The new Athens franchise will compete in the Indoor Football League (IFL) at the brand-new Akins Ford Arena in downtown Athens. The team’s inaugural 2027 season is set to kick off in late March and run through July, with potential playoff games extending into August. Each season will feature a 16-game schedule, including 8 regular-season home games.
The Athens franchise is owned by Athens Sports Entertainment, LLC, a group of community-minded local business leaders. The ownership group features notable sports figures such as Pro Football Hall of Famer and Super Bowl champion Jerome Bettis, College Football Hall of Famer and three-time University of Georgia All-American David Pollack, and former Major League Baseball All-Star and Atlanta Falcon Brian Jordan.
The IFL currently consists of 14 teams across the country, with franchises in markets such as Green Bay, Orlando, Las Vegas, San Antonio, and San Diego. The league also includes several well-known former Arena Football League teams, including the Arizona Rattlers, Iowa Barnstormers, and Jacksonville Sharks. The IFL blends historic tradition with modern entertainment. Played on a 50-yard field surrounded by dasher boards, indoor football features eight players per side, high-octane offense, and non-stop excitement from the opening kickoff to the IFL National Championship.
The IFL represents the highest level of professional indoor football in the United States. Founded in 2009, the league has become the nation’s longest continuously operating indoor football league and ranks as the second-longest-running professional football league overall, behind only the National Football League. Entering its 19th consecutive season in 2027, the IFL has established itself as both a destination for high-level competition and a proven pipeline for talent. Since its inception, more than 350 IFL players have gone on to sign with NFL or CFL teams, reinforcing the league’s reputation as a launchpad for elite professional athletes.
