The IFAF Men’s European Championships 2026/27 kicks off this weekend when reigning champion Austria welcomes newcomer Belgium to the American Footballzentrum in Salzburg, kickoff 1pm CET on Sunday, October 4.
The latest cycle of games in the prestigious tournament that began in 1983 features 11 teams competing at Level 1 for the coveted crown with three additional teams competing at Level 2. Belgium is one of four nations entering IFAF international competition for the first time alongside Poland, Georgia and a Great Britain development squad, while Spain returns for the first time since 2008.
Austria’s first-ever meeting with Belgium begins an exciting string of games on four back-to-back weekends in October. Each group will play a round robin competition with one game at home and one on the road. The winners will advance to the semifinal stages in August 2027 to play for the right to contest the IFAF European Championship in October of next year.
October 4: Austria vs Belgium
Austria were the 2023 and 2025 champions and last year beat Serbia and Hungary in the group stages without conceding a touchdown. Austria then beat Germany 30-9 in the IFAF Final Four semifinals before firing 27 unanswered points past Finland in the gold medal game.
“We want to come together as a team in this new line-up,” says Austria head coach Stefan Pokorny who is making his debut in charge of the champions. “We’ve had a great first camp, and now we have a few more days to prepare specifically for Belgium. We’re looking forward to our first real test and want to put on a great show for our fans in Salzburg.”
During the past three years Belgium has rebuilt its national team with the objective of giving its players the opportunity to represent their country at the highest level.
“We know the challenge will be huge, but that is exactly what we are looking for,” says the Barbarians head coach Cyrille Bouron. “This will be my first experience at this level of competition, but above all it is an incredible source of pride to represent Belgium, our players, and all the clubs that contribute to the development of American football in our country.
“We want to play against the best teams to find out where we stand, measure how far we still have to go, and continue raising the level of Belgian football. We are not here simply to participate, we are here to learn, to compete, to fight, and to represent our colors with pride.”
Two weeks later Belgium will travel to Ankara to take on Türkiye who then head to Vienna on October 27 to face Austria.
IFAF Men’s European Championships Level 1
Group A: Austria, Türkiye, Belgium
Group B: Finland, Great Britain
Group C: Italy, Hungary, Poland
Group D: Czechia, Denmark, Switzerland
Schedule
Sunday, October 4
Group A: Austria vs Belgium, American Footballzentrum, Salzburg, 1pm CET
Saturday, October 10
Group C: Poland vs Italy, Olympic Stadium, Wroclaw, 2pm CET
Group D: Switzerland vs. Czechia, Stadion Obere Au, Chur, 6pm CET
Saturday, October 17
Group A: Türkiye vs Belgium, Hasan Doğan Stadyumu, Ankara, 3pm local time (2pm CET)
Group C: Hungary vs Poland , Budapest Rugby Centre, 2pm CET
Group D: Denmark vs Switzerland, Vejle Stadium, 2pm CET
Saturday, October 24
Group B: Finland vs Great Britain, MUP Stadion, Vantaa, 2pm local time (1pm CET)
Group C: Italy vs Hungary, Vigorelli Stadium, Milan, 6pm CET
Group D: Czechia vs Denmark, Spartak Prerov, 1pm CET
Sunday, October 25
Group A: Austria vs Türkiye, Wiener Sport Club Stadion, Vienna, 1pm CET
IFAF Men’s European Championships Level 2
Georgia, Spain, Great Britain Development Team
Schedule
Sunday, October 11
Georgia vs Great Britain Development Team, Mukhianis Rugby Complex, Tiblisi, 6pm local time (4pm CET)
Sunday, October 18
Great Britain Development Team vs Spain, Nick Newbold Stadium, Coventry, 12pm local time (1pm CET)
Saturday, October 24
Spain vs Georgia, Municipal Football Field, Jaca, 5pm CET
2027
IFAF Men’s European Championships Level 1
August 7/8
Semifinals in all groups
October 23/24
Finals / placement games in all groups
IFAF Men’s European Championships Level 2
October 9/10
Great Britain Development Team vs Georgia
October 16/17
Spain vs Great Britain Development Team
October 23/24
Georgia vs Spain
Photo: AFBOE
