{{Short description|American football team based in the UK}} {{EngvarB|date=June 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}} {{Infobox sports team | name = Bristol Aztecs | logo = Bristol Aztecs 2026.jpg | founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1990}} | history = | league = BAFA National Leagues | division = Premiership (South Division) | stadium = Shaftesbury Park (capacity: 2,000) | location = Frenchay, Bristol | colours = Blue, Orange, White, Grey {{Clear}} {{Color box|#0033A0}} {{color box|#D64309}} {{Color box|#FFFFFF}} {{color box|#AFB1AC}} | managing_director = Elliot Hoyte | coach = Pete Jones | manager = | gm = John Matthews | division_titles = '''4''': (1997, 1999, 2005, 2006) | stage_titles = | playoff_berths = '''20''': (1993, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) | website = https://goaztecs.co.uk[https://goaztecs.co.uk] | owner = Bristol American Football Ltd. | nat_championships = '''1''': (2025) }}
The '''Bristol Aztecs''' are an American football team based in Bristol, England. Competing in both the BAFA National Leagues Premier South, and the Central European Football League (CEFL) they are the south-west's only Premiership team.
== History == thumb|left|Aztecs Logo prior to 2025 rebrandThe Bristol Aztecs were formed in 1990. They won the Division Two championship in 1999. The club established Youth and Junior programmes in 2003<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fear |first1=Bill |title=Aztecs recruiting for the new season |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bristol/content/madeinbristol/2004/01/09/aztecs_recruit.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401103618/http://www.bbc.co.uk/bristol/content/madeinbristol/2004/01/09/aztecs_recruit.shtml |archive-date=1 April 2016 |access-date=28 November 2015 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> strengthening its long-term player development pathway. The team operates from Shaftesbury Park in Filton and represents the City of Bristol, where it was founded.<ref>{{cite web |title=New season – new league |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bristol/content/articles/2007/02/27/aztecs_2007season_feature.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401103328/http://www.bbc.co.uk/bristol/content/articles/2007/02/27/aztecs_2007season_feature.shtml |archive-date=1 April 2016 |access-date=28 November 2015 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>
Following the 2007 BAFL re-alignment, the Aztecs remained in the Premier Division and have competed at the top level of British American football since.<ref>{{cite web |title=American Football in Bristol |url=http://www.365bristol.com/story/2015/06/20/american-football-in-bristol/1431/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208152737/http://www.365bristol.com/story/2015/06/20/american-football-in-bristol/1431/ |archive-date=8 December 2015 |access-date=28 November 2015 |publisher=365 Bristol}}</ref> Prior to the 2020 season, the club formally joined the SGS College academy system and adopted the Bristol Academy Pride branding, introducing new colours, uniforms, helmets, and logos.<ref name="sgsc">{{cite web |title=Prem. Football Aztecs |url=https://www.sgscol.ac.uk/aztecs |access-date=2 May 2021 |publisher=South Gloucestershire and Stroud College}}</ref>
On 7 September 2025, the Bristol Aztecs won their first Premiership National Championship, defeating the London Warriors 27–24 in BritBowl XXXVII. The victory marked the club’s first national title at the senior Premiership level.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aztecs, Thrashers, Blitz crowned champions at Britbowl Weekend – British American Football |url=https://www.britishamericanfootball.org/2025/09/aztecs-thrashers-blitz-crowned-champions-at-britbowl-weekend/ |access-date=2025-12-13 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In October 2025, the Bristol Aztecs transitioned to a limited liability company, becoming Bristol American Football Ltd., alongside a significant financial investment from a new ownership group with a goal to further commercialise the brand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BRISTOL AMERICAN FOOTBALL LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/16800114 |access-date=2025-12-13 |website=find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref> Later that month, ahead of the 2026 season, the club announced its third major rebrand. This rebrand included a refined logo, a change of primary colour from navy blue to royal blue, the formal reintroduction of orange as a secondary colour, and the adoption of royal blue helmets, reflecting a renewed visual identity and strategic direction for the organisation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQgQZ7iDtWA/ |access-date=2025-12-13 |website=www.instagram.com}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
{{British American Football}} {{BAFL seasons}}
Category:BAFA National League teams Category:American football teams in England Category:Sport in Bristol Category:South Gloucestershire and Stroud College Category:American football teams established in 1990 Category:1990 establishments in England