The following is a list of Arena Football League (AFL) teams. The AFL was a professional indoor American football league based in the United States.
The AFL started play with the 1987 season, featuring the Chicago Bruisers, the Denver Dynamite, the Pittsburgh Gladiators and the Washington Commandos. The Pittsburgh franchise became the Tampa Bay Storm in 1991 – they were the only franchise remaining from the inaugural 1987 season still operating until the 2017 season; after that season, they announced an indefinite suspension of operations, leaving open the possibility of returning in the future if the league were restructured in such a way as to make operation of a franchise potentially profitable.
As of the 2019 season, the final season in league history, 65 different franchises (operating under 85 different names when allowing for a franchise changing city or name) had competed in the AFL, of which 60 either left to compete in another indoor football league, suspended operations, or folded outright. At its height, the AFL featured 19 teams competing in the same season: 2001, 2004 and 2007.
Following the 2019 season, the AFL announced the closure of all its teams, but not the league itself. The league mulled over plans to operate with a touring format, with each week's games in a different arena and no set homes for any of its teams (much like the Premier Lacrosse League, BIG3, and most individual sports); however, league commissioner Randall Boe announced the league's filing for bankruptcy and cessation of operations on November 27, 2019.
Franchises active at the time of the 2019 bankruptcy Team City Arena Founded Joined Albany Empire Albany, New York Times Union Center 2017 2018 Atlantic City Blackjacks Atlantic City, New Jersey Boardwalk Hall 2019 Baltimore Brigade Baltimore, Maryland Royal Farms Arena 2016 2017 Columbus Destroyers Columbus, Ohio Nationwide Arena 1999 2019 Philadelphia Soul Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wells Fargo Center 2004 Washington Valor Washington, DC Capital One Arena 2016 2017
Expansions and contractions The Arena Football League expanded and contracted many times throughout its history. Between 1987 and 2018, every year in the AFL had at least one team fold, relocate, or change names. There were never two consecutive seasons in which the league had exactly the same lineup of cities. The league reached its maximum size in the 2001, 2004 and 2007 seasons, in which 19 teams competed in each instance. The league was then primarily contracting from 2011 to 2018, either dropping teams proving to be financially unfeasible or having teams depart because of concerns about the financial structure or travel distances. In 2019, the league had its first season in which all teams returned from the previous season, where the league had tied a record low of four active members.
Year# of teamsExpansion teamsFolded teamsTeams in a new LeagueSuspended teamsReturning teamsRelocated teamsName changes19874Chicago BruisersDenver DynamitePittsburgh Gladiators19886Detroit DriveLos Angeles CobrasNew York KnightsDenver Dynamite19895Los Angeles CobrasNew York KnightsDenver DynamiteMaryland CommandosMaryland Commandos(from Washington)19906Albany FirebirdsDallas TexansChicago BruisersWashington Commandos(from Maryland)19918Columbus ThunderboltsNew Orleans NightOrlando PredatorsWashington CommandosPittsburgh → Tampa Bay Storm199212Arizona RattlersCharlotte RageCincinnati RockersSacramento AttackSan Antonio ForceDenver DynamiteColumbus → Cleveland Thunderbolts199310New Orleans NightSan Antonio ForceSacramento → Miami Hooters199411Fort Worth CavalryLas Vegas StingMilwaukee MustangsCincinnati RockersDallas TexansDetroit → Massachusetts Marauders199513Connecticut CoyotesIowa BarnstormersMemphis PharaohsSt. Louis StampedeSan Jose SaberCatsMassachusetts MaraudersFort Worth Cavalry199615Texas TerrorLas Vegas → Anaheim PiranhasFort Worth → Minnesota Fighting Pike(dormant from 1995)Florida Bobcats(from Miami Hooters)199714Nashville KatsNew