Let us clear any possible confusion… We are aware that many in Europe define football as the sport that American fans refer to “soccer.”
Yet, for those not as aware, American Football came to Italy with World War II, and achieved its present fame thanks to the January 1, 1945 “Spaghetti Bowl,” a game hotly contested between American Army and Air Force servicemen.
When Italian Bowl teams take to the field to battle for victories, it is important that crowds know to expect “American Football.”
The 1970s saw various American teams, players, and executives scout Italian sites to explore interest (which of course was great) and saw towns both embrace the game and field competitive teams. In 1981, the Italian Bowl I (the (equivalent to our Super Bowl) was played! Many Americans now enjoy the great experience of Italian football (it is even broadcast in our area thanks to BCSN). Off the Italian football field, noted American author John Grisham even wrote about its exploits in his best selling book Playing for Pizza.
Nick Eyde, a Toledo real estate executive, lived the experience as a player and has been instrumental in bringing the Italian Bowl experience to Toledo (July 1, 2023 and June 28, 2025). Eyde received an invitation in 2001 to play in Austria before enjoying a career in the Italian Football League from 2002-2009. Like Nick, there are many whose stories as Italian League players and coaches need to be told!
Both as a player and a fan, Eyde knew that American fans would enjoy the passion and style of the Italian game so he met with FIDAF officials in 2022 to lay the groundwork for an Italian football game on American soil.
Where was never a question to Eyde – his hometown of Toledo was the “X” on his treasure map!! Few could argue – after all, Ohio boasts both the site of football’s birth and the home of the Toledo-made Jeep (revered as “the” transportation soldier in WWII).
It did not take Eyde long to form a partnership with community leaders, The University of Toledo, and Buckeye Cable Sports News (BCSN), the local cable affiliate to host and produce the game. On Saturday, July 1, 2023, Italian Bowl XLII became the first Italian Bowl played outside of Europe in the university’s historic Glass Bowl Stadium. Tens of thousands of fans enjoyed the advance and game-day festivities while a considerable number streamed the game both in the USA and Italy.
There are currently 12 teams in the Italian Football League’s top division vying for their trip to the title game. As Italian Bowl XLIV returns to Toledo on June 28, 2025 at The University of Toledo, organizers want to celebrate the game – whether through memories of local veterans who enjoyed the game while stationed overseas, those newly introduced to the league thanks to Buckeye’s weekly broadcasts or just fans from far and wide looking for a good football game during the month of June!!
To purchase your tickets today, click on TICKETS in the menu at the top of the page. We look forward to seeing YOU at the game!
Contact:
Pat Nowak, director of operations
Email: nowakp112946@aol.com
Phone: 419-461-0155
