Competitions
How American football is organised in Spain and Europe, from the national league to professional competitions.
- National top tier
LNFA (Liga Nacional de Fútbol Americano)
Federación Española de Fútbol Americano (FEFA) · 1995 · Tackle
Top tier of senior men's American football in Spain, created in 1995. Ten teams in two conferences (East and West); the final is called the Spanish Bowl. FEFA uses LNFA and LNFA Serie A interchangeably.
- National second tier
LNFA 2
Federación Española de Fútbol Americano (FEFA) · Tackle
National second tier (also called LNFA Serie B). In 2025-26 it featured 29 teams in five territorial groups plus a playoff; the champion is promoted to the LNFA.
- National top tier
LNFA Femenina
Federación Española de Fútbol Americano (FEFA) · 2011 · Tackle
National women's tackle football league. Seven teams in 2025-26; the final is called the Spanish Bowl Femenina. FEFA's records start in 2011.
- National top tier
Copa de España
Federación Española de Fútbol Americano (FEFA) · 1995 · Tackle
Senior men's cup competition played in the autumn, before the league. The 2025 edition was won by Badalona Dracs against L'Hospitalet Pioners.
- National top tier
Spanish Flag Bowl
Federación Española de Fútbol Americano (FEFA) · 2001 · Flag
Spain's national club flag football championship (Open and Women's), played over a weekend. The 2026 edition gathered 18 teams in Calatayud.
- Regional
Lliga Catalana de Futbol Americà
Federació Catalana de Futbol Americà (FCFA) · 1988 · Tackle
Spain's first official American football competition (autumn 1988). Today it doubles as the Catalan Conference of LNFA 2.
- Professional
European Football Alliance
European Football Alliance (liga de propiedad de los equipos) · 2025 · Tackle
Professional league created by former ELF franchises. Its first season, in 2026, featured six teams and was won by Nordic Storm. Madrid Bravos was a founding member but withdrew before competing.
- Professional
American Football League Europe
American Football League Europe · 2025 · Tackle
Professional league founded in December 2025 with teams coming from the ELF. Its first season, in 2026, featured eight teams and was won by Vienna Vikings (Gold Bowl 68-5 over Panthers Wrocław). After Madrid Bravos withdrew, it let teams sign Spanish ex-Bravos players as homegrown talent.
- European
German Football League
American Football Verband Deutschland (AFVD) · Tackle
Germany's national league, one of the strongest in Europe. Its final, the GFL Bowl, matched Dresden Monarchs and Potsdam Royals on 3 October 2026 in Dresden.
- Professional
NFL
National Football League · Tackle
The American professional league has played in Madrid since 2025: on 16 November 2025 the Miami Dolphins beat the Washington Commanders 16-13 at the Bernabéu in front of 78,610, and on 8 November 2026 the Atlanta Falcons host the Cincinnati Bengals at the same stadium under a multi-year deal.
- International
NCAA Division I FBS
National Collegiate Athletic Association · Tackle
Top level of American college football. Navy competes in the American Conference.
- Professional
European League of Football
European League of Football GmbH · 2021–2026 · Tackle
European professional league founded in November 2020 by Patrick Esume and Željko Karajica; first season in 2021 with eight teams. It had two Spanish franchises, Barcelona Dragons (2021-2024) and Madrid Bravos (2024-2025). It did not play a 2026 season: the Hamburg court opened insolvency proceedings on 23 March 2026.
- Professional
World League / NFL Europe
National Football League · 1991–2007 · Tackle
Professional league backed by the NFL, first as the World League of American Football (1991) and later NFL Europe. The Barcelona Dragons were a founding franchise and 1997 World Bowl champions; the league suspended the team after 2003.