American football came to Finland in the late 1970’s by way of exchange students who returned home from
American high schools. The first game was played between two high schools in 1976. After a few years of
irregular high school games and friendly competitions against teams made up of US Embassy Marine Corps, the
first unofficial National Championship was played in 1979. Later that year, the American Football Association of
Finland was founded and the game started to become a club sport activity instead of a school sport. Football grew
fast in late 80’s and early 90’s. Licenced player numbers grew to 2500 and top games attracted 5000 spectators
or more. The Association had its own weekly TV-show during the season and general interest towards the sport
was big. The early 90’s economic recession however took its toll on football, as a result, the numbers decreased
to around 800 licensed players in 1998. Since then, the sport has again been on a steady rise increasing player
participation by 50 percent, team numbers by 100% and number of active clubs by 75%. Since the early days the
association has added a national team, youth tackle and flag programs as well as a women’s flag league to its
competitions and is currently focusing heavily on increasing the youth (boys and girls) participation numbers to
promote the game in Finland.
The senior league was played in 1980 and the equipment came mandatory at that point as well. The National
Champion is determined in the Maple Bowl and the highest league is called the Maple League. The Finish elite
has been the Helsinki Roosters with 13 National Championships as of 2008. The Finnish senior leagues have
grown and has 25 teams playing in three levels. Teams can move both up or down through promotion and
relegation games. Currently 9 teams play in the Maple League, 8 teams in 1-division and 6 teams in 2-division.
Games are played with IFAF rules that are almost the same as NCAA rules with few exceptions. Quarter length
however is 12 minutes. Final and play-off games are televised but the general interest towards football, though
currently growing, remain moderate as top games attract little over one thousand spectators. The leagues clubs
are non-profit organizations and participating players are not professional players. Club teams also participate in
European Football League with top clubs teams across Europe. Top players are also playing other European
domestic leagues (Italy, Spain, Sweden and Germany especially) and some have departed from youth teams to
US universities for example offensive line players Seppo Evwaraye (University of Nebraska) later with the
Minnesota Vikings and defensive tackle Michael Quarshie (University of Columbia) later with the Oakland Raiders.
From senior teams top players have played in former NFL-Europe league, where tight ends Klaus Alinen bounced
to the Atlanta Falcons organization and Iiro Luoto to the New York Jets.
American high schools. The first game was played between two high schools in 1976. After a few years of
irregular high school games and friendly competitions against teams made up of US Embassy Marine Corps, the
first unofficial National Championship was played in 1979. Later that year, the American Football Association of
Finland was founded and the game started to become a club sport activity instead of a school sport. Football grew
fast in late 80’s and early 90’s. Licenced player numbers grew to 2500 and top games attracted 5000 spectators
or more. The Association had its own weekly TV-show during the season and general interest towards the sport
was big. The early 90’s economic recession however took its toll on football, as a result, the numbers decreased
to around 800 licensed players in 1998. Since then, the sport has again been on a steady rise increasing player
participation by 50 percent, team numbers by 100% and number of active clubs by 75%. Since the early days the
association has added a national team, youth tackle and flag programs as well as a women’s flag league to its
competitions and is currently focusing heavily on increasing the youth (boys and girls) participation numbers to
promote the game in Finland.
The senior league was played in 1980 and the equipment came mandatory at that point as well. The National
Champion is determined in the Maple Bowl and the highest league is called the Maple League. The Finish elite
has been the Helsinki Roosters with 13 National Championships as of 2008. The Finnish senior leagues have
grown and has 25 teams playing in three levels. Teams can move both up or down through promotion and
relegation games. Currently 9 teams play in the Maple League, 8 teams in 1-division and 6 teams in 2-division.
Games are played with IFAF rules that are almost the same as NCAA rules with few exceptions. Quarter length
however is 12 minutes. Final and play-off games are televised but the general interest towards football, though
currently growing, remain moderate as top games attract little over one thousand spectators. The leagues clubs
are non-profit organizations and participating players are not professional players. Club teams also participate in
European Football League with top clubs teams across Europe. Top players are also playing other European
domestic leagues (Italy, Spain, Sweden and Germany especially) and some have departed from youth teams to
US universities for example offensive line players Seppo Evwaraye (University of Nebraska) later with the
Minnesota Vikings and defensive tackle Michael Quarshie (University of Columbia) later with the Oakland Raiders.
From senior teams top players have played in former NFL-Europe league, where tight ends Klaus Alinen bounced
to the Atlanta Falcons organization and Iiro Luoto to the New York Jets.
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