Dutch league set to play an eight team schedule for 2021-22

AFI | American Football | 08/25/2021

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic

The American Football Federation of the Netherlands, AFBN, has apparently planned a return to play for the top division, AFBN Eredivisie for the first time since February 2020.

The Eredivisie managed to play a total of six games in early 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic forced a shut down of all activities. The federation then announced a 2020-2021 fall/spring schedule before that too had to be scuttled due to the coronavirus.

According to Gridiron NL, eight teams will compete in a two-part season. The first part will kick off on October 3 and run until November 21. The league will resume on February 27, 2022, with Tulip Bowl XXXVI scheduled for July 3, 2022.

The defending champion (2019) Amsterdam Crusaders will compete with the Arnhem Falcons, Groningen Giants, Amsterdam Panthers, 010 Trojans, Flevo Phantoms, Hilversum Hurricanes, and Lelystad Commanders.

The eight teams are divided into two groups. The teams will play home and away games in their own group and also play one game against the teams from the other group.