Jersey Red DogsNew York CityHawks Charlotte RageConnecticut CoyotesSt. Louis StampedeMemphis → Portland Forest Dragons199814Anaheim PiranhasMassachusetts Marauders → Grand Rapids Rampage(dormant for three years)Houston Thunderbears(from Texas Terror)1999 15 Buffalo DestroyersNew York → New England Sea Wolves200017Carolina CobrasPortland → Oklahoma Wranglers200119Chicago RushDetroit FuryAlbany → Indiana FirebirdsIowa → New York DragonsNew England → Toronto PhantomsNew Jersey Gladiators(from New Jersey Red Dogs)200216Dallas DesperadosFlorida BobcatsMilwaukee MustangsOklahoma WranglersNashville → Georgia ForceThe history of the Kats stayed in Nashville, similar to the agreement made between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens of the NFL.200316Colorado CrushToronto PhantomsNew Jersey → Las Vegas Gladiators200419Austin WranglersNew Orleans VooDooPhiladelphia SoulBuffalo → Columbus Destroyers200517Nashville KatsCarolina CobrasDetroit FuryIndiana Firebirds200618Kansas City BrigadeUtah BlazeNew Orleans VooDoo200719New Orleans VooDoo200817Nashville KatsAustin Wranglers (af2)Las Vegas → Cleveland Gladiators20090New Orleans VooDooLos Angeles AvengersArizona RattlersChicago RushCleveland GladiatorsColorado CrushColumbus DestroyersDallas DesperadosGeorgia ForceGrand Rapids RampageKansas City BrigadeNew York DragonsOrlando PredatorsPhiladelphia SoulSan Jose SaberCatsTampa Bay StormUtah Blaze201015Alabama Vipers*Bossier–Shreveport Battle Wings*Dallas VigilantesIowa Barnstormers*Jacksonville SharksMilwaukee Iron*Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz*Spokane Shock*Tulsa Talons*(* Promoted from af2)Arizona RattlersChicago RushCleveland GladiatorsOrlando PredatorsTampa Bay StormUtah Blaze201118Pittsburgh PowerOklahoma City Yard DawgzKansas City CommandPhiladelphia SoulSan Jose SaberCatsAlabama Vipers → Georgia ForceBossier-Shreveport Battle Wings → New Orleans VooDooKansas City Command(from Kansas City Brigade) Milwaukee Mustangs (from Milwaukee Iron)201217Dallas VigilantesTulsa Talons → San Antonio Talons201314Georgia ForceKansas City CommandMilwaukee Mustangs201414Los Angeles KissChicago RushUtah Blaze Milwaukee Mustangs → Portland Thunder201512Las Vegas OutlawsPittsburgh PowerSan Antonio TalonsIowa Barnstormers (Indoor Football League) 20168Las Vegas OutlawsNew Orleans VooDooSan Jose SaberCatsSpokane Shock (Indoor Football League as Spokane Empire)Portland Steel(from Portland Thunder)20175Baltimore BrigadeWashington ValorTed Leonsis close to securing Arena Football League team to play at Verizon Center, Jonathan O'Connell and Dan Steinberg, Washington Post, February 10, 2016Ted Leonsis to announce D.C. is getting an Arena Football League team, Scott Allen, The Washington Post, March 10, 2016Los Angeles KissOrlando PredatorsPortland SteelArizona Rattlers (Indoor Football League)Jacksonville Sharks (National Arena League)20184Albany EmpireTampa Bay StormCleveland Gladiators20196Atlantic City BlackjacksColumbus Destroyers20200Albany EmpireAtlantic City BlackjacksBaltimore BrigadeCleveland GladiatorsColumbus DestroyersPhiladelphia SoulWashington ValorYear# of teamsExpansion teamsFolded teamsTeams in a new LeagueSuspended teamsReturning teamsRelocated teamsName changes
List of franchises
TeamFirst AFL season Final AFL season Previous name(s)Previous name(s) season(s)NotesAlabama Vipers20102010Tennessee Valley VipersTennessee Valley Raptors2000–2004, 2006–20092005Franchise founded in af2 in 2000, then moved to United Indoor Football in 2005. Rejoined af2 in 2006, then joined new AFL in 2010. Moved to Georgia and became the reincarnated Georgia Force for the 2011 season.Albany Empire20182019Team closed and subsequently folded with league's 2019 bankruptcy.Anaheim Piranhas19941997Las Vegas Sting1994–1995Reason for cession of operations:Owner C. David Baker became league Commissioner.Arizona Rattlers19922016Moved to Indoor Football League.Atlantic City Blackjacks20192019Team closed and subsequently folded with league's 2019 bankruptcy.Austin