American football is expanding in Asia with countries like China and Japan developing league structures. The Asia-Pacific Football League (APFL) began in 2016, uniting regional teams. IFAF Asia has nine members and oversees annual competitions. While the NFL remains dominant, local leagues like the CNFL gain traction, especially in China. Japan has a long history with the sport, reflected in JAFA’s leagues and changing tournament formats. Despite challenges, the growing interest hints at a potential revolution in Asian sports culture.
American football is gaining traction in Asia, disproving the notion that it is exclusively a North American sport. In recent years, countries like China, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, New Zealand, and Australia have established their own leagues, culminating in the formation of the Asia-Pacific Football League (APFL) in 2016. This league showcases emerging talent and expands the sport’s reach throughout the region.
The International Federation of American Football Asia (IFAF Asia) currently includes nine member nations participating in the APFL, where teams compete annually. The league operates over 13 weeks, with teams facing each other once, resulting in each playing 11 games. The playoffs follow, culminating in the Asian Bowl, where the champions of the North and South divisions vie for the title, leading to a matchup against the European champion in the Eurasia Bowl.
Despite the NFL’s dominance in Asia, interest in American football is rapidly growing, particularly in countries like China and Japan. The sport’s physicality resonates well, especially considering the popularity of martial arts in those regions. Fans are enthusiastic, following U.S. teams fervently, even tuning in during early morning hours to catch games.
Japan, while still favoring soccer, has a rich history with American football, starting with the Japanese American Football Association (JAFA) in 1934. JAFA features three tiers: high school, collegiate, and corporate leagues, showcasing over 390 teams. Although the historic Rice Bowl game has shifted to the Japan Championship Rice Bowl, this change reflects the competitive disparity between college teams and the XLeague champions in recent years.
In contrast, China has seen a rise in popularity for its domestic league, the Chinese National Football League (CNFL), founded in 2013. With over 100 teams spread across four divisions, the CNFL outshines the NFL in national viewership. The Hangzou Smilodons, current champions, recently won their first title, illustrating the league’s increasing prestige and public interest around events such as the Super Bowl, garnering millions of viewers.
South Korea is keen to promote American football but has faced challenges in establishing a large fanbase for its league. Nevertheless, they continue to be competitive on the international stage, evidenced by their current APFL title. While the sport’s growth in Asia remains slow, particularly among countries still enamored with soccer, China’s influence suggests an impending shift that could enhance American football’s standing across the continent.
Original Source: www.americanfootballinternational.com
