World Football Leagues Era Timeline 1972-Present

Intercontinental Football Leagues 1972-1989

Years Active	Teams
	Intercontinental Football League Europe 1972-1975
1972	NFL Bleu (Paris)
1972	NFL Rouge (Paris)
1973-1975	Rome Gladiators
1973-1975	Barcelona Almogovares
1973-1975	Istanbul Conquerors
1973-1975	West Berlin Bears
1973-1975	Vienna Lippizaners
1973-1975	Munich Lions
	Intercontinental Football League USA 1972-1978
1972	Air Force All-Stars
1972	Rota Naval Base Admirals
1973	University of Rhode Island Rams
1973	USAFE All-Stars
1976	Henderson State Reddies
1976	Texas A&I Javelinas
1977	Chicago Lions
1977	Newton Nite Hawks
1978	Indianapolis Capitols
1978	Quad Cities Black Hawks
	Canadian Football League USA 1993-1995; 2002-2005
1993-1994	Sacramento Gold Miners
1994-1995	Baltimore Stallions
1994	Las Vegas Posse
1994-1995	Shreveport Pirates
1995	Birmingham Barracudas
1995	Memphis Mad Dogs
1995	San Antonio Texans
2002-2005	Ottawa Renegades
	United Football League 2009-2011
2009	California Redwoods (San Jose)
2009-2010	Florida Tuskers (Orlando)
2009-2011	Las Vegas Locomotives
2009	New York Sentinels
2010	Hartford Colonials
2010-2011	Omaha Nighthawks
2010-2011	Sacramento Mountain Lions
2011	Virginia Destroyers

European Football Leagues 1991-2007

Years Active	Teams
	World League of American Football 1991-1992
1991-1992	Birmingham Fire
1991-1992	Montreal Machine
1991-1992	New York / New Jersey Knights
1991-1992	Orlando Thunder
1991	Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks
1991-1992	Sacramento Surge
1991-1992	San Antonio Riders
1992	Ohio Glory (Columbus)
	National Football League Europe 1991-2007
1991-2003	Barcelona Dragons
1991-2007	Frankfurt Galaxy
1991-1998	London / England Monarchs
1995-2007	Amsterdam Admirals
1995-2007	Rhein Fire
1995-2004	Scottish Claymores
1999-2007	Berlin Thunder
2004-2007	Cologne Centurions
2005-2007	Hamburg Sea Devils
	European League of American Football 1993
1993-1995	Hamburg Blue Devils
1993	Cologne Crocodiles
1993	Munich Cowboys
1993	Manchester EuroSpartans
1993	EuroSteelers
1993	EuroBears
1993	EuroRaiders
1993	EuroMonarchs
	American Football League of Europe 1994-1995
1994-1995	Stockholm Nordic Vikings
1994	Berlin Bears
1994	Helsinki Roosters
1995	Frankfurt Knights
1994-1995	Sheffield GB Spartans
1994	Munich Thunder
1994-1995	Amsterdam Crusaders
1994	Frankfurt Gamblers
1995	Bergamo Lions

World Football Leagues 2012-Present

Years Active	Teams
	Elite Football League of India 2012
2012	Bangalore Warhawks
2012	Colombo Lions
2012	Delhi Defenders
2012	Kandy Sky Kings
2012	Kolkata Vipers
2012	Mumbai Gladiators
2012	Pakistan Wolfpack
2012	Pune Marathas
	Lingerie Football League Canada 2012-2013
2012-2013	BC Angels
2012-2013	Regina Rage
2012-2013	Saskatoon Sirens
2012-2013	Toronto Triumph
	Legends Football League Australia 2013-2014
2013-2014	NSW Surge
2013-2014	Queensland Brigade
2013-2014	Victoria Maidens
2013-2014	Western Australia Angels
	Pretty Girls Football League Mexico 2017
2017	Cazadoras Los Mochis
2017	Cougars Veracruz
2017	Diosas Cahitas Los Mochis
2017	Evil Queens Culiacan
2017	Linces de Puebla
2017	Lycans EdoMex Ojo de Agua
2017	Morrigans CDMX
2017	Ronin de Puebla Somos
2017	Valkirias San Luis Potosi
	China Arena Football League 2016; 2019
2016-2019	Beijing Lions
2016	Dalian Dragon Kings
2016	Guangzhou Power
2016	Qingdao Clipper
2016	Shanghai Skywalkers
2016	Shenzhen Naja
2019	Shanghai Legend
2019	Shenyang Black Rhinos
2019	Wuhan Gators