Wranglers20042007Moved to af2, folded.Baltimore Brigade20172019Team closed and subsequently folded with league's 2019 bankruptcy.Carolina Cobras2000 2004Charlotte Rage19921996Chicago Politicians19861986Playtest game only.Chicago Bruisers19871989Chicago Rush20012013Suspended operations and never returned.Cincinnati Rockers19921993Cleveland Thunderbolts19911994Columbus Thunderbolts1991Cleveland Gladiators19972017New Jersey Red DogsNew Jersey GladiatorsLas Vegas Gladiators1997–20002001–20022003–2007Had planned to return in 2020 before the league went bankrupt.Colorado Crush20032008Not to be confused with the Colorado Ice, which formed in 2007 in United Indoor Football (part of the Indoor Football League merger) and later took on the Crush name before folding after that league's 2017 season.Columbus Destroyers1999201920082019Buffalo Destroyers1999–2003Inactive from 2008 to 2019. Returned for the 2019 season, then closed and subsequently folded with the league's bankruptcy.Connecticut Coyotes19951996Attempted and failed to sell the franchise.Dallas Desperados20022008Replaced by Dallas VigilantesDallas Texans19901993Dallas Vigilantes20102011Denver Dynamite19871991Inactive for 1988.Detroit Fury20012004Florida Bobcats19922001Sacramento Attack,Miami Hooters1992,1993–1995Fort Worth Cavalry19941994Georgia Force20022012Inactive for 2010 season.Grand Rapids Rampage19982008Houston ThunderBears19962001Texas Terror1996–1997Indiana Firebirds19902004Albany Firebirds1990–2000Albany Firebirds name and logo returned in af2 in 2009, replacing the Albany Conquest. Iowa Barnstormers 2010 2014 Original franchise became the New York Dragons following 2000 season; the revived franchise launched in AF2 in 2008 and rejoined the AFL in 2010. Team left following the 2014 season for the Indoor Football League.Jacksonville Sharks20102016Left the AFL for the new National Arena League.Kansas City Command20062012Kansas City Brigade2006–2008Inactive for the 2010 seasonLas Vegas Outlaws20152015Los Angeles Avengers20002008Los Angeles Cobras19881988Los Angeles Kiss20142016Massachusetts Marauders19881994Detroit Drive1988–1993Miami Vise19871987Showcase game only.Milwaukee Mustangs19942001Milwaukee Mustangs20102012Milwaukee Iron2010Inactive for the 2013 season, team moved to Portland for 2014 and became the Portland ThunderMinnesota Fighting Pike19961996Nashville Kats19972007 Returned as the Nashville Kats in 2005.New England Steamrollers19881988New Orleans Night19911992New Orleans VooDoo20042008Did not play 2006 season.20112015Bossier–Shreveport Battle Wings2010Bossier-Shreveport moved to New Orleans and became the VooDoo after coming back from the af2.New York Dragons19952008Iowa Barnstormers1995–2000Barnstormers name returned in 2010 with a new AFL team.New York Knights19881988Oklahoma Wranglers19952001Memphis Pharaohs,Portland Forest Dragons1995–1996,1997–1998Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz20102010Orlando Predators19912016Suspended operationsPhiladelphia Soul20042019Team closed and subsequently folded with the league's 2019 bankruptcy.Pittsburgh Power20112014Suspended operations.Portland Steel20142016Portland Thunder2014–2015Rockford Metros19861986Playtest game only.San Antonio Force19921992San Antonio Talons20122014Tulsa Talons1999–2011Franchise started as the Tulsa Talons in af2 back in 1999. Joined the new AFL in 2010 and relocated to San Antonio in 2012.San Jose SaberCats19952015Spokane Shock20102015Franchise started in af2 in 2005. Joined the new AFL in 2010. Team left for the IFL after 2015 season. Team later folded in 2017, before being resurrected for the 2020 IFL season.St. Louis Stampede19951996 Tampa Bay Storm Pittsburgh Gladiators – Ceased operationsToronto Phantoms19972002New York CityHawks,New England Sea Wolves1997–1998,1999–2000Utah Blaze20062013Suspended operations.Washington Commandos19871990Maryland Commandos1989Did not play the 1988 season.Washington Valor20172019Team closed and subsequently folded with the league's 2019 bankruptcy.
Timeline
See also