following glasnost the USSR opened up to American Football and a six-team league was established with teams in Moscow (Bruins and Swans), Caspian Sea Region (Sphinxes), Ukraine (Donetsk Scythians and Kharkov Atlantis) and Belarus (Minsk Zubrs – ‘Bison’). The first and only official Championship of USSR ended with a Moscow Bruins victory over Moscow Swans. After the season the USSR broke up, with Moscow Bears (Bruins) and Krasnoyarsk Siberian Devils competing for Championship of Russia. Kharkov Atlantis and Donetsk Scythians joined newly independent Ukraine’s Football Association and Minsk Zubrs joined Belarus’ Football Association. [AAF USSR References 1-2]

Stock Image

Bengals Stadium by Kelly
Bengals Stadium by Kelly

1991 Major Football League References

NFL References [1]
National Football League – 1996 Record and Factbook “Past Standings: 1996” p. 278.
Published by National Football League, Workman Publishing Co., New York

NFL References [2]
National Football League – 1996 Record and Factbook “Super Bowl Summaries” p. 327-329.
Published by National Football League, Workman Publishing Co., New York
MCFL References (1)
Semi-Pro Football -Defunct Leagues: EMCFL (Champs)
https://www.semiprofootball.org/minor/champs/mcfl.htm
[Accessed 1 January 2024]

MCFL References (2)
Semi-Pro Football – Defunct Leagues: EMCFL (1991)
https://www.semiprofootball.org/index.htm
[Accessed 1 January 2024]
CFL References (1)
Canadian Football League – CFL Standings: The 1990s
http://web.archive.org/web/19991108193646/http://www.cfl.ca/CFLArchives/1990s.html
[Accessed 20 January 2023][Archived at the Wayback Machine]
WLAF References (1-3)
Anon. (1991) “Standings” First Down, June 1, 1991, pg. 5
Anon. (1991) “Jon’s too Hort to handle” First Down, June 8, 1991, pg. 4-5
Anglesey, Steve (1991) “Enter the Dragons!” First Down, June 15, 1992, pg. 6-7
WLAF References (4)
World League of American Football (2018) WLAF History: 1991
http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/id165.html
[Accessed 23 April 2018]
Arena Football League References (1)
Arena Football League (2016) 2016 Record and Factbook pp. 67-83 / 52.
AAF USSR References (1)
American Football in Russia (2017) History of American Football in USSR and Russia
http://www.americanfootball.ru/Hist_RUS.php
Accessed 24 December 2017
AAF USSR References (2)
Anon. (1991) “Curtain Call” First Down. September 29, 1991. pg. 10.
Published by Mediawatch, Charlbury, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom.

About this Document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 14 March 2025. First Published: 1 January 2024

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2024

You may quote this document in whole or part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. The Logos and Photos used in this article remain the property of the organisations and individuals which own the copyright and are used here for educational and information purposes only. All Rights Reserved.

World League of American Football Schedule 1992

World League Logo 1991-1992 [References: 1]

Final Standings

WLAF World League of American Football European Division 1992

PosTeamWLTPctPFPANet PtsStreak
15500.500104161-57L4
23700.300150257-107W1
32710.200178203-25L1

WLAF World League of American Football North American East Division 1992

PosTeamWLTPctPFPANet PtsStreak
18200.800247127120W1
26400.60028418896W6
32800.200175274-99L6
41900.100132230-98L3

WLAF World League of American Football North American West Division 1992

PosTeamWLTPctPFPANet PtsStreak
18200.80025015298W5
27210.70019216527W4
37300.70019515045L1

