IFAF released the schedules for American football European Championships for the 2026 season

The men’s and U19 national teams of American football will kick off their new two-year European Championship series this year, culminating in medal and placement games to be held in 2027. The best European women’s teams will have the chance to determine the fate of the medals this coming summer.

The domestic American football national team season will start in April, when the U19 national team, which has remained in the bronze position for the last two European Championships, begins its new two-year campaign. The women’s national team will open its national team season in May, when it faces the reigning champion Spain at home in the last match of the group stage. The men’s national team will play in October, when Norway and Great Britain will compete with Finland for the group victory and a place in the medal games.

Finnish women fight for the championship

The Finnish women are entering the final stretch of their European Championship campaign from a strong position. After all the teams in the series have played two matches, Finland is the only team with a clean record. If Finland defeats Spain in the match played on the last weekend of May, they will advance to the European Championship final, which could be held on their home turf. However, everything is still possible in the series, as both Spain (1–1) and Germany (1-1) still have the chance to level with Finland with victories in the May games.

Upcoming matches
  • May 30/31: Spain – Finland, Great Britain – Germany
  • August 22/23: Final, bronze match
Played matches 2025
  • Finland – Germany 21 – 7
  • Great Britain – Finland 3 – 6 (OT)
  • Germany – Spain 22 – 7
  • Spain – Great Britain 26 – 22

 

It has been 7 years since the last European Championship title for Finnish American football (Photo: Linda Mustakari 2019)

The men start their new European Championship series as the second seed

The Finnish men are looking to secure their third consecutive medal position in the European Championship series with the status of the second-best team in Europe. A major surprise in the 2026–2027 European Championship series, which starts in October, is Germany’s complete withdrawal from the series after a disappointing performance at their home tournament in Krefeld. Also, Finland’s dear rival Sweden will skip the European Championship games.

In Finland’s European Championship group, Great Britain (7) and Norway (10) will compete. A total of 15 teams from European countries will participate in the IFAF men’s European Championship games, with 12 competing for the championship at level A, divided into four groups of three teams. The semi-finals and placement games will be held in August 2027, and the championship will be decided in October of the same year.

Finland’s group matches 2026
  • October 10/11: Norway – Finland
  • October 17/18: Great Britain – Norway
  • October 24/25: Finland – Great Britain

 

U19 youth seek third consecutive medal position

The Finnish U19 youth returned to the medal standings in international competitions with their bronze position in 2023 and want to extend their medal streak to three. In the 2026–2027 European Championship series, ten teams will compete for the age group championship. The countries are divided into three groups, with the winners advancing to the medal games in 2027. IFAF has placed Finland in the only group of four countries in the group stage, which also includes Germany, Hungary, and Poland.

Finland’s competition campaign will start on Easter Saturday, April 4, with a home match against Poland. The winners of the opening matches in the four-country group will face each other in a decisive match to be played in September, with the winner securing a guaranteed medal position in the 2027 games.

Finland’s group matches 2027
  • Saturday, April 4: Finland – Poland, Vantaa
  • April 4/5: Hungary – Germany
  • September 19/20: winner vs. winner, loser vs. loser

 

NOTE: Tickets for the opening game on Easter Saturday in Myyrmäki are already on sale: Ticket Point Finland – Poland

 

U17 youth return home to compete for the Nordic Championship.

The Finnish U17 youth are aiming for their fourth consecutive Nordic Championship as the Nordic American football youth arrive at Finland’s home ground in Vantaa to test their skills. The PM tournament will be held from October 14 to 17, 2026, at the Myyrmäki football stadium.

Additionally, the U15 development team’s calendar includes a match against the familiar opponent, the German GreenMachine, in the fall.

 

Will the medal streak continue at all levels?

Medal positions in all tournaments in the 2020s

Finnish American football national teams have succeeded in achieving a medal position in all IFAF leagues and tournaments they have participated in during the 2020s. Additionally, the U17 national team has established its place as the best Nordic team. Championships are still awaited, but this summer, Finnish women will have the opportunity to bring Finnish American football players back to the championship level in the European Championships.

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Images: Jari Turunen, Linda Mustakari, Laura Helminen