The board of the American Football Association of Finland (SAJL) confirmed the schedule for the men’s Maple League for the 2023 season at its weekend meeting. The battle for the Finnish championship in American football will kick off on Thursday, May 11th.

The Maple League will be played as a double round-robin between seven teams in the 2023 season. The teams will face each other in home and away games, and the top four will continue to the playoffs to compete for a place in the final. The championship title will be decided for the 44th time.

The opening game of the league will feature a delicious local derby between two teams from Ostrobothnia on Thursday, May 11th. The traditional Botnia Bowl will see last season’s runners-up, Seinäjoki Crocodiles, face the returning Wasa Royals. The Botnia Bowl was last played in July 2021.

The final game of the Maple League, Maple Bowl XLIV, will be played on September 9th at Seinäjoki’s OmaSp Stadium.

Week 1 of the Maple League:

• Thu 11.5. Crocodiles – Royals, Wirokit Stadium, Seinäjoki
• Fri 12.5. Wolverines – Crusaders, Velodrome, Helsinki
• Sat 13.5. Roosters – Steelers, Velodrome, Helsinki
• Porvoon Butchers have a bye week.

Full schedule:  Maple League 2023