History

NATIONAL ARENA LEAGUE HISTORY

The National Arena League (NAL) is a professional indoor football league that began play in 2017. Since its inaugural season, the NAL has featured teams and markets throughout the United States and Mexico while continuing to grow and evolve within professional indoor football. In 2027, the National Arena League will celebrate Season X, its 10th season of competition.

2016:

In 2016, the former commissioner of the Arena Development League, along with business partners and operating members of existing arena football teams, formed the National Arena League. John Gregory was named Commissioner and Chris Siegfried was named Director of Operations. The league announced plans to kick off in 2017 with notable arena football organizations joining the NAL, including the Jacksonville Sharks (AFL), Columbus Lions (PIFL), Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (PIFL), and Georgia Firebirds (AIF).

2017:

The NAL announced several expansion teams, including the High Country Grizzlies, Monterrey Steel, and Corpus Christi Rage. The league's inaugural season included eight teams across seven states and Mexico. The first-ever NAL Championship was played in Jacksonville, Florida, where the Columbus Lions faced the Jacksonville Sharks. The Sharks became the first NAL Champions in league history with a 27-21 victory.

2018:

Following the 2017 season, Commissioner John Gregory stepped down and was replaced by Director of Operations Chris Siegfried. The 2018 season began on April 7 and included several changes to the league's membership. The Monterrey Steel, Georgia Firebirds, Dayton Wolfpack, and Corpus Christi Rage discontinued operations following the 2017 season, while the High Country Grizzlies joined the AAL. The NAL added the Maine Mammoths, Massachusetts Pirates, and Carolina Cobras.

The expansion Carolina Cobras quickly established themselves as one of the league's top teams. The Cobras hosted the second NAL Championship and defeated the Columbus Lions 66-8 to become NAL Champions.

2019:

The New York Streets joined the National Arena League for the 2019 season following the departure of the Maine Mammoths and Lehigh Valley Steelhawks. Prior to the season, the Orlando Predators also joined the NAL under new ownership, bringing the historic Predators name back to professional arena football.

Six teams competed during the 2019 season: the Orlando Predators, Jacksonville Sharks, Columbus Lions, Carolina Cobras, Massachusetts Pirates, and New York Streets. The Jacksonville Sharks hosted the third NAL Championship and defeated the Carolina Cobras 52-48 to capture their second league championship.

2020:

The 2020 NAL season was canceled due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. During the year, the National Arena League continued preparing for its return and announced the Albany Empire, Jersey Flight, and Ontario Bandits as new franchises for the 2021 season. The West Virginia Roughriders were also included in expansion plans for a future season. The Massachusetts Pirates departed for the Indoor Football League as the NAL continued planning for its return to play.

2021:

Despite the continued challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Arena League returned to the field in 2021. Many NAL organizations were forced to operate with limited venue capacities due to state and local procedures.

The NAL moved forward with a shortened regular season consisting of a 10-week schedule followed by the playoffs and championship. The Albany Empire and Jersey Flight joined returning organizations Carolina Cobras, Columbus Lions, Orlando Predators, and Jacksonville Sharks.

The season officially kicked off on May 28 and concluded on August 14 when the Columbus Lions faced the Albany Empire in the NAL Championship. Albany defeated Columbus 79-62 to capture the championship in its inaugural NAL season.

2022:

The San Antonio Gunslingers officially joined the National Arena League after previously competing in the AAL. The addition made San Antonio the league's most populated and westernmost market at the time.

Following the postseason, the defending NAL Champion Albany Empire hosted the Carolina Cobras in the championship game. Albany defeated Carolina 47-20 to become the first organization in NAL history to win back-to-back championships.

2023:

Entering its seventh season, the National Arena League featured seven teams across four states. The league welcomed the West Texas Warbirds and Fayetteville Mustangs for their first seasons in the NAL.

Following the regular season, the Jacksonville Sharks, Carolina Cobras, San Antonio Gunslingers, and Orlando Predators advanced to the playoffs. Jacksonville went on to host the 2023 NAL Championship, defeating the Carolina Cobras 54-45. The victory gave the Sharks their third NAL Championship.

Commissioner Chris Siegfried stepped down following the 2023 season.

2024:

Todd Walkenhorst was named Commissioner of the National Arena League as the league entered a significant period of change. The NAL expanded from its previous eastern footprint into new markets across Kansas, Iowa, Colorado, Idaho, and Nebraska, bringing arena football to new communities and fan bases.

New to the NAL, the Omaha Beef completed an undefeated season and defeated the Sioux City Bandits to capture the organization's first National Arena League Championship.

2025:

The National Arena League continued its growth in 2025 with new organizations in Texas, West Virginia, and Louisiana, along with the return of founding member Columbus Lions.

The year also brought a change in league leadership. In February, Commissioner Todd Walkenhorst stepped down to pursue opportunities outside the NAL, and Executive Board Member Brandon Ikard was named Commissioner of the National Arena League.

On the field, the Omaha Beef advanced to the championship as National Division Champions, while the first-year Beaumont Renegades represented the American Division. The two organizations met for the NAL Championship in Beaumont, Texas, where the Renegades defeated Omaha 37-29 to capture the championship in their inaugural season.

2026:

The National Arena League entered the 2026 season with nine member organizations: the Amarillo Warbirds, Colorado Spartans, Dallas Bulls, Louisiana Rouxgaroux, Omaha Beef, Pueblo Punishers, Salina Liberty, Sioux City Bandits, and Southwest Kansas Storm.

The league continued its focus on strengthening member organizations, expanding its digital and broadcast presence, developing national partnerships, and building greater stability throughout the NAL.

The 2026 season concluded with NAL Championship Game IX on June 21 at United Wireless Arena in Dodge City, Kansas.

Following the season, the NAL began preparations for its milestone 10th season. The league announced the addition of the Dallas Apex and the return of the Wheeling Miners, creating a 10-team membership for 2027.

Commissioner Brandon Ikard also received a three-year contract extension as the league continued building toward its next chapter.

2027:

The National Arena League will celebrate Season X in 2027, marking the league's 10th season of competition since beginning play in 2017.

Season X will feature 10 member organizations: the Amarillo Warbirds, Colorado Spartans, Dallas Apex, Louisiana Rouxgaroux, Omaha Beef, Pueblo Punishers, Salina Liberty, Sioux City Bandits, Southwest Kansas Storm, and Wheeling Miners.

As part of the milestone season, the National Arena League introduced a new permanent identity for its championship game. Beginning with Season X, the NAL Championship Game will be known as the National Bowl, providing the league's championship with its own identity as the culminating event of each NAL season.

The league enters Season X continuing to build its broadcast operations, digital media presence, league programming, national partnerships, and overall infrastructure while celebrating a decade of National Arena League football.

SEASON X - WHERE CHAMPIONS ARE CROWNED.