American Football Database
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The following is a list of Arena Football League (AFL) arenas. American and Canadian football is traditionally played outdoors on grass or artificial turf fields 120–150 yards (109.73–137.16 m) in length. However, arena football is played in covered climate-controlled multi-purpose venues. The field is comparable to the size of a National Hockey League rink, allowing 50 yards (46 m) for a scrimmage area. The AFL was established in 1987 and features arena football teams across the United States. In 2014, the average AFL attendance was 8,473 per game. That year the Tampa Bay Storm averaged the most attendees per game with 11,402. The Orlando Predators were the least attended team in 2014 drawing an average of 5,421 per game.[1] Talking Stick Resort Arena was the home of the Arizona Rattlers from 1992 until the team's departure in 2016, making it the longest operating AFL venue. The smallest venue to house an AFL team was the 5,000 seat West Palm Beach Auditorium, the home of the Florida Bobcats from 1996 to 1998. ArenaBowl IX at the Thunderdome (now Tropicana Field) in St. Petersburg, Florida on September 1, 1995, was the highest attended game in AFL history (25,087).[2] Joe Louis Arena in Detroit has been host to four ArenaBowls (1989, 1990, 1991, 1993).

Active teams[]

Team
(former names)
Arena
(former names)
Years used Capacity Opened City
Albany Empire Times Union Center
Pepsi Arena
Knickerbocker Arena
2018–present 13,785 1990 Albany, New York
Atlantic City Blackjacks Boardwalk Hall 2019–present 10,500 1929 Atlantic City, New Jersey
Baltimore Brigade Royal Farms Arena
First Mariner Arena
Baltimore Arena
Baltimore Civic Center
2017–present 11,271 1962 Baltimore, Maryland
Columbus Destroyers
(Buffalo Destroyers)
Nationwide Arena 2004–2008, 2019–Present 17,171 2000 Columbus, Ohio
HSBC Arena
Marine Midland Arena (1996–1999)
1999–2003 18,690 1996 Buffalo, New York
Philadelphia Soul Wells Fargo Center
Wachovia Center (2003–2010)
First Union Center (1998-2003)
CoreStates Center (1996-1998)
2004–present 17,486 1996 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Wachovia Spectrum 2004–2008
(For Saturday home games)
17,380 1967
Washington Valor Capital One Arena
Verizon Center (2017)
2017–present 18,506 1997 Washington, D.C.

On hiatus[]

Team
(former names)
Arena
(former names)
Years used Capacity Opened City
Cleveland Gladiators
(Las Vegas Gladiators)
(New Jersey Gladiators)
(New Jersey Red Dogs)
Quicken Loans Arena 2008–2017 18,926 1994 Cleveland, Ohio
Orleans Arena 2007 9,500 2003 Paradise, Nevada
Thomas & Mack Center 2003–2006 18,776 1983
Continental Airlines Arena 1997–2002 19,040 1981 East Rutherford, New Jersey

Defunct teams[]

