Arena football is a variety of gridiron football designed to be played indoors. The game is played on a smaller field than American or Canadian football, designed to fit in the same surface area as a standard North American ice hockey rink, and features between six and eight players for each team playing at any given time depending on the league, resulting in a faster and higher-scoring game that can be played on the floors of indoor arenas. The sport was invented in 1981, and patented in 1987, by Jim Foster, a former executive of the National Football League and the United States Football League. The name is trademarked by Gridiron Enterprises and had a proprietary format until its patent expired in 2007.
The San Jose SaberCats were a professional arena football team based in San Jose, California. The SaberCats had been members of the Arena Football League (AFL) since 1995 ; and until 2015, they belonged to the AFL's National Conference. Over nineteen seasons of play, the SaberCats emerged as one of the Arena Football League's most successful franchises; at the conclusion of the 2015 season, the SaberCats boasted a lifetime regular season record of 198–98. Moreover, the SaberCats had won a total of four AFL Championships. Their lifetime postseason record stood at 19–12.
The Florida Firecats were a professional arena football team based in Estero, Florida. They played in the AF2, the Arena Football League's developmental league, from 2001 to 2009. They did not join the AFL following the leagues' reorganization in 2010. During their run they won the 2004 ArenaCup championship, two conference titles, and made a total of seven playoff appearances. They played their home games at Germain Arena.
The San Antonio Talons were a professional arena football team based in San Antonio, Texas. They played in the Arena Football League (AFL). Their home arena was the Alamodome, following their relocation to San Antonio for the 2012 season.
The Coralville Chaos are a professional indoor football team based in Coralville, Iowa. They will play their home games at the Xtream Arena in Coralville starting in 2025.
The Tri-Cities Fever was a professional indoor football franchise based in Kennewick, Washington. The Fever joined National Indoor Football League (NIFL) in 2005 as an expansion team. The Fever were owned by Teri Carr. From 2005 to 2016, the Fever played their home games at the Toyota Center in Kennewick, Washington. On June 30, 2016, the team announced it would go dormant for the 2017 season and beyond.
The Utah Blaze was a professional arena football team based in Salt Lake City, Utah and competed in the West Division of the Arena Football League. Home games were played at the EnergySolutions Arena. In 2013, the team did not submit proper documentation to remain in the AFL and the entire roster was reassigned to other teams in the league.
The Adventist Health Arena is an indoor arena in Stockton, California. It opened in December 2005 and seats a maximum of 12,000 fans.
The Stockton Lightning were a professional arena football team based in Stockton, California. They were members of the Western Division of the National Conference of the arenafootball2 (af2). The Lightning joined af2 2006 as an expansion team. They played their home games at Stockton Arena in Stockton, California and were coached by Chad Carlson. The Stockton Lightning were owned by Michael Reinsdorf.
The Boise Burn was an arena football team based in Boise, Idaho. The Burn began play in the af2 league in March 2007. Burn home games were played at the Qwest Arena in downtown Boise.
The Stockton Kings are an American professional basketball team of the NBA G League based in Stockton, California, and are affiliated with the Sacramento Kings. The Kings play their home games at the Stockton Arena and compete in the G League's Western Conference Pacific Division.
The Stockton Wolves were a professional indoor football team, initially based in San Jose, California and subsequently moving to be based in Stockton, California. As the San Jose Wolves, the team played its home games at the Cow Palace, located in Daly City. The team was owned by Ryan Petersen, CEO of computer hardware manufacturing company OCZ Technology.
Jerry B. Kurz is a founding father of the now-defunct Arena Football League. He was one of the earliest leaders of Arena football, and was part owner of Gridiron Enterprises, original owner of the proprietary, formerly patented, Arena football system.
Troy Lonnell McBroom is a former American football wide receiver who played in the Arena Football League. In college, he was selected first team all KCAC from 2004 to 2006. McBroom played for the AF1 Tulsa Talons where he recorded 149 receptions for 1,747 yards and 31 touchdowns.
Santa Barbara Sky FC is a planned American professional soccer team based in Santa Barbara, California. First announced in 2022, the team plans to play in USL League One beginning in 2025.
The Arizona Bandits are a future professional indoor football team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They were announced as one of the inaugural teams for the revived Arena Football League (AFL), but after that league's collapse, they are likely to join the new Arena Football One that will begin play in 2025.
The Arena Football League (AFL) was a professional indoor American football league founded in 2023 with their first season beginning in 2024. The recent AFL took its identity, history, some of the rulebook and some team names from, but is not directly connected to, the previous iteration of the Arena Football League founded by Jim Foster in 1986.
Arena Football One is a future professional indoor football league based in Nashville, Tennessee, set to play in 2025. The league was founded by the eight teams who had survived the 2024 Arena Football League season, effectively serving as a reorganization of the 2024 revival of the Arena Football League.
The Eau Claire Jammers are an indoor American football team set to begin play in 2025 as an expansion team of The Arena League. Based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the Jammers will play their home games at the Sonnentag Event Center.
The Hot Springs Wiseguys are an indoor American football team set to begin play in 2025 as an expansion team of The Arena League. Based in Hot Springs, Arkansas, the Wiseguys will play their home games at the Bank OZK Arena.