Report

The first attempts at bringing American Football to the World were in the early 1970s, when Bob Kapp, who had successfully brought Professional Soccer to Texas sought to do the same with American Football in Europe. The Intercontinental Football League featured American teams playing as tourists for the European Championship from 1976 to 1978, as well as a game between two NFL teams NFL Bleu and NFL Rouge in Paris. There was also an attempt to start a Pro League in Europe with six teams, and alhough franchises wrre sold the oil crisis and the spectre of terrorism put a stop to it. The last of these tours was by two Oklahoma Colleges in USSR in 1989.

Beginning in 1991, the National Football League started the World League of American Football with teams in United States, Canada, and Europe. Emmett Waldron, who was born in Cork, played for the Scottish Claymores from 1995 to 1998 when the League was a Europe-only league renamed NFL Europe.

The first Leagues other than American promoted Pro League appeared in 1994-1995 with the American Football League of europe, featuring mainly homegrown European players. In 1993 to 1995 the Canadian Football League also attempted to go “World” by putting teams in the United States of America. The United Football League of 2009-2011 belongs in this category of World League as it actually played three full seasons, whereas most Leagues of this Era in USA ether failed to get off the ground or played a limited 2-game schedule. In 2012 the Elite Football League of India was started by former NFL players and coaches, and featured teams in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Beginning in 2012-13 the Legends and Arena Leagues decided to go Global, with the Lingerie Football League placing teams in Canada for the 2012-13 season, and then as the newly renamed Legends Football League in Australia in 2013-14. Ireland’s Linda Holland, born in Cork, played for the Western Australia Angels in 2013-14. In 2017 the Pretty Girls Football League in Mexico was another of these Leagues. The Arena Football League also got in on the action with its China AFL league playing two season in 2016 and 2019.

References

Website / Sources

[1] Mark L. Ford and Massimo Foglio, The Coffin Corner Volume 27,No. 6, Pro Football Researchers Association (2002) THE FIRST “NFL EUROPE”[Internet] Available from: http://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/27-06-1101.pdf [Accessed 20 October 2019]

Bibiography

[2] Massimo Foglio with Mark L. Ford (2017), Touchdown in Europe – How American Football Came to the Old Continent. Second Edition “The Trailblazers: Bleu et Rouge, College and Semi-Pro”. pg. 151-188. Published by the Author (2015, 2017)

Internet Archive

[3] American Football (Russia) (2017) History in Russia [Internet] Available from: http://www.americanfootball.ru/Hist_RUS.php [Accessed 24 December 2017]

Websites

[4] World League of American Football (2018) WLAF Logo [Internet] Available from: http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/WLAFlogo.gif [Accessed 23 April 2018]

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

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

[7] World League of American Football (2018) WLAF History: 1995 [Interne] Available from: http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/id170.html [Accessed 23 April 2018]

[8] World League of American Football (2018) WLAF History: 1996 [Internet] Available from: http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/id171.html [Accessed 23 April 2018]

[9] World League of American Football (2018) WLAF History: 1997 [Internet] Available from: http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/id172.html [Accessed 23 April 2018]

[10] World League of American Football (2018) WLAF History: 1998 [Internet] Available from: http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/id173.html [Accessed 23 April 2018]

[11] World League of American Football (2018) WLAF History: 1999 [Internet] Available from: http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/id174.html [Accessed 23 April 2018]

[12] World League of American Football (2018) WLAF History: 2000 [Internet] Available from: http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/id175.html [Accessed 23 April 2018]

[13] World League of American Football (2018) WLAF History: 2001 [Internet] Available from: http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/id176.html [Accessed 23 April 2018]

[14] World League of American Football (2018) WLAF History: 2002 [Internet] Available from: http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/id177.html [Accessed 23 April 2018]

