RAMS CONFIRMED FOR AFLE
Another piece of the European American football puzzle slotted into place Wednesday (17th December) as the nascent Alpine Rams franchise was added to the American Football League Europe roster.
The latest addition fulfills the new league’s promise of a Swiss team in its ranks, with the Rams joining the already-confirmed — and well-established — Rhein Fire, Wroclaw Panthers and Berlin Thunder on the entry for 2026. The Vienna Vikings — whose owner, Robin Lumsden, is seen as a driving force behind the AFLE — are yet to be officially confirmed, but were expected to be next up as the league cycled through announcements alphabetically by team nickname. The AFLE has also claimed to have franchises lined up in the UK and Italy, as well as Monaco, where former San Francisco 49ers and Rhein Fire head coach Jim Tomsula is rumoured to have tabbed for the top job.
“Stepping onto a bigger stage takes courage,” a brief Instagram post by the AFLE said, announcing the Rams’ arrival. “A new level, new challenges and a lot of belief in the people behind this team. That’s what this step is about. Welcome to The League, Alpine Rams. We’re glad you’re taking this step with us.”
Despite not being born from the ashes of fellow Swiss outfit Helvetic Mercenaries — are are proving they are alive and kicking ahead of a return to the rival European League of Football next season — the Rams have much Helvetic blood in their veins having been formed on the back of Olly Maison finance that was originally headed to the Mercenaries and with former Helvetic GM/HC Joshua Fitzgerald at the coaching helm.
The Rams have also confirmed the Tissot Arena in Biel/Bienne, on the Swiss-German border, as their home for 2026. Although small in capacity, at just over 5,000, the football stadium is part of an altogether larger venue, with an ice hockey and curling arena all under the same roof — with a full commercial centre located on ground floor. That same roof is also home to 8,000 solar panels, making it the ‘world’s largest sport solar power plant’, with enough output to supply 500 households.
“Securing the Tissot Arena for the Alpine Rams is a major step for our franchise,” sports director Joe Colic commented. “This venue gives us the infrastructure we need to grow, compete, and build something lasting in Switzerland.”
The ‘Race to Reality’ between the AFLE and ELF now stands all square at four teams apiece, but further announcements are expected, on both sides, in the coming days.