When thinking about Central Europe, American football is probably not the first sport that comes to your mind. However, in Slovakia, the sport has carved out a place for itself since the 1990s, driven by passionate clubs and a committed community of players and members. The Bratislava Monarchs are the perfect example of this—the most decorated team in the country, striving each year to elevate the sport’s profile.
The Bratislava Monarchs: A Team on a Mission
I arrived in Slovakia in 2021 for work and quickly decided to join the capital’s American football team, the Bratislava Monarchs. After two years of training in France before Covid (shoutout to the Minotaur of Strasbourg!), it was time to take the next step and compete in an official league.
Once a dominant force in both the local Slovak league and in Austrian and Hungarian competitions, the Monarchs were coming out of a challenging period due to the pandemic. Now in full rebuilding mode, the club is determined to reclaim its status as the go-to team for ambitious Slovak players.
Championship and Competition Level
Now officially known as the St. Nicolaus Monarchs (thanks to sponsoring), the team has set its sights on success in the Czech League (CAAF, the Czech Federation), where it competes in the first division, which remains an amateur level close to semi-professional. The main goal: finally making the playoffs (and who knows, maybe even further) after three unsuccessful attempts.
2025 will mark the 30th anniversary of the club, and securing a playoff spot—or better—would be the perfect way to celebrate this milestone.
But you might be wondering:
“Why does the team play in a foreign league?”
Quite simply, because very few Slovak teams have a roster deep and competitive enough to sustain a full-fledged national championship. There is a significant gap between the country’s two top teams (Bratislava and Nitra) and the rest of the field.
A Brief History of the Monarchs
Founded in 1995
Competed in the early Slovak championships
Champions in Slovakia (SFL), Austria (AFL), Hungary (HFL)
SFL : 
2011 & 2012 + Slovak Bowl : 2015, 2017 & 2019
Flag U19 : 2017 – U15 : 2023
AFL Division 1 : 2017 – (Accession to the Austrian elite 2018) – 
2019 
HFL : 2015 
IFAF CEI : 2013 – 2012
ČAAF : 2006 – U18 : 2023 – ČJLAF : 2003 & 2007
A strong winning tradition, with ambitions to add even more silverware in the coming decade.
A Season with the Monarchs: A Mix of Discipline and Intensity
A year of American football is much more than just game days. From preseason to playoffs, every step requires commitment and discipline.
Preseason: Laying the Foundation
It all starts in the fall with tryouts, where new players test their skills and attempt to earn a spot on the team. Since American football is still a developing sport in Europe, clubs must constantly recruit and train new talent while integrating them into the roster. We look for every profile, from the tiny 1m65-70 to the colossus of 1m90-2m and 130kg. We need everyone for different tasks and positions. Achieving results with such a wide variety of profiles, getting them to work together towards a common goal, and achieving it, is hugely satisfying.
By January, the real work begins. A 3 to 4-month intensive training period kicks off, preparing the team for the first game in late March or early April. This period may seem long before finally playing official games, but it’s crucial for:
Mastering offensive and defensive playbooks
Integrating new players (usually 5-10 per season) into the system
Building physical and mental resilience for the season
Every position has its own specific demands. As a wide receiver, my job is to catch passes, block for the running game, and help the offense to move forward. However, in American football, you spend more time learning and analyzing than actually playing—the playbooks are complex and require significant off-field study. This comes with reviewing the actual playbook and videos of our practice regularly, adjusting your execution and your understanding of the plays and the strategy to be ONE of all 11 players on the field to be in sync.
The game plan adapts to the team’s strengths (speedsters, heavy hitters, technical players, or the crazy ones who just sprint straight ahead 😛 ) and to the opposing team’s style (more physical vs. technical, run-heavy vs. pass-heavy, etc.).
No need to dive too deep here—if you want to learn more about football strategies, Wikipedia does a great job. But if you have specific questions, drop them in the comments, and I’ll be happy to answer!
Game Day: Intensity and Adrenaline
After months of preparation, the regular season begins! A typical year includes around ten games, with one or two additional playoff games if the team qualifies.
What does a gameday look like :
Arrival 4 hours before kickoff : Strategy meetings, game plan finalization, taping up, and warm-ups
Travel for away games : Between 1 to 5 hours by bus, depending on the opponent
Game duration : About 2 hours (four 12-minute quarters, with frequent stoppages)
Objective : The offense aims to move the ball and score (Touchdown = 6 points +1 or 2 extra points, Field Goal = 3 points), while the defense works to stop the opposing team
Everything is highly organized: teams have separate offensive and defensive squads, totaling 30 to 45 players, each with a specific role. Communication between coaches and team captains is crucial for making in-game adjustments, allowing players to focus on executing their tasks precisely.
Want a better idea of the action? Check out some highlights from our games on YouTube—the footage speaks for itself:
Defense: Power, Reading and Mind of Steel
Offense: Execution, Intelligence, Explosiveness
The Fans and Club Culture: A Growing Passion
A team is more than just its players—it’s also a community. Over the years, the Monarchs have built a loyal fanbase, with 400-500 spectators at home games.
At matches, fans can grab food and drinks, listen to live commentary, enjoy a DJ set during breaks, and even watch entertainment like cheerleading performances, interviews, or fun on-field games.
One of the season’s biggest highlights is the derby against the Nitra Knights, the defending champions and the only other Slovak team in the Czech League. With nearly 1,000 fans in attendance at their new stadium, it’s THE match not to miss.
Monarchs have a historical long time lead in opposing confrontations but nowadays roles are reversed and we aim to get our throne back as the best team in Slovakia.
Beyond the Field: A True Club Life
The Monarchs’ community extends beyond game days, with several off-field events :
Meet the Monarchs : A new event bringing players and fans together, giving opportunities to chat with club representatives, American soccer activities, refreshments and fast food.
Ples Panovníkov : a Bi-annual formal gala with dinner with good food, nice decorations, a DJ and a Hall of Fame induction ceremony
Active social media presence to follow for regular behind-the-scenes content
A Demanding but Passionate Sport
American football is far more than just a contact sport, especially in Central Europe. It requires:
👉 Extreme discipline and a rigorous training regimen
👉 Physical toughness to absorb hits and develop explosiveness
👉 Mental sharpness to quickly read and react to complex plays under pressure and adversity
It’s a sport that builds character, challenges you individually, and teaches you the importance of teamwork.
What’s Next? 2025 Goals and Supporters Call to Action
2025 will be a crucial year for the St. Nicolaus Monarchs. With 30 years of history, the time has come to make this season one to remember and finally secure a playoff spot.
Join us this season!
If you’re in Slovakia (or just passing by), don’t miss our games. Experience the unique atmosphere of American football in Central Europe and support a team on the rise.
Follow us for the 2025 schedule!
Instagram / Facebook / Website: @st.nicolaus.monarchs / St. Nicolaus Monarchs / monarchs.sk
#FearNothingHitEverything
Photos Credits © Barbora Szabová / Ema Jašková / Martin Detvan / Svätoslav Straka / Zuzana Sefcovicova / McDominick Photography / Marko Murkić
A huge thanks to them for their high quality photographies.