Playoff Schedule

WLAF World League of American Football Playoffs 1992

Regular Season Schedule

WLAF World League of American Football 1992

Match Day Week 1
(Week 1)
0 - 17

Barcelona Dragons vs Frankfurt Galaxy

(Week 1)
20 - 6

Sacramento Surge vs Birmingham Fire

(Week 1)
26 - 20

London Monarchs vs New York Knights

(Week 1)
13 - 9

Orlando Thunder vs Ohio Glory

(Week 1)
17 - 16

San Antonio Riders vs Montreal Machine

Match Day Week 2
(Week 2)
15 - 14

Barcelona Dragons vs New York Knights

(Week 2)
28 - 31

London Monarchs vs Frankfurt Galaxy

(Week 2)
31 - 29

Montreal Machine vs Orlando Thunder

(Week 2)
17 - 10

Birmingham Fire vs San Antonio Riders

(Week 2)
6 - 17

Ohio Glory vs Sacramento Surge

Match Day Week 3
(Week 3)
13 - 7

Barcelona Dragons vs London Monarchs

(Week 3)
14 - 7

Sacramento Surge vs Montreal Machine

(Week 3)
3 - 9

New York Knights vs San Antonio Riders

(Week 3)
7 - 17

Frankfurt Galaxy vs Birmingham Fire

(Week 3)
3 - 28

Ohio Glory vs Orlando Thunder

Match Day Week 4
(Week 4)
17 - 17

London Monarchs vs Birmingham Fire

(Week 4)
17 - 20

Frankfurt Galaxy vs Barcelona Dragons

(Week 4)
20 - 23

Sacramento Surge vs San Antonio Riders

(Week 4)
39 - 21

Orlando Thunder vs New York Knights

(Week 4)
31 - 20

Montreal Machine vs Ohio Glory

Match Day Week 5
(Week 5)
0 - 9

London Monarchs vs Barcelona Dragons

(Week 5)
28 - 14

Birmingham Fire vs Sacramento Surge

(Week 5)
24 - 21

New York Knights vs Frankfurt Galaxy

(Week 5)
17 - 0

San Antonio Riders vs Ohio Glory

(Week 5)
16 - 8

Orlando Thunder vs Montreal Machine

Match Day Week 6
(Week 6)
0 - 38

Frankfurt Galaxy vs Orlando Thunder

(Week 6)
17 - 14

San Antonio Riders vs Birmingham Fire

(Week 6)
20 - 10

Barcelona Dragons vs Ohio Glory

(Week 6)
26 - 31

London Monarchs vs Sacramento Surge

(Week 6)
11 - 34

Montreal Machine vs New York Knights

Match Day Week 7
(Week 7)
19 - 17

Birmingham Fire vs Barcelona Dragons

(Week 7)
20 - 17

Ohio Glory vs Frankfurt Galaxy

(Week 7)
21 - 39

San Antonio Riders vs Orlando Thunder

(Week 7)
41 - 13

New York Knights vs London Monarchs

(Week 7)
21 - 35

Montreal Machine vs Sacramento Surge

Match Day Week 8
(Week 8)
51 - 7

Sacramento Surge vs Frankfurt Galaxy

(Week 8)
9 - 0

Orlando Thunder vs London Monarchs

(Week 8)
33 - 39

Ohio Glory vs New York Knights

(Week 8)
0 - 17

Barcelona Dragons vs San Antonio Riders

(Week 8)
23 - 16

Birmingham Fire vs Montreal Machine

Match Day Week 9
(Week 9)
21 - 7

Sacramento Surge vs Ohio Glory

(Week 9)
47 - 0

New York Knights vs Barcelona Dragons

(Week 9)
24 - 23

Birmingham Fire vs Orlando Thunder

(Week 9)
13 - 45

Montreal Machine vs London Monarchs

(Week 9)
14 - 43

Frankfurt Galaxy vs San Antonio Riders

Match Day Week 10
(Week 10)
19 - 16

Frankfurt Galaxy vs London Monarchs

(Week 10)
41 - 21

New York Knights vs Montreal Machine

(Week 10)
13 - 10

Orlando Thunder vs Barcelona Dragons

(Week 10)
21 - 27

San Antonio Riders vs Sacramento Surge

(Week 10)
24 - 27

Ohio Glory vs Birmingham Fire

1992 WLAF Season Recap

With the Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks having moved to Columbus, Ohio and renamed the Ohio Glory, and the New York / New Jersey Knights becoming simply the New York Knights, there was little change in franchises for the second season of the WLAF. The big surprise in 1992 was the struggling fortunes of the three European teams, so dominant in 1991.

