NLA Power Rankings after 2026 Season
- Kim Realini
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
1. Bern Grizzlies (Swiss Bowl Champs)
Undefeated champions! For the first time since 2022, the capital takes home the championship. After two rebuilding years in 2023 and 2024, Bern went all in this season, and it paid off. Nolan O‘Leary has been the best WR in the league alongside MVP frontrunner Angel “Money” Mata and veteran superstar QB Aaron Ellis. The defense is still elite, led by Tim Hänni, Dominik Liechti, and Andreas Buri.
2. Calanda Broncos (Vice Champs)
The European champions were unable to four-peat. They still achieved their main goal by winning the CEFL. They lost their star QB Robin Sennrich to a serious knee injury in the semifinal, which certainly did not help heading into the final. Even though they left it all out there, the Broncos came up short after a 14-3 loss.
3. Basel Gladiators (Semi Finalists)
The Gladiators jumped out to a quick 14-point lead in the semifinal against Bern but then fell apart. Basel lost its last three games of the season. They are still incredibly talented, with the likes of QB Sky Noble, WRs Sven Riepl, Leandro Bianchi, Joel Regenass, and CB Fabian Bruhin.
4. Winterthur Warriors (Semi Finalist)
Winterthur is back on the rise. New GM Pascal Hollenstein has done a tremendous job. Former Bronco Max Gray made an immediate impact, and young star QB Loris Lenzlinger, along with WRs Timo Hager and Ramon Angst, has a bright future ahead.
5. Geneva Seahawks
Geneva just missed the playoffs. A great team effort helped them make things interesting late in the season, led by star QB Clark Evans, RB Morgan Nkule, and ATH Benaya Alerini. They can definitely make the playoffs next year.
6. Thun Tigers +1
The only change in these power rankings: I have Thun jumping the Bears by one spot. They got Washington Commanders UDFA training camp invitee Bay Harvey back, and he and his WRs balled out against Basel, with WR Thomas Gfeller being the clear-cut favorite for Comeback Player of the Year.
7. St. Gallen Bears -1
The Bears were impressive in many games despite being in a rebuilding year, losing to Winterthur by a narrow margin twice. Kevin Gemperle is a top NLA WR, and their defense always plays physical and tough.
8. Zurich Renegades
Zurich needs to rebuild in the NLB. They have struggled ever since Armand Mensen and Clark Evans left. Unfortunately, Daniele Reich is a top-10 WR in the NLA, but he is also their best option at QB—and he can’t throw the ball to himself. I am a big fan of him and very high on Reich. Besides superstar WR Reich and veteran ATH Olivier Marty, there was a significant lack of talent, which resulted in the winless season. The Renegades are lucky they did not have to play a relegation game against NLB champions Langenthal.