First GNC Schedule Set: Canada to Visit Italy, Germany

The senior men’s national teams of Canada and Italy will meet again in 2025, in a high-profile matchup that marks the official debut of the Gridiron Nations Championship (GNC)—a new international competition created to relaunch tackle football on a global scale.

The game is scheduled for Sunday, November 9 at 3:00 PM CET, in the iconic setting of Milan’s historic Velodromo Vigorelli, and will serve as the first official fixture of the GNC. Following a friendly held last April in Cagliari, which ended in a decisive Canadian win, the two teams will meet again, this time with full rosters, competing for the first points valid for the GNC standings.

The schedule will continue with Canada facing Germany on November 16 at Lohrheidestadion – Wattenscheid in Bochum (Germany), with kickoff at 4:00 PM CET.

The Gridiron Nations Championship: A New Era for International Football

Launched in spring 2025 by the national federations of Canada, Germany, and Italy, the Gridiron Nations Championship (GNC) represents a turning point for international men’s tackle football. Inspired by established formats like rugby’s Six Nations, the GNC is organized in accordance with IFAF policies but independently governed by its participating nations.

Its goal is to provide a stable and recurring platform for high-level competition, with annual matchups featured on the international calendar. Although the first edition involves only three teams, the long-term ambition is to gradually expand to include additional competitive programs.

The GNC follows a round-robin format, with standings based on wins and losses, and point differential if needed. The goal is to build a strong foundation for a future invitation-only World Championship.

“These games are the foundation for establishing an annual, invitation-based world championship among nations for years to come,” said Jim Mullin, Chair of the GNC Commission. “It’s incredibly exciting to build a global platform alongside such committed and competitive partners as Canada, Germany, and Italy.”

“International matchups between national teams are essential to give American football the visibility it deserves outside the United States. Only through global competition can the sport truly grow—passionately, fairly, and at the highest level,” added Andreas Kelgemann, Vice President of the German Federation (AFVD).

Preview: Italy vs Canada

Team Canada running back Jamel Lyles led 'True North' on the ground in their convincing win in Cagliari in April.

“We welcomed this new challenge because we believe that facing some of the world’s most complete football programs can help grow and spread this beautiful sport,” said Fabio Tortosa, FIDAF Board Member and IFAF Competitions Director. “Creating a new international format dedicated to tackle football is, in my opinion, a winning idea.”

“After the friendly in Sardinia, Italy expressed a desire to repeat the experience—this time with its full National Team, free from the obligations of the domestic league,” said Jesse Maddox, Head Coach and General Manager of Team Canada. “For us, this is a key test. Our players know this championship isn’t about a single win: it’s about consistency, focus, and growth—with our sights set on the November 16 match in Bochum.”

GNC 2025 Schedule

Date	Match	Location	Status
Oct 25–28	Italy & Germany	Krefeld & Düsseldorf, GER	IFAF European Final Four
Nov 9	🇮🇹 Italy vs. 🇨🇦 Canada	Milan, ITA	GNC Official Fixture
Nov 16	🇩🇪 Germany vs. 🇨🇦 Canada	Bochum, GER	GNC Official Fixture

Note: If Germany and Italy face each other during the IFAF European Final Four medal round, that game will count toward the GNC standings. Otherwise, the team with the better record in that tournament will be awarded a win. In case of a tie, average point differential against common opponents will be used as a tiebreaker.

Game Details

Match: Italy vs. Canada (Official GNC Fixture) 

Date: Sunday, November 9, 2025 

Kickoff: 3:00 PM CET 

Venue: Velodromo Vigorelli, Milan 

Broadcast: Live stream on IFAF.TV

Velodromo Vigorelli: A Temple of Sport

Velodromo Vigorelli shortly after the 2021 renovation. It is one of the top gridiron facilities in Europe.

Built in the 1930s and recently restored, the Velodromo Vigorelli is one of Milan’s most iconic sports venues. Renowned for both its cycling heritage and its history of hosting major American football events, the stadium now stands as a symbol of Italy’s growing commitment to promoting international football.

Tickets and Broadcast

Tickets for the game will be available soon on TicketOne and through local Milan partners. The match will be streamed live worldwide on the IFAF.TV platform.

The GNC: Mission and Vision

The Gridiron Nations Championship (GNC) is an elite, invitation-based world tackle football competition launched in 2025 by the national teams of Canada, Germany, and Italy. While operating within the IFAF regulatory framework, the GNC is independently managed by its founding federations. With regular, high-level international matchups, the GNC provides a reliable platform for the global growth of Tackle football—promoting values of commitment, responsibility, and national pride.