Barcelona Dragons, despite starting strong with a 5-1 record after six weeks, then lost four in a row to finish off the season 5-5, but still European Champions after the London Monarchs and Frankfurt Galaxy posted dismal 2-7-1 and 3-7 records respectively. Defending Champions London in particular were a disappointment to their fans.

The WLAF North American East Division was won comfortably by Orlando Thunder on an 8-2 record despite a strong finish by the New York Knights who won their last six games after starting 0-4. Montreal Machine (2-8) disappointed their fans who had hoped to see the team at the World Bowl which was to be held at the Olympic Stadium in the Quebec city. Ohio Glory managed one win, which was one more than the team they replaced, the Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks.

The North American West Division, however, took over from the European Division as the dominant division, with all three teams posting a winning record: Sacramento Surge (8-2), Birmingham Fire (7-2-1) and San Antonio Riders (7-3).

Only the top two could make the playoffs however, and Sacramento took a five-game winning streak into the playoffs where they met the Dragons who were on a four-game losing streak. In the Playoffs Barcelona Dragons almost pulled off a shock, going down 15-17 to Sacramento Surge, while Orlando Thunder went into the World Bowl as favourites after a 45-7 demolition of Birmingham Fire in the other Playoff game.

The World Bowl itself provided an exciting end to the first era of the WLAF, as Sacramento Surge came from 17-6 down at halftime to score two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to stun Orlando Thunder 21-17. Orlando Thunder’s Quarterback, the Irish-named Mitchell, himself threw two touchdowns in the game.(For a Scoring Summary and Match report of the World Bowl ’92 please click on the game itself in the Playoff Schedule to be brought to the game recap).

About the World League of American Football

The World League of American Football was started by the National Football League in 1991 as a Development League, one level below the NFL itself. The WLAF’s first two seasons (1991 and 1992) featured 10 teams – Six in the United States of America, one in Canada (Montreal Machine) and three in Europe (Spain’s Barcelona Dragons, Germany’s Frankfurt Galaxy) and England’s London Monarchs). The League was divided into three Divisions: European, North American East and North American West, with the three division winners and one Wild-Card team (the runner-up with the next best record) qualifying for the playoffs which culminated in the World Bowl. After two seasons the NFL shelved the League and brought it back in 1995 as a six team Europe-only League.

REFERENCES

Logos

[1] World League of American Football Wayback Machine (20) WLAFlogo [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20210521072425im_/http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/WLAFlogo.gif Accessed 23 April 2018]

[LNFLE-2] World League Wayback Machine (2000) crest1 [Internet] Available from: https://web.archive.org/web/20000917192327im_/http://www.worldleague.com/images/dragons/crest1.gif [Accessed 6 October 2021]

[LNFLE-3] World League of American Football Wayback Machine (2011)  BiringhamFire [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20111023235135im_/http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/BiringhamFire.gif [Accessed 6 October 2021]

[LNFLE-4] World League Wayback Machine (1997) crest1 [Internet] Available from: https://web.archive.org/web/20000917192344im_/http://www.worldleague.com/images/galaxy/crest1.gif [Accessed 9 April 2023]

[LNFLE-5] World League of American Football Wayback Machine (2011) LondonMonarchs [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20111023235135im_/http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/LondonMonarchs.gif [Accessed 6 October 2021]

[LNFLE-6] World League of American Football Wayback Machine (2011)  5611 [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20111023235135im_/http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/5611.gif   [Accessed 6 October 2021]

[LNFLE-7] World League of American Football Wayback Machine (2011)  YNJKnights [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20111023235135im_/http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/YNJKnights.gif [Accessed 6 October 2021]

[LNFLE-8] World League of American Football Wayback Machine (2011)  Ohio_Glory [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20111023235135im_/http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/Ohio_Glory.gif [Accessed 6 October 2021]

[LNFLE-9] World League of American Football Wayback Machine (2011)  OrlandoThunder [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20111023235135im_/http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/OrlandoThunder.gif [Accessed 6 October 2021]

[LNFLE-10] World League of American Football Wayback Machine (2011)  SacramentoSurge [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20111023235135im_/http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/SacramentoSurge.gif [Accessed 6 October 2021]

[LNFLE-11] World League of American Football Wayback Machine (2011)  SanAntonioRiders [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20111023235135im_/http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/SanAntonioRiders.gif [Accessed 6 October 2021]

Scoreboard References

[2] Anon. (1992) “Your Week-by-Week Fixture Guide to the 1992 World League Season” First Down. March 21, 1992. Pg. 12-13. Published by Mediawatch, Charlbury, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom.

[3] Anon. (1992) “Scoreline” First Down. March 28, 1992. Pg. 5. Published by Mediawatch, Charlbury, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom

[4] Anon. (1992) “Scoreline” First Down. April 5, 1992. Pg. 5. Published by Mediawatch, Charlbury, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom

[5] Anon. (1992) “Scoreline” First Down. April 12, 1992. Pg. 5. Published by Mediawatch, Charlbury, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom

[6] Anon. (1992) “Scoreline” First Down. April 19, 1992. Pg. 5. Published by Mediawatch, Charlbury, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom

[7] Anon. (1992) “Scoreline” First Down. April 26, 1992. Pg. 5. Published by Mediawatch, Charlbury, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom

[8] Anon. (1992) “Scoreline” First Down. May 2, 1992. Pg. 5. Published by Mediawatch, Charlbury, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom

[9] Anon. (1992) “Scoreline” First Down. May 9, 1992. Pg. 5. Published by Mediawatch, Charlbury, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom

[10] Anon. (1992) “Scoreline” First Down. May 16, 1992. Pg. 5. Published by Mediawatch, Charlbury, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom

[11] Anon. (1992) “Scoreline” First Down. May 23, 1992. Pg. 5. Published by Mediawatch, Charlbury, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom

[12] Anon. (1992) “Scoreline” First Down. May 30, 1992. Pg. 5. Published by Mediawatch, Charlbury, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom.

[13] Anon. (1992) “What a Drag On!” First Down, June 6, 1992, pg. 4-5. Published by Mediawatch, Charlbury, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom.

[14] Anglesey, Steve (1992) “Ace Arch has a ball in Montreal” First Down, June 13, 1992, pg. 4-5. Published by Mediawatch, Charlbury, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom.

Magazines

[15] Anon. (1992) “WLAF Stats…Standings upto and including week 4” Touchdown. Volume 9, Issue 12. May 1992. pg. 48-52. published by AFCC Ltd. London. England, United Kingdom.

WEBSITES

[16] World League of American Football (2018) WLAF History: 1992 [Internet] Available from: http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/id166.html [Accessed 23 April 2018]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to Rose McCabe, Ann Hanley, Gabriel McCloyne, Emerson Callender, Peter Lemass, Gerry Tully & Ciaran Simms

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American & World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 9 April 2023

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2021-2023

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved. The Logos and Photos used in this article remain the property of the organisations and individuals which own the copyright and are used here for educational and information purposes only.

World League of American Football 1991-1992

PWLTPFPAPct
European
*London Monarchs10910310121.900
*Barcelona Dragons10820206126.800
Frankfurt Galaxy10730155139.700
North American East
*New York / New Jersey Knights10550257155.500
Orlando Thunder10550242286.500
Montreal Machine10460145144.400
Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks100100123300.000
North American West
*Birmingham Fire10550140140.500
San Antonio Riders10460176196.400
Sacramento Surge10370179254.300
World League of American Football Standings 1991 [Ref: 2-3]
Semi-Finals
02.06.1991Birmingham Fire3Barcelona Dragons10
02.06.1991New York/New Jersey Knights26London Monarchs42
World Bowl ’91 @ Wembley Stadium, London
09.06.1991London Monarchs21Barcelona Dragons0
World League of American Football Playoffs 1991 [Ref: 3-5]
PWLTPFPAPct
European
*Barcelona Dragons10550104161.500
Frankfurt Galaxy10370150257.300
London Monarchs10271178203.250
North American East
*Orlando Thunder10820247127.800
New York / New Jersey Knights10640248188.600
Montreal Machine10280175274.200
Ohio Glory10190132230.100
North American West
*Sacramento Surge10820250152.800
*Birmingham Fire10721192165.750
San Antonio Riders10730195150.700
World League of American Football Standings 1992 [Ref: 6-7]
Semi-Finals
31.05.1992Orlando Thunder45Birmingham Fire7
31.05.1992Sacramento Surge17Barcelona Dragons15
World Bowl ’92 @ Olympic Stadium, Montreal
07.06.1992Sacramento Surge21Orlando Thunder17
World League of American Football Playoffs 1992 [Ref: 7-9]

The London Monarchs won World Bowl ’91 21-0 against Barcelona Dragons at home in Wembley Stadium, in an all-European Final. They had finished top of the European Division with a 9-1 record, and the Dragons second with an 8-2 record, also qualifying for the playoffs as a wild-card qualifier (best runner-up).

The other Division Champions were New York New Jersey Knights (5-5, North American East) and Birmingham Fire (5-5, North American West). In all 10 teams played in the first year of the World League of American Football, including Frankfurt Knights, Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks, Orlando Thunder, Montreal Machine, Sacramento Surge and San Antonio Riders.

For the second season of the World League the NFL (the League’s owners) replaced the struggling Raleigh-Durham team with the Ohio Glory in Columbus. Barcelona Dragons (5-5), Orlando Thunder (8-2) and Sacramento Surge (8-2) were the three Division winners, with Birmingham Fire (8-2-1) also qualifying for the playoffs as a wildcard. Sacramento surge went on to win World Bowl ’92 21-17 against Orlando Thunder in the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Canada.

After 1992 the NFL put the World League on ice, and brought it back in 1995 as a Europe-only league with six teams.

The World League of American Football was started by the National Football League as an Official Development League, with the intention of also possibly heading off any rivial to the NFL in 1990s like the American Football League of the 1960s, World Football League of the 1970s, and United States Football League of the 1980s, all of whom attempted to take on the NFL head-to-head, and the in the case of the AFL to successfully merge with the NFL.

(For more on AAA American Football Leagues like the AFL, WFL and USFL see: AAA American Football , and for more on World Pro American Football Leagues, including ones in Europe, India, and China see: World Pro American Football . For Inter-League results involving the NFL, CFL and AFL’s from the 1920s to 1960s see: International American Football

There is also massive support for Gridiron (American) Football in Canada (see: Canadian Football Leagues, Mexico (see: Mexican American Football, and Japan (see: Japan American Football , all three of which would be Major League countries when it comes to American Football along with the United States of America.

[2] World League of American Football (2018) WLAF History: 1991 [Internet] Available from: http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/id165.html [Accessed 23 April 2018]

[3] Anon. (1991) “Standings” First Down, June 1, 1991, pg. 5

[4] Anon. (1991) “Jon’s too Hort to handle” First Down, June 8, 1991, pg. 4-5

[5] Anglesey, Steve (1991) “Enter the Dragons!” First Down, June 15, 1992, pg. 6-7

[6] World League of American Football (2018) WLAF History: 1992 [Internet] Available from: http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/id166.html [Accessed 23 April 2018]

[7] Anon. (1992) “Standings” First Down, May 30, 1992, pg. 5

[8] Anon. (1992) “What a Drag On!” First Down, June 6, 1992, pg. 4-5

[9] Anglesey, Steve (1992) “Ace Arch has a ball in Montreal” First Down, June 13, 1992, pg. 4-5

Thanks to Rose McCabe, Ann Hanley, Gabriel McCloyne, Eerson Callender, Peter Lemass, Gerry Tully & Ciaran Simms

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American & World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 4 April 2025. First Published: 14 August 2020

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