[15] World League of American Football (2018) WLAF History: 2003 [Internet] Available from: http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/id178.html [Accessed 23 April 2018]

[16] World League of American Football (2018) WLAF History: 2004 [Internet] Available from: http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/id179.html [Accessed 23 April 2018]

[17] World League of American Football (2018) WLAF History: 2005 [Internet] Available from: http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/id180.html [Accessed 23 April 2018]

[18] World League of American Football (2018) WLAF History: 2006 [Internet] Available from: http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/id181.html [Accessed 23 April 2018]

[19] World League of American Football (2018) WLAF History: 2007 [Internet] Available from: http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/id182.html [Accessed 23 April 2018]

Newspapers

[20] Naughton, Lindie (1996) US FOOTBALL Evening Herald. Thursday, 29 February 1996. pg 62 [Internet] Available from: http://archive.irishnewsarchive.com/Olive/APA/INA/Print.Article.aspx?mode=image&href=EHD%2F1996%2F02%2F29&id=Ar06206 [Accessed 5 July 2017]

Images

[21] World League of American Football (2018) WLAF Logo [Internet] Available from: http://www.worldleagueofamericanfootball.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/WLAFlogo.gif [Accessed 23 April 2018]

Websites

[22] Google Groups – rec.sport.football.misc (1994) Message by Ludwig Alberter – 5 September 1994 [Internet] Available from: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rec.sport.football.misc/oNVilaWhNSY [Accessed 21 August 2018]

[23] Google Groups – rec.sport.football.misc (1994) Message by Dominik Kubla – 5 November 1994 [Internet] Available from: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rec.sport.football.misc/BRx_xxVsAoY [Accessed 21 August 2018]

Sources

[24] FD Reporter (1995) “Terry Launches Second Coming” First Down, May 20, 1995, P. 18.

[25] Rowlands, Neil (1995) “It’s back to the good old Haze!” First Down, May 27, 1995, P. 22.

[26] Anon. (1995) “I’ll give any unhappy fans money back” First Down, June 10, 1995, P. 18.

[27] Myatt, Steve (1995) “Sedin Death!” First Down, June 17, 1995, P. 21.

[28] Myatt, Steve (1995) “Defensive Disaster sees Spartans crumble to 0-5” First Down, July 15, 1995, P. 18.

[29] Anon. (1995) “We can bounce back, says Tel” First Down, July 1, 1995, P. 18.

[30] FD Reporter (1995) “Sitting on the dock of a bay” First Down, August 5, 1995, P. 19.

Online Encyclopedia

[31] Enciclopedia del Football Italiano (2019) American Football League Europe 1995 [Internet] Available from: http://www.warriorsbologna.it/public/Enciclopedia/PDF/1995_afle_eur.pdf [Accessed 4 December 2019]

News Groups

[32] Google Groups | rec.sport.football.misc (1995) [FLE] Schedule of 1995 Season | Post by Domink Kubla 27 May 1995 [Internet] Available from: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rec.sport.football.misc/6Y8ECEnsSi0 [Accessed 8 August 2018]

[33] Google Groups | rec.sport.football.misc (1995) [FLE] Latest News and first result | Post by Domink Kubla 2 June 1995 [Internet] Available from: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rec.sport.football.misc/j1J9u7pcYPo [Accessed 8 August 2018]

[34] Canadian Football League (2019) Standings | 2002 [Internet] Available from: https://www.cfl.ca/standings/?season=2002 [Accessed 9 March 2019]

[35] Canadian Football League (2019) Standings | 2003 [Internet] Available from: https://www.cfl.ca/standings/?season=2003 [Accessed 9 March 2019]

[36] Canadian Football League (2019) Standings | 2004 [Internet] Available from: https://www.cfl.ca/standings/?season=2004 [Accessed 9 March 2019]

[37] Canadian Football League (2019) Schedule | 2004 [Internet] Available from: https://www.cfl.ca/schedule/?season=2004 [Accessed 9 March 2019]

[38] Canadian Football League (2019) Standings | 2005 [Internet] Available from: https://www.cfl.ca/standings/?season=2005 [Accessed 9 March 2019]

