Panthers Wrocław Join New European AFLE League in 2026

Panthers Wrocław are officially joining the newly established American Football League Europe (AFLE), beginning competition in the 2026 season. This decision is part of building a stable and lasting foundation for American football in Europe.

AFLE aims to become a new, reliable home for American football on the continent, with a strong emphasis on respecting the people involved in its development. The league’s headquarters are located in Hamburg. The operational side of the organization will be led by Frank Wendorf, one of the most experienced figures in European American football, supported by a significant part of his former trusted team. During the launch phase of AFLE, strategic leadership will be overseen by Till Grönemeyer, who will serve as head of the advisory board. His experience in scaling fast-growing companies is meant to provide the league with the necessary structure, financial discipline, and strategic clarity, ensuring a balance between stability and innovation.

“We know many fans have been waiting for this announcement. Over the past months, together with our partners, we have been working to choose the best direction for the development of American football at the European level. Joining AFLE is an important and natural step forward for us—a chance to continue the growth of professional football in Wrocław in a stable, well-organized environment. We are excited to become part of a new European league and a community of clubs that are thinking about the future of this sport. This project is not only about competition among the best teams but also about investing in the long-term development of the sport on our continent, something we are already discussing with our partners,” says Jacek Tarczyński, President of Panthers Wrocław.

Although the league’s official legal name is AFLE, it will operate under the modern, international brand The League: Europe. This cultural identity is intended to unite fans across borders and reflect what football in Europe truly is: family, community, resilience, and belonging.

“Panthers are one of the best organizations in Europe, and we intend to prove it on the field. The league looks challenging, and we’re not expecting any easy games—and that’s great! Our plan for 2026 is to put a well-trained, disciplined, and aggressive team of men on the field, men who play for each other,” says Dave Likins, head coach of Panthers Wrocław.

“As players, we are finally glad to know which league we will compete in. Of course, as Panthers Wrocław players, we are used to the club doing everything possible to ensure we can compete in the best conditions and against the best teams. We know the league is built on solid foundations—on people with experience in creating projects of this kind. We also know that the teams joining the league are among the elite in Europe, so we expect strong, hard-fought games. And that only motivates us, the players, to work even harder,” adds Rafał Rogaczewski, center for Panthers Wrocław.

Panthers Wrocław are the second officially announced team, alongside Germany’s Rhein Fire. In the inaugural season, teams from Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Monaco, and the United Kingdom will join the representatives of Poland.

Ticket sales for the inaugural season will begin in January 2026. The final game, which will be played in Germany, is scheduled for September 6, 2026.