Team
(former names)
Arena
(former names)
Years used Capacity Opened City
Alabama Vipers Von Braun Center 2010 6,760 1975 Huntsville, Alabama
Anaheim Piranhas
(1996–1997)
(Las Vegas Sting)
(1994–1995)
Arrowhead Pond
Anaheim Arena (1993)
1996–1997 17,174 1993 Anaheim, California
Thomas & Mack Center 1995 18,776 1983 Paradise, Nevada
MGM Grand Garden Arena 1994 17,157 Paradise, Nevada
Arizona Rattlers Talking Stick Resort Arena
US Airways Center (2005–2014)
America West Arena (1992–2005)
1992–2016 16,321 1992 Phoenix, Arizona
Austin Wranglers Frank Erwin Center 2004–2007 14,990 1977 Austin, Texas
Bossier–Shreveport Battle Wings CenturyTel Center 2010 12,000 2000 Bossier City, Louisiana
Carolina Cobras Charlotte Coliseum 2003–2004 21,684 1988 Charlotte, North Carolina
Raleigh Entertainment and Sports Arena
RBC Center (2002–2012)
2000–2002 18,176 1999 Raleigh, North Carolina
Charlotte Rage Charlotte Coliseum 1992–1996 21,684 1988 Charlotte, North Carolina
Chicago Bruisers Rosemont Horizon
Allstate Arena (1999–present)
1987–1989 16,143 1980 Rosemont, Illinois
Chicago Politicians
(1986 Playtest Game)
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Chicago Rush
(2001–2013)
BMO Harris Bank Center
Rockford MetroCentre (1981–2011)
2013 5,895 1981 Rockford, Illinois
Allstate Arena
Rosemont Horizon (1980–1999)
2001– 16,143 1980 Rosemont, Illinois
Cincinnati Rockers
(1992–1993)
Riverfront Coliseum
U.S. Bank Arena
Firstar Center
The Crown
1992–1993 12,823 1975 Cincinnati, Ohio
Cleveland Thunderbolts
(1992–1994)
(Columbus Thunderbolts)
(1991)
Coliseum at Richfield 1992–1994 18,544 1974 Richfield, Ohio
Ohio Expo Center Coliseum 1992–1994 7,000 1918 Columbus, Ohio
Colorado Crush Pepsi Center 2003–2008 17,210 1999 Denver, Colorado
Connecticut Coyotes
(1995–1996)
Hartford Civic Center 1995–1996 15,150 1980 Hartford, Connecticut
Dallas Desperados American Airlines Center 2002–2008 16,096 2001 Dallas, Texas
Dallas Texans
(1990–1993)
Reunion Arena 1995–1996 17,001 1980 Dallas, Texas
Dallas Vigilantes American Airlines Center 2010–2011 16,026 2001–2011 Dallas, Texas
Denver Dynamite
(1987, 1989–1991)
McNichols Sports Arena 1987, 1989–1991 16,061 1975 Denver, Colorado
Detroit Fury
(2001–2004)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 2001–2004 20,184 1988 Auburn Hills, Michigan
Florida Bobcats
(1996–2001)
(Miami Hooters)
(1993–1995)
(Sacramento Attack)
(1992)
National Car Rental Center 1999–2001 17,900 1998 Sunrise, Florida
West Palm Beach Auditorium 1996–1998 5,000 1965 West Palm Beach, Florida
Miami Arena 1993–1995 14,696 1988 Miami, Florida
ARCO Arena 1992 12,632 1988 Sacramento, California
Fort Worth Cavalry
(1994)
Fort Worth Convention Center 1994 11,200 1965 Fort Worth, Texas
Georgia Force Arena at Gwinnett Center 2003–2004, 2008, 2010–2012 11,500 2003 Duluth, Georgia
Philips Arena 2002, 2005–2007 18,545 1999 Atlanta, Georgia
Grand Rapids Rampage Van Andel Arena 1998–2008 10,834 1996 Grand Rapids, Michigan
Houston Thunderbears
(1998–2001)
(Texas Terror)
(1996–1997)
Compaq Center
The Summit (1975–1998)
1996–2001 15,256 1975 Houston, Texas
Indiana Firebirds
(2001–2004)
(Albany Firebirds)
(1990–2000)
Conseco Fieldhouse 2001–2004 14,400 1999 Indianapolis, Indiana
Pepsi Arena 1990–2000 13,256 1990 Albany, New York
Iowa Barnstormers Wells Fargo Arena 2010–2014 15,181 2005 Des Moines, Iowa
Jacksonville Sharks Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena 2010–2016 13,000 2003 Jacksonville, Florida
Kansas City Command
(2011–2012)
(Kansas City Brigade)
(2006–2008)
Sprint Center 2008–2012 17,752 2007 Kansas City, Missouri
Kemper Arena 2006–2007 17,642 1974
Las Vegas Outlaws Thomas & Mack Center 2015 16,606 1983 Paradise, Nevada
Los Angeles Avengers Staples Center 2000–2008 16,096 1999 Los Angeles
Los Angeles Cobras
(1988)
Los Angeles Sports Arena 1988 14,546 1959 Los Angeles
Los Angeles Kiss Honda Center 2014–2016 17,174 1993 Anaheim, California
Massachusetts Marauders
(1994)
(Detroit Drive)
(1988–1993)
Worcester's Centrum Centre
DCU Center (2004–present)
Worcester Centrum (1987–1992)
1994 12,230 1982 Worcester, Massachusetts
Joe Louis Arena 1988–1993 20,066 1979 Detroit, Michigan
Miami Vise
(1987 Playtest Game)
N/A 1987 N/A N/A N/A
Milwaukee Mustangs
(1994–2001)
Bradley Center 1994–2001 17,800 1988 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee Mustangs
(2011–2012)
(Milwaukee Iron)
(2009–2010)
BMO Harris Bradley Center
Bradley Center (1988–2012)
2010–2012 17,800 1988 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Minnesota Fighting Pike
(1996)
Target Center 1996 17,500 1990 Minneapolis, Minnesota
Nashville Kats Sommet Center
Nashville Arena (1996–1999), (2007)
Gaylord Entertainment Center (1999–2007)
1997–2001, 2005–2007 16,121 1996 Nashville, Tennessee
New England Steamrollers
(1988)
Providence Civic Center
Dunkin' Donuts Center (2001–present)
1988 11,500 1972 Providence, Rhode Island
New Orleans Night
(1991–1992)
Louisiana Superdome 1991–1992 55,675 1975 New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans VooDoo Smoothie King Center
New Orleans Arena (1999–2014)
2004–2005, 2007–2008, 2011–2015 16,377 1999 New Orleans, Louisiana
New York Dragons
(Iowa Barnstormers)
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum 2001–2008 11,950 1972 Uniondale, New York
Iowa Veterans Memorial Auditorium 1995–2000 11,411 1955 Des Moines, Iowa
New York Knights
(1988)
Madison Square Garden 1988 18,200 1968 New York City
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz Cox Convention Center 2010 13,231 1972 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma Wranglers
(2000–2001)
(Portland Forest Dragons)
(1997–1999)
(Memphis Pharaohs)
(1995–1996)
Cox Convention Center 2000–2001 13,231 UNK Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Rose Garden 1997–1999 17,544 1993 Portland, Oregon
Pyramid Arena 1995–1996 21,000 1991 Memphis, Tennessee
Orlando Predators
Amway Center 2011–2013, 2015–2016 17,200 2010 Orlando, Florida
CFE Arena 2014 9,465 2007 Orlando, Florida
Amway Arena
The Arena in Orlando (2006)
TD Waterhouse Centre (1999–2006)
Orlando Arena (1989–1999)
1991–2008 15,924 1989 Orlando, Florida
Pittsburgh Power Consol Energy Center 2011–2014 18,000 2010 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Portland Steel
(Portland Thunder)
Moda Center 2014–2016 20,636 1995 Portland, Oregon
Rockford Metros
(1986 Playtest Game)
Rockford MetroCentre 1986 10,000 1981 Rockford, Illinois
San Antonio Force
(1992)
HemisFair Arena 1992 10,146 UNK San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio Talons
(Tulsa Talons)
Alamodome 2012–2014 65,000 1993 San Antonio, Texas
BOK Center 2010–2011 16,582 2008 Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa Convention Center 2000–2009 7,111 1964
San Jose SaberCats SAP Center at San Jose
HP Pavilion at San Jose (2002–2013)
Compaq Center at San Jose (2001–2002)
San Jose Arena (1993–2001)
1995–2015 16,100 1993 San Jose, California
Spokane Shock Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena 2010–2015 10,471 1995 Spokane, Washington
St. Louis Stampede
(1995–1996)
Kiel Center
Scottrade Center (2006–present)
Savvis Center (2000–2006)
1995–1996 19,022 1994 St. Louis, Missouri
Tampa Bay Storm
(Pittsburgh Gladiators)
Amalie Arena
Tampa Bay Times Forum (2011–2014)
St. Pete Times Forum (2002–2011)
Ice Palace (1996–2002)
1997–2017 19,200 1996 Tampa, Florida
Tropicana Field
Thunderdome (1993–1996)
Florida Suncoast Dome (1990–1993)
1991–1996 43,500 1990 St. Petersburg, Florida
Mellon Arena 1987–1990 15,924 1961 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Toronto Phantoms
(2001–2002)
(New England Seawolves)
(1999–2000)
(New York CityHawks)
(1997–1998)
Air Canada Centre 2001–2002 18,819 1999 Toronto
Hartford Civic Center 1999–2000 15,635 1980 Hartford, Connecticut
Madison Square Garden 1997–1998 18,200 1968 New York City
Utah Blaze
(2006–2013)
EnergySolutions Arena
Delta Center (1991–2006)
2006–2008, 2011–2013 14,000 1991 Salt Lake City, Utah
Maverik Center
E Center (1997–2010)
2010 10,100 1997 West Valley City, Utah
Washington Commandos
(1987, 1990)
(Maryland Commandos)
(1989)
Patriot Center 1990 10,000 1958 Fairfax, Virginia
Capital Centre
US Airways Arena (1993–1997)
1987, 1989 18,130 1973 Landover, Maryland

References[]

  1. "2014 Arena Football League Attendance Chart". ArenaFan.com. ArenaFan, Inc.. http://www.arenafan.com/history/?page=yearly&histleague=1&fpage=attendance&year=2014. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  2. "Key dates". ArenaFootball.com. Arena Football League. http://www.arenafootball.com/history/key-dates.html. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
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