Turkey - one more for 2022
When the Istanbul Rams were officially announced on October 15, 2021, the European League of Football took its first bold step beyond Central Europe.
Suddenly, the ELF wasn’t just a continental idea — it was truly European. From the banks of the Bosphorus, Istanbul became the league’s first franchise from outside the European Union, connecting east and west in both geography and ambition.
Teams 2022
- Berlin Thunder (Berlin)
- Hamburg Sea Devils (Hamburg)
- Leipzig Kings (Leipzig)
- Panthers Wrocław (Wrocław)
- Frankfurt Galaxy (Frankfurt)
- Cologne Centurions (Köln)
- Barcelona Dragons (Reus/Spanien)
- Stuttgart Surge (Stuttgart)
- Rhein Fire (Duisburg)
- Raiders Tirol (Innsbruck)
- Vienna Vikings (Vienna)
- Istanbul Rams (Istanbul)
A Gateway Between Worlds
For years, the Rams — officially known as the Koç Rams — had been one of Turkey’s powerhouse American football programs, dominating the Turkish league and representing the country in international competitions. Their entry into the ELF symbolized more than just expansion; it was a cultural handshake between football communities separated by language, distance, and tradition.
The Rams brought passion, history, and a hunger to prove that Turkish football could hang with Europe’s best. Their addition gave the ELF a new horizon — and a new fanbase ready to wave flags and light fireworks along the Bosphorus.
The Short but Bright Flame
Despite the excitement, the Rams’ ELF journey was brief. After a tough 2022 season and logistical challenges, the team withdrew before the start of 2023. Still, their one-year run remains a milestone — the moment the ELF stretched its map farther east than ever before.
Their time in the league was short-lived, but their message burned bright: American football truly belongs to all of Europe.
And here’s the updated franchise chronology, now including both the Helvetic Guards and their successor, the Helvetic Mercenaries:
