With the Italian Bowl 2026—the 45th edition in Italian football history—just a week away, it is time to present awards to the top players of the season that is now drawing to a close. Ahead of the grand finale, the Italian editorial team at First Down Magazine is announcing its picks for the season's top players in Italian Football’s Top tier. The categories are: MVP (Most Valuable Player) OPOY (Offensive Player of the Year) DPOY (Defensive Player of the Year) MIP (Most Imp

The Italian Football League kicked off its season finale with the playoffs, the final step toward the Italian Bowl in early July. Six teams are taking to the field this hot June on the Road to Ferrara, which will determine the Italian American Football champion for the 2026 season. Four of these teams — Giaguari Torino, Dolphins Ancona, Frogs Legnano, and Aquile Ferrara — with Guelfi Firenze and Panthers Parma also looking ahead to next week's semifinals, took to the field

Italian football isn't just about the Italian Football League. The two lower divisions have provided just as much entertainment and plenty of surprises in the three months of the regular season just concluded. Between the movement's fallen nobles, developing local projects, and countless hidden talents, the two leagues have kept pace with the main league, successfully providing thrills to both insiders and fans across the country. In this article, we explore the journeys of

1. Guelfi Firenze Another great victory for Guelfi Firenze, this time at the home of a direct rival, Frogs Legnano, mathematically securing first place in the playoff standings. The 48-24 final score was perhaps predicted by some, but even against the big teams, the Tuscans are prepared, and now they can dream big. After the match against the Warriors Bologna the following weekend, thoughts turn to a season finale that could bring not one, but two major trophies. In fact,

1. Guelfi Firenze The Guelfi continued their winning streak with a crucial 42-7 home win over the Lazio Marines. The Tuscans have gone eighteen consecutive games without defeat between the Regular Season and the Playoffs since last year in the Italian Football League. The game was settled in the first half for the league leaders, who, with their 6-0 record, officially qualified for the playoff semifinals. For them, the only thing left to do is decide whether they will finis

1. Guelfi Firenze Even in a remake of the last Italian Bowl, Guelfi managed to take control, winning 51-17 against Dolphins Ancona. The tie lasted only one quarter, the first, which ended 14-14, before the Viola began to put the fifth quarter into effect, matching their winning streak this year. A win against Lazio Marines next week could secure direct qualification to the semifinals, a step closer for the league's top favorite. However, the threat of too many matches in a

1. Guelfi Firenze Despite the Bye Week, the Guelfi still won in Week 8. The Frogs Legnano's loss at the Dolphins Ancona allows the Tuscans to remain alone at the top of the Italian Football League standings, undefeated. The next match will be against the Dorics, who are coming off three consecutive wins and are currently among the hottest teams in the IFL. While the goal in Italy will be to defend first place, the European plans have become clearer this weekend. In fact, the

1. Guelfi Firenze Guelfi Firenze's journey toward a back-to-back title continues in Ferrara with yet another strong performance from Coach Fabrizio Bocci's team. The Tuscans defeated Aquile Ferrara on the road 40-12, putting their purple Ferrari in fourth gear as they race toward the Italian Bowl and, perhaps, something more important. Meanwhile, four wins in as many games allow the Florentines to once again achieve their playoff goal and dream of another title that would c

With the Easter holidays already upon us, the IFL is taking a general Bye Week before resuming full steam ahead until the end of May with the Regular Season. In this special edition of the Power Ranking, in addition to the usual commentary on the league games—only one this weekend—there's also a rating for the teams based on their performances this season. 1. Guelfi Firenze (A) There's no getting around it. Guelfi Firenze's season start, undefeated in 14 consecutive game

This fifth issue of our monthly magazine dedicated to Italian football has a lot on the table, from the National Tackle team's final match of the calendar year to the presentation of the new Italian Football League. There's a lot of news to report, especially regarding the IFL sidelines, with both confirmed players and new arrivals. Italy loses against Canada in Milan, losing the first Gridiron Nations Championship On November 9th, Italy and Canada took to the field at the

After two years, the European Championship comes to a close with the first ever Final Four in Germany. The home team, after ten years, will host a huge event in continental Tackle Football, coming back after a ban arrived as a result of problems with the old IFAF management. They will face Austria, the defending champions and the favourites to win it all. In the other semifinal, Finland, the National Team with more continental wins than any other country, will face Italy, c

Flag football, a non-contact version of American football, has seen significant growth in Italy, from its early grassroots phase in the late

The upcoming Wild Card match on Saturday, 8th, between Parma Panthers and Frogs Legnano, we are about to Break Down and Preview.