American Football In Austria: Is It Popular?

American football is a popular sport in Austria, with the country currently boasting over 30 men's teams and approximately 10 women's teams. The Austrian Football League (AFL) is the highest level of American football in the country and is considered one of the best and strongest leagues in Europe. The Austrian national American football team has also found success, becoming the 2023 European champions. However, the traditional national football team in Austria refers to the men's international football team, which has a rich history, including a fourth-place finish in the 1934 FIFA World Cup and a silver medal at the 1936 Summer Olympics.

Austrian national American football team

The Austrian national American football team is the official senior national team of Austria and the current 2023 European champion. The team's players are mostly recruited from the Austrian Football League, though some play in other European leagues, most commonly the German Football League.

Austria's national team placed third at the 1995 European Championship of American football, which they hosted, and again in 2010. They placed second in 2014, losing to Germany in front of 27,000 spectators at Vienna's Ernst-Happel-Stadion, and again in 2018. In 2021, they placed fifth overall, losing unexpectedly to Italy in the group phase. However, they bounced back in 2023, defeating Italy and Finland to win their first European championship.

In 2021, the Austrian and German governing bodies, AFBÖ and AFVD, announced their intention to hold recurring matchups between the two national teams every other year, with the first to be held in 2022.

Austrian Football League (AFL)

The Austrian Football League (AFL) is the highest level of American football in Austria. It was founded in 1982 by teams such as the Salzburg Lions, Graz Giants, Vienna Ducks, and Vienna Ramblocks. The AFL has always been considered among the best and strongest leagues in Europe, especially from 2004 to 2011, when an Austrian AFL team won the Eurobowl seven out of eight times. The league plays by rules based on those of the NCAA, and has a tier pyramid system with teams playing in divisions I through IV. Winners of each division move up to the next level of play.

The first Austrian Bowl was held in 1984 in Salzburg, and the AFL has since expanded to include teams from other countries, such as the Prague Panthers from the Czech Republic, who joined in 2010. The AFL is known for its focus on homegrown players, with specific rule limitations on the number of foreign players allowed on rosters. The regular season currently consists of ten games starting in mid-March, with playoffs continuing through July.

Notable players and coaches in the AFL include Sandro Platzgummer, RB for the Raiders Tirol and NFL's New York Giants; Bernhard Raimann, TE-OL for the Vienna Vikings and the NFL's Indianapolis Colts; and Sean Shelton, three-time AFL League MVP and QB for the Swarco Raiders.

The AFL has produced successful players who have gone on to play in the NFL and other major leagues, showcasing the league's quality and impact on the sport in Europe.

European Championship record

The Austrian national American football team has a rich history in the European Championship, with several notable performances over the years.

In the inaugural European Championship of American football in 1983, Austria placed fifth. They improved on this performance in the 1995 edition, which they hosted, finishing in third place. Austria replicated this feat in 2010, placing third once again.

In 2014, Austria came tantalisingly close to lifting the trophy, but ultimately settled for second place. They were hosts once more and made it to the final, where they faced Germany. In front of a packed crowd of 27,000 spectators at Vienna's Ernst-Happel-Stadion, the Austrians fell just short, losing in double overtime.

Austria's campaign in the 2021 European Championship was less successful, as an unexpected loss to Italy in the group stage saw them finish in fifth place overall. However, they bounced back strongly in 2023, defeating Italy and Finland to clinch their first-ever European championship title.

In addition to the national team's achievements, Austrian club teams have also excelled in European competitions. The Vienna Vikings and the Tyrol Raiders, in particular, have enjoyed multiple successes in the Eurobowl.

IFAF World Championship record

American football is played in Austria, and the country has a national team that has competed in the IFAF World Championship. The IFAF World Championship of American Football (also known as the IFAF World Cup) is an international competition held every four years, featuring teams from member nations.

Austria has a notable IFAF World Championship record, having hosted the tournament in 2011. In addition, Austrian players have achieved several records during the championship. For example, in the 2011 tournament, Mario Nerad from Austria threw 3 interceptions in the game against Australia. Furthermore, David Ward, representing Austria, threw 3 interceptions against Japan in the 1999 championship.

Austria's national team has also achieved success in the IFAF U20 World Championship, winning the bronze medal by defeating the USA. This victory is significant as it represents the first World Championship medal for a European team.

The IFAF World Championship has a rich history, with the most recent tournament taking place in 2015, featuring seven teams. The current defending champions are the United States, who have won the championship in 2007, 2011, and 2015. Prior to the American team's participation, Japan dominated, winning the championship in 1999 and 2003.

Notable Austrian players and coaches

American football is played in Austria, with the Austrian Football League (AFL) being the highest level of the sport in the country. The AFL is considered one of the best and strongest leagues in Europe. The league was founded in 1982 and plays by rules based on those of the NCAA. The league is structured with a tier pyramid system, with winners of each division moving up to the next level of play.

The Austrian national American football team is the current 2023 European champion. The team's players are mostly recruited from the AFL, though some play in other European leagues, particularly the German Football League.

Players

• Sandro Platzgummer, RB for Raiders Tirol, AFL-Offensive Player of the Year, and former New York Giants player
• Bernhard Raimann, TE-OL for Vienna Vikings, currently of the NFL Indianapolis Colts
• Bernhard Seikovits, TE for Vienna Vikings, currently of the NFL Arizona Cardinals
• Max Pircher, OL for Raiders Tirol, currently of the NFL Seattle Seahawks
• Anthony Thompson, 1993 AFL League MVP, Bulls 1993-94 & Mercenaries 1995 RB/LB, former NFL player for the Denver Broncos
• Eric Beavers, 1992 AFL League MVP, Graz Giants QB 1991-1993, former Nevada Wolfpack player
• Doug Wilkerson, Graz Giants OL/DL 1987, former NFL All Pro player for the San Diego Chargers
• Tony Hunt, former RB for Vienna Vikings and NFL player for the Philadelphia Eagles
• Todd Hendricks, 1995 AFL League MVP, 1995-96 Offensive Player of the Year, former AFC Rangers WR/RB
• Dave Dunn, Graz Giants 1991-1992 DL
• Mark Helfrich, former Vienna Viking QB 1997, former Oregon Ducks head coach
• Emmanuel Moody, former Vienna Viking RB, Florida Gators player
• Reece Horn, former Vienna Vikings WR, and NFL player
• Darius Robinson, former Swarco Tirol Raiders DB and NFL player, Clemson Tigers football player

Coaches

• Thomas Smythe, AFL Coach of the Year, 1994-2006 Head Coach of Vienna Vikings, led team to 8 AFL championships and 3 Eurobowl titles
• Hugh Mendez, 1993 AFL Coach of the Year, AFL Champion 1993, former Head Coach of Feldkich Dinos 1993-94 and Klosterneuburg Mercenaries 1995
• Rick Rhoades, 2008 AFL Coach of the Year, 2007-2011 Head Coach of Graz Giants, former Austrian National Team Head Coach
• Shuan Fatah, AFL Coach of the Year, AFL Champion, Eurobowl Champion, Head Coach of Swarco Raiders
• Chris Calaycay, AFL Coach of the Year, former Vienna Viking DB, AFL and Eurobowl Champion

Frequently asked questions