After IFAF Europe Competition Committee set the European Championship 2016 Qualifying Tournaments system, where the national teams are divided in 2 tournaments, with 2 scheduled matches for each national team – semifinal and placement games, hosting rights were awarded to FIDAF (Italy) and BAFA (Great Britain).
Italy is hosting one of the qualifying tournaments, which will take place in the city of Lignano Sabbiadoro. Qualifiers will be played at a stadium with natural grass, that seats 5,000 spectators.
First day of competition is Friday, 2 September 2016 matching Italy – Israel and Serbia – Switzerland.
Third place game and the finals are on Sunday, 4 September 2016.
The other qualifying tournament is hosted by Great Britain in London, at the Allianz Park stadium with 10.000 seats.
First day of competition is Friday, 16 September 2016 with games Great Britain – Russia and Czechia – Netherlands.
Third place game and the finals are on Sunday, 18 September 2016.
– We would like to thank both FIDAF and BAFA not only for their willingness to be the hosts of such important football events, but also for their effort to find the good stadiums and cities which suit all the participating nations. We will work together with both national associations in order to make these memorable tournaments not only for participating teams, but also for the large number of fans that will be present. I would like to invite all the fans across Europe to book these two weekends in their calendars and to come to Lignano and London to support the teams, the hosts, and American football in Europe. – says Goran Nisavic, IFAF Europe Chairman.
The winners of each qualifying tournament will advance to the European Championship 2017 qualifying round to play Sweden and Denmark for the two spots in the European Championship 2018 final tournament.