World League / NFL Europe
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.
HistoryFrom Badalona to Madrid: the story of American football in Spain
Pillar article on how American football arrived in Spain, who brought it, how competitions were born and where the sport stands today. Every milestone links to its source.
12 September 2026 · 9 min read
- History
Barcelona Dragons: rise, fall and legacy of professional football in Barcelona
Barcelona has had professional football in two different eras under the same name. This article separates both stages, explains what links them (only the name) and documents how each one ended.
12 September 2026 · 6 min read
Sources
Last verified: 12 September 2026- [1]
The Barcelona Dragons are back!
European League of Football (web oficial, copia en Internet Archive) · League official · 24 March 2021 · accessed 12 September 2026
Franchise's first game (24 March 1991), ELF-NFL naming agreement (9 March 2021), Reus stadium in 2021.
- [2]
NFL Europe League Suspends Operations of Barcelona Dragons
NFL Europe League (nota de prensa vía Sportcal) · League official · 1 December 2003 · accessed 12 September 2026
Exact release date not shown on the page; 2003 context.
- [3]
Barcelona Dragons (NFL Europe)
Wikipedia (en) · Encyclopedia · accessed 12 September 2026