[39] Canadian Football League (2019) Schedule | 2005 [Internet] Available from: https://www.cfl.ca/schedule/?season=2005 [Accessed 9 March 2019]

Internet Archive

[40] United Football League | Internet Archive (2010) Schedule 2009 [Internet] Available from: https://web.archive.org/web/20100102212241/http://www.ufl-football.com/schedule [Accessed 13 August 2019]

[41] United Football League | Internet Archive (2011) Schedule 2010 [Internet] Available from: https://web.archive.org/web/20110609043730/http://www.ufl-football.com/schedule [Accessed 13 August 2019]

[42] United Football League | Internet Archive (2011) Schedule 2011 [Internet] Available from: https://web.archive.org/web/20111026023511/http://www.ufl-football.com/schedule [Accessed 13 August 2019]

Bibliography

[43] Maher, Todd & Gill, Bob (2013) Canadian Pro Football Encyclopedia | The Annual Record pg. 108-110. Maher Sports Media, 2013.

[44] Maher, Todd & Gill, Bob (2013) Canadian Pro Football Encyclopedia | The Game Scores pg. 5-10. Maher Sports Media, 2013.

Online Encyclopedias

[45] Wikipedia (2016) 2012 Elite Football League of India Season [Internet] Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Elite_Football_League_of_India_season [Accessed 23 October 2016]

Internet Archive

[46] LFL Canada | Internet Archive (2012) LFL Canada | 2012-13 | Standings [Internet] Available from: https://web.archive.org/web/20121119013016/http://lflcanada.com/standings.php [Accessed 31 August 2019]

[47] De La Fuente, Marcus (2012) LINGERIE BOWL I: HANSON & GARCIA LIGHT UP THE FIELD FOR BC AS MISSED OPPORTUNITIES AND MISTAKES PLAGUE SASKATOON LFL Canada | Internet Archive [Internet] Available from: https://web.archive.org/web/20121205072904/http://www.lfl360.com/articles/lingerie-bowl-i-hanson-garcia-light-field-bc-missed-opportunities-mistakes-plague-saskatoon/ [Accessed 31 August 2019]

Websites

[48] Brian O’Reilly – Irish Independent (2014) February 13 2014: Video: Irish woman becomes star of Australia’s Lingerie Football League [Internet] Availabble from: https://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/video-irish-woman-becomes-star-of-australias-lingerie-football-league-30007193 [Accessed 6 May 2018]

[49] LFL 360 (2013) NSW Surge vs QLD Brigade – The inaugural Australian LFL game [Internet] Available from: https://www.lfl360.com/australia/new-south-wales-surge/nsw-surge-qld-brigade-the-inaugural-australian-lfl-game/ [Accessed 6 May 2018]

[50] LFL 360 (2013) A Packed Stadium and Upset Win Add to an Ulnikely Maiden Voyage [Internet] Available from: https://www.lfl360.com/australia/packed-stadium-upset-win-add-maiden-voyage/ [Accessed 6 May 2018]

[51] LFL 360 (2013) Heavenly Debut for the Angels [Internet] Available from: https://www.lfl360.com/australia/heavenly-debut-angels/ [Accessed 6 May 2018]

[52] LFL 360 (2013) A Surge Capsizes Maiden Voyage, NSW 36 VIC 12 [Internet] Available from: https://www.lfl360.com/australia/surge-capsizes-maiden-voyage-34-12-sydney [Accessed 6 May 2018]

[53] LFL 360 (2014) Massacre on the Gold Coast, Angels soar above Brigade 41-0 [Internet] Available from: https://www.lfl360.com/australia/massacre-gold-coast-angels-soar-brigade-41-0 [Accessed 6 May 2018]

[54] LFL 360 (2014) LFL Australia: Articles [Internet] Available from: https://www.lfl360.com/category/australia/ [Accessed 6 May 2018]

[55] LFL 360 (2014) LFL Australia: Articles – Page 2 [Internet] Available from: https://www.lfl360.com/category/australia/page/2/ [Accessed 6 May 2018]

