The Indoor Football League held it’s wide anticipated league media day at Tucson Arena, on Saturday\. The IFL has risen to ranks that the old Arena Football 2 (AF2) and it’s parent league, the Arena Football League, held during the league’s original heyday in the 1990’s.

While the Green Bay Blizzard and Arizona Rattlers offer a matchup only old school arena nerds could dream of, the league has achieved even greater heights and stability than what was once thought possible after the original AFL and AF2 folded in 2008 and 2009 respectively.

The IFL has lost its share of teams over the last six seasons (Spokane, Sioux Falls, Louisville and Frisco come to mind), but instead of packing it in and folding upon itself, the league continues to succeed where the AF2 did not. The strength and stability of the league cannot be understated whatsoever.

The IFL is gaining new fans each and every day. Similar to how the old AFL brought on fans who became intrigued by our game, the IFL has begun to do the same. Fans are noticing. The league is noticing. As a sport and as a business, you cannot help but notice the success that’s come as of late.

Even better? The IFL has made it clear that they have no plans to slow that progress made since even the seven time champions, the Sioux Falls Storm, folded when the arena operators at the Denny Sanford Premier Center chose not to renew the lease with the team.

IFL WILL KEEP GROWING

In a shocking announcement to all in attendance, IFL Commissioner Todd Tryon said that The Arena League’s Arkansas Diamonds (formerly the Hot Springs Wiseguys) will be joining the IFL in 2027.

In addition to the teams announced in Athens, Georgia and Austin, Texas, Commissioner Tryon also officially confirmed a new expansion franchise in Savannah, Georgia will also launch in 2027, giving the league 18 teams.

The Commissioner was asked if the growing number of teams would create the need for divisions next year. He stated that would not happen and the league would remain with two conferences, Eastern and Western, for the time being.

It was also stated the goal is ultimately to grow to 24 teams when all is said and done. With the current trajectory of the league, a 24-team IFL seems all but inevitable going forward.