TAL: The Arena League takes a new take on the Indoor game. It’s a 7-a-side game with a unique rule set. The biggest difference being that there isn’t a Goal Post in sight. Similar to the UFL extra points are scored with a one or two-point conversion rather than an extra point kick. Despite the uniqueness of this version, it seems like it is here to stay! There are many key reasons why this league will be here for years to come.
Table of Contents
League Unity:
Late in the Off-season, really the preseason, the league took control of the Eau Claire Axemen. While it wasn’t exactly an ideal situation, it showed a bit of commitment and organization we don’t see in many of the other leagues. Unlike the NAL and AF1 which had several expansion teams get as close as a week out from kick off before folding.
Yