It has been kinda royal
For a brief, electric moment, Leipzig was royal.
When the Leipzig Kings joined the European League of Football in 2021, they carried swagger, gold, and the promise of something big. The name alone felt like destiny — Kings.
They had a fierce look, a passionate fanbase, and that underdog energy that made you believe a new powerhouse was being born in the heart of Saxony.
But in football, even crowns can crack.
Teams for 2024 at this point
- Berlin Thunder (Berlin)
- Hamburg Sea Devils (Hamburg)
- 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)
- Milano Seamen
- Helvetic Guards
- Fehervar Enthroners
- Munich Ravens
- Paris Musketeers
- Madrid Bravos
A Promising Start
The Kings’ first season showed flashes of brilliance — big plays, loud crowds, and a brand that popped off screens. Their black-and-gold armor stood out in a league still finding its identity.
They weren’t just another franchise; they were a statement: football lives in Eastern Germany, too.
But behind the helmets and hype, the castle walls were thin. Money was tight, infrastructure stretched, and success in Europe’s first pro football league came with a heavy price tag.
From Royal Dreams to Empty Thrones
By mid-2023, the fairy tale began to crumble.
Rumors turned into whispers, whispers into headlines: unpaid bills, strained logistics, a team fighting battles off the field instead of on it.
On July 12, 2023, the ELF made it official — the Kings’ license was revoked. Just like that, the crown slipped, and one of the league’s most exciting franchises became its first fallen monarch.
The players scattered, the fans were left heartbroken, and the throne of Leipzig stood empty.
Legacy of the Fallen Kings
It’s easy to focus on the collapse, but the Kings were pioneers. They brought top-tier football east of Berlin, gave fans something to believe in, and proved that passion doesn’t care about budgets or borders.
Their story is a warning and a tribute — that ambition burns bright, but without solid foundations, even the strongest crowns eventually melt.
So here’s to the Kings — gone too soon, but never forgotten.
Every league needs its heroes… and its heartbreaks.