Websites

[56] Arena Fan (2016) China Arena Football League Standings [Internet] Available from: https://web.archive.org/web/20161107032211/http://www.arenafan.com/statistics/?page=standings&league=4 [Accessed 31 August 2019]

[57] Morninghof, Mick (2016) Beijing Wins CAFL Bowl on Final Play [Internet] Available from: http://caflfootball.com/beijing-wins-cafl-china-bowl-on-final-play/ [Accessed 31 August 2019]

[58] Morninghof, Mick (2016) Shanghai Takes Third With 57-52 Win [Internet] Available from: http://caflfootball.com/shanghai-takes-third-with-57-52-win/ [Accessed 31 August 2019]

[59] Morninghof, Mick (2016) Naja Finish at .500 With 46-30 Win Over Dalian [Internet] Available from: http://caflfootball.com/shanghai-takes-third-with-57-52-win/ [Accessed 31 August 2019]

[60] China Arena Football League (2019) CAFL 2019 Competition Breakdown! [Internet] Available from: http://caflfootball.com/cafl-2019-competition-breakdown/ [Accessed 3 December 2019]

[61] China Arena Football League | Facebook (2019) Post, November 13, 2019: ” Final Score from Shenyang: Beijing 28 Shenyang 0 “ [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/CAFLFootball/posts/2768277399901933 [Accessed 3 December 2019]

[62] China Arena Football League | Facebook (2019) Post, November 22, 2019: ” Final Score in Wuhan: Gators 40 Shanghai 0 “ [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/CAFLFootball/posts/2791563504239989 [Accessed 3 December 2019]

[63] China Arena Football League | Facebook (2019) Post, December 6, 2019: ” Half way through Match Play and Day 1 of the CAFL Championship Tournament and here are the scores: “ [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/CAFLFootball/posts/2823067901089549 [Accessed 10 December 2019]

[64] China Arena Football League | Facebook (2019) Post, December 6, 2019: “ The first day is complete and here is how the teams finished in day 1 of Match Play of the CAFL 2019 Championship Tournament. “ [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/CAFLFootball/posts/2823301561066183 [Accessed 10 December 2019]

[65] China Arena Football League | Facebook (2019) Post, December 8, 2019: ” The Shenyang Black Rhinos take home the 3rd Place OF THE CAFL 2029 Championship Tournament with an 18-6 win over the Shanghai Legends. “ [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/CAFLFootball/posts/2827977440598595 [Accessed 10 December 2019]

[66] China Arena Football League | Facebook (2019) Post, December 8, 2019: ” What an epic battle as the CAFL 2019 Tournament Championship Game gave fans all that they could ask for as the Wuhan Gators came from behind in regulation to tie the score and take the game to overtime to defeat the 2016 champions Beijing Lions 30-22.  “ [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/CAFLFootball/posts/2827996027263403 [Accessed 10 December 2019]

[67] Arena Football League (2019) Official Statement [Internet] Available from: https://www.arenafootball.com/article/nov27-statement [Accessed 3 December 2019]

Social Media

[68] Pretty Girls Football League Facebook Page (2017) Post June 27, 2017: “Se ha llegado la hora,” [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/LigaPGFL/posts/1481540131916233 [Accessed 8 October 2018]

[69] Pretty Girls Football League Facebook Page (2017) Post July 16, 2017: “Marcador final
Cougars Veracruz 12 – 28 Valkirias Slp” [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/LigaPGFL/posts/1505052382898341:0 [Accessed 8 October 2018]

Images

[70] Brian O’Reilly – Irish Independent (2014) February 13 2014: Video: Irish woman becomes star of Australia’s Lingerie Football League [Internet] Availabble from: https://cdn-03.independent.ie/videos/article30006990.ece/fd099/AUTOCROP/h342/West%20Cork’s%20Linda%20Holland%20on%20reaching%20football’s%20largest%20stage%20in%20Australia%20(Generated%20thumbnail) [Accessed 29 November 2019]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Joe Grey (Dublin Dragons) Sean Douglas (Dublin Rebels & UCD) Fiona Corrigan, Caoimhe Mullaney, Alan Delaney; Cillian Smith, Michael Smith, Ralph Schmeer, and Michael Brophy (IAFA).

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 10 July 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved.