European League of Football sets new milestone: 15,000 tickets sold for Championship Game on September 22, 2024, at VELTINS Arena
A new milestone has been set in the history of European American football as a total of 15,000 tickets have already been sold for the 2024 European League of Football Championship Game on September 22, 2024, in the VELTINS Arena in Gelsenkirchen.
The stadium, home of the FC Schalke 04 soccer club, has a capacity of 62,271 (standing and seated) for league soccer matches and 54,740 (seated only) for international matches
The 2023 final between Rhein Fire and Stuttgart Surge in Duisburg was watched by 31,500 fans, and the Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena was completely sold out.
“We are overwhelmed by this response from the football family, and it makes us proud that the European League of Football is generating such enthusiasm and euphoria. It was the goal from the very beginning to bring this great sport to the big stadiums – because that’s where it belongs. With the Championship Game 2024 in the VELTINS Arena, we want to fulfill our dream of hosting the best-attended game in the history of American football in Europe. Up to this point, we are on the right track,” says Zeljko Karajica, CEO of the continental league.
To break the previous record, more than 48,125 spectators would have to attend the game on September 22. That record was set at NFL Europe’s championship final in 2007 between the Frankfurt Galaxy and the Hamburg Sea Devils. The new Sea Devils set the ELF attendance record in June 2023 when 32,500 fans came to the game against the Rhein Fire at the Volksparkstadium.
“I still get goose bumps when I think about the games in Hamburg and Duisburg. Those were red-letter days for European football, with outstanding sport on the field and a sensational atmosphere in the stands. Together with the football community, we are convinced that we will surpass these games next year in Gelsenkirchen. It’s an event that no fan of the best sport in the world should miss at the VELTINS Arena,” said Patrick Esume, Commissioner of the ELF.
Which team will join the Frankfurt Galaxy (2021 in Düsseldorf), Vienna Vikings (2022 in Klagenfurt) and Rhein Fire (2023 in Duisburg) as ELF champions? That’s tough to predict at this stage of the season. However, starting in June 2024, a total of 17 teams from nine nations will compete for the title: the Berlin Thunder, Cologne Centurions, Frankfurt Galaxy, Hamburg Sea Devils, Munich Ravens, Rhein Fire, Stuttgart Surge (Germany), Barcelona Dragons, Madrid Bravos (Spain), Fehérvár Enthroners (Hungary), Helvetic Guards (Switzerland),Milano Seamen (Italy),Wrocław Panthers (Poland), Paris Musketeers (France),Prague Lions(Czech Republic), Raiders Tirol and Vienna Vikings (Austria).
