ArenaFan.com: ArenaFan Originals

ArenaBowl XXXIII and a Season Like No Other

Randy Snow

What a season it was for the Arena Football League (AFL). After being dormant since the end of the 2019 season, the AFL returned in 2024 with high hopes by fans who have loved this league since the first time they ever attended a game. I include myself among those fans.

ArenaBowl XXXIII Preview - Albany and Billings with big dreams of a championship

Brian Belefski

In a season filled with tumultuous scheduling, franchises folding and questions abound, the AFL did it. The league made it to ArenaBowl XXXIII � a feat that deserves more than a modicum of credit. Not only did the AFL make it through the season, the top two teams, Billings (8-1) and Albany (8-2) will play for the championship.

What does a person have to do to attend an AFL game this season?

Randy Snow

When my son Adam and I first learned back in February of 2023 that the Arena Football League was coming back in 2024, we were ecstatic! But trying to go to a game this season has been a bit problematic, to say the least.

Week four brings in a new commissioner as AFL looks for stability

Brian Belefski

Almost 25 years ago, Jeff Fisher was one-yard away from winning Super Bowl XXXIV as head coach of the Tennessee Titans. Celebrating across the field was Arena Football hero, Kurt Warner. Decades later, it is now Fisher, who has taken over the role of commissioner of the AFL to try to stretch the league back from troubled times.

Three teams down entering week three

Brian Belefski

After just two weeks of play, three franchises (Iowa Rampage, Georgia Force and Philadelphia Soul) have officially pulled the plug on the 2024 AFL season. That's a first, if you want to count this iteration of the league in the history books.

AFL looks to regroup in week two

Brian Belefski

Week one of the 2024 Arena Football season was a tumultuous rollercoaster ride. One can only imagine what the founder of the sport, Jim Foster, probably thought of the league revamp filled with ups and downs.

All The RAGE: A Fan�s Perspective of the Iowa Rampage, Vol 2

Jeremy Poore

Week one is in the books and the Rampage went into Rapid City, spread carnage on both sides of the ball, and left with a 58-28 win over the Marshals last Saturday night.

VooDoo successfully complete first game of the year

Brian Matherne

The returning VooDoo, an Arena Football League franchise formerly from New Orleans, has been through a lot of turmoil so far this year even before competing in their first game of the year.

Arena Football League 2024 Preview

Brian Belefski

After a five-year hiatus, the Arena Football is back for season number 33. Some familiar franchise names are back, along with a few expansion teams and some that played in other indoor and arena leagues last season. Below is a capsule of the 16-team league with early preseason roster analysis.

Reviving the Roar: Music City welcomes back the Kats and the AFL

Andy Lopusnak

It�s been 17 years since the Nashville Kats last played, leaving behind a legacy that still lingers in the memories of football fans throughout Middle Tennessee. The landscape of Nashville has evolved significantly since the AFL first made its mark on the Music City almost three decades ago.

All The RAGE: A Fan's Perspective of the Iowa Rampage

Jeremy Poore

It�s been a long time since I have put finger to keyboard and typed anything about indoor football in Iowa. It�s been over 20 years since I fell madly and deeply in love with the game, was an Omaha Beef season ticket holder, a beat writer for the Beef, and then ended up starting a little known website called IndoorFootballFan.com.

Ryan�s Absolutely, Positively Final "Power" Ranking

Ryan McCarthy

The 2019 Arena Football League season came to its conclusion last Sunday evening as the Albany Empire defeated the Philadelphia Soul, 45-27. This marked the end of a very fun and fascinating season.

From Italy to Albany: Giancarlo's Journey to ArenaBowl 32

Harrison Brown

After thirty years of following the Arena Football League Giancarlo Rancati from Monza, Italy attended his first AFL game in Albany New York at ArenaBowl 32. Rancati witnessed the Capital Region's first championship in twenty years, standing on the field under the confetti after the Empire�s victory.

Albany Wins ArenaBowl 32 Against Philadelphia

Harrison Brown

The Philadelphia Soul fell to the Albany Empire 45-27 in ArenaBowl 32 at the Times Union Center in Albany.

Business Finished: Empire Defeats Soul in ArenaBowl, 45-27

Ryan McCarthy

All season long, the mantra for the Albany Empire has been, "Unfinished Business." After Sunday evening, consider it done.

Philadelphia Underdog Mentality Returns for ArenaBowl 32

Harrison Brown

The city of Philadelphia is once again an underdog in a football championship. The Philadelphia Soul are heading into ArenaBowl 32 as a ten-point underdog against the Albany Empire. The ArenaBowl will be played in the Times Union Center in Albany, the mecca of passionate AFL fan bases.

Expansion Updates From ArenaBowl 32 Awards Ceremony

Harrison Brown

After initial reports of an announcement regarding the Arena Football League�s plans for expansion during ArenaBowl 32, the AFL postponed their announcement to a later date.

Dear Empire: It`s Time

Ryan McCarthy

An Open Letter to the Albany Empire on the Eve of Arena Bowl 32

Soul Finish Aggregate Series, Look Ahead to ArenaBowl 32

Harrison Brown

The Philadelphia Soul defeated the Washington Valor 48-41 to formally punch their ticket to ArenaBowl 32 in Albany. The series was all but over last week when the Soul defeated the Valor 69-33 in game one.

Empire Romps in First Game over Brigade, 61-26

Ryan McCarthy

How do you avenge your only home loss of the season? Win big in the first game of your home-and-home aggregate playoff series.

Philadelphia Wins Game One Against Washington 69-33

Harrison Brown

The Philadelphia Soul jumped out to a 69-33 series lead with a win in their first of two postseason games against the Washington Valor. Game two of the playoff series will take place in Philadelphia next Sunday, with the Soul ahead by a thirty-six-point cushion.

Ironman Darius Money Reynolds Returns to Receiver for The Soul

Harrison Brown

The Arena Football League no longer requires teams to utilize players in an �Ironman� fashion, with much of the league�s history featuring players on both sides of the ball. Despite the league not mandating it, a player with the ability to play offense and defense is extremely valuable on a twenty-one-man active roster.

Total Effort Drives Empire Rout of Soul, 72-27

Ryan McCarthy

Three weeks ago, the Albany Empire suffered their worst loss and also experienced their worst quarter of the season against the Philadelphia Soul. In their regular season finale, they returned the favor.

Baltimore Brigade DB Joe Powell's Journey

Harrison Brown

Since signing with the Cleveland Gladiators in 2016 Joe Powell has spent time with three NFL franchises, the Birmingham Iron of the AAF, and currently the postseason bound Baltimore Brigade. His professional football career has seen great success and growth but just a few years ago Powell didn�t see football in his future.

Gritty Performance From Warren Smith Falls Short, Soul Sweep Blackjacks

Harrison Brown

The Atlantic City Blackjacks fell to the Philadelphia Soul 50-45 in a game that came down to an injured quarterback, Warren Smith, throwing a Hail Mary across the field. Smith and the Blackjacks were fighting for their playoff lives and will now be at the mercy of the Washington Valor.