American Football League Europe to Celebrate Its Inaugural Season at the AFLE Honors Ahead of the AFLE Gold Bowl 2026
The American Football League Europe (AFLE) will honor the players and coaches of its eight founding franchises, representing seven countries across Europe, at the AFLE Honors, taking place on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the business area of the Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena. Held on the eve of the AFLE Gold Bowl, the evening brings the league together for a Golden Night dedicated to the athletes and coaches who defined its inaugural season, before the AFLE crowns its first-ever champions the following day.
A Night to Honor the League’s Best
Awards will be presented across eleven categories, celebrating standout performances on both sides of the ball and beyond: Most Valuable Player (MVP), Offensive Player of the Year (OPOY), Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY), Youngster of the Year (YOY), Most Improved Offensive Player of the Year (MIOP), Most Improved Defensive Player of the Year (MIDP), Homegrown of the Year (HOY), Offensive Lineman of the Year (OLOY), Special Teams Player of the Year (STPY), Assistant Coach of the Year (ACOY), and Coach of the Year (COY).
Winners are determined by a vote spanning media representatives, head coaches, team captains, and AFLE officials, ensuring that each award reflects a broad and informed view of the season from every angle.
Citizen to Present the League’s Award-Winning Timepieces
Each category winner at the AFLE Honors will be presented with a watch from Citizen, individually selected for the occasion by the brand’s own experts based on their expertise. The timepieces give the league’s inaugural award winners a lasting keepsake to mark the achievements of the season, alongside the honor of the award itself.
A Golden Night for the League’s Best
Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with the ceremony beginning at 7:00 p.m. The AFLE Honors will welcome up to 500 guests in the business area of the Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena, with tickets priced at EUR 10.00.
Andreas Nommensen, Commissioner of the AFLE, said: “Credit belongs where credit is due, and the AFLE Honors are our way of making sure it gets there. Performances like the ones we’ve seen this season deserve to be recognized properly, not just with a trophy but with a Golden Night built entirely around celebrating them. Having a partner like Citizen help us send our winners home with something they’ll keep for years makes the evening even more special.”
Karsten Isermann, Sales Director of Citizen added, “Our long-standing connection with European football has shown us the importance of tactical sophistication, the highest level of precision, and perfect timing in this dynamic sport. These are precisely the qualities that also define watchmaking and Citizen. That is why we are proud to honor the outstanding players and coaches of the American Football League Europe at the AFLE Honors.”
