The 2025 ERIMA German Football League season enters Week 3 with four teams set to host their first home games of the season, headlined by the Dresden Monarchs’ marquee Sparkassen Gameday at Rudolf Harbig Stadium, where a new attendance record could be set. As playoff aspirations and survival hopes take shape, pivotal clashes across the league promise drama.
Dresden Monarchs vs Berlin Rebels (Sunday, 3:00 PM)
The Dresden Monarchs, fresh off two road wins, return to their storied Rudolf Harbig Stadium aiming to break their 13,000-attendance benchmark. Historically, high crowds have been a double-edged sword: the Monarchs hold a 7-7 home record since 2011, losing six of eight games with record attendance. Last year’s 21-7 win over Braunschweig broke the “curse,” but a 2023 loss to these same Berlin Rebels lingers. Berlin, revitalized after a 20-0 loss to champions Potsdam Royals and a Week 1 rout of Paderborn Dolphins, seeks to prove their 2024 struggles are behind them.
Düsseldorf Panther vs Kiel Baltic Hurricanes (Saturday, 4:00 PM)
The newly promoted Düsseldorf Panther, galvanized by a narrow loss to Braunschweig, host the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes, who endured brutal opening losses to Potsdam and Dresden. This clash offers both teams a chance to stake an early claim for survival, with Düsseldorf’s resilient defense likely testing Kiel’s rebuilt offense.
Ravensburg Razorbacks vs Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns (Saturday, 5:00 PM)
The Ravensburg Razorbacks, unbeaten at home in 2024, debut at Linde Stadium after a 41-7 preseason loss to the NCAA Div.3 school, the Mühlenberg Mules. Facing the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns, last year’s runners-up, Ravensburg leans on dual-threat QB Broghean McGovern and RB Lennies McFerren. The Unicorns, stunned by newly-promoted Pforzheim in Week 1, aim to recalibrate their defense against Ravensburg’s ground-heavy attack.
Potsdam Royals vs Paderborn Dolphins (Saturday, 5:00 PM)
The reigning champion Potsdam Royals, dominant in their 20-0 Week 1 win over Berlin, face overmatched Paderborn Dolphins. Paderborn, yet to score this season, faces a near-impossible task against Potsdam’s suffocating defense.
Allgäu Comets vs Saarland Hurricanes (Sunday, 3:00 PM)
The Comets, regrouping after a Week 1 loss, host the injury-plagued Saarland Hurricanes. Saarland lost QB Jacob Parks and WR Spencer Corona to injuries in their defeat to Pforzheim, weakening their aerial threat. Allgäu, with extra preparation time, looks to exploit Saarland’s depleted roster for their first GFL win.
Pforzheim Wilddogs vs Straubing Spiders (Sunday, 3:00 PM)
Pforzheim, riding high after upsetting Schwäbisch Hall, faces the Straubing Spiders without WR Felix Dorn (season-ending ACL tear). Both teams favor run-heavy schemes and short passes, setting up a grind-it-out battle. Straubing’s Week 2 collapse against Hildesheim exposed late-game vulnerabilities, while Pforzheim’s momentum could propel them toward mid-table safety.
Week 3 stakes
From Dresden’s record chase to Düsseldorf and Kiel’s survival duel, Week 3 could reshape the GFL landscape. The Monarchs’ clash with Berlin tests their championship credentials, while Ravensburg-Schwäbisch Hall pits tactical grit against redemption hunger. With promotion pride and playoff dreams on the line, Germany’s gridiron stage is set for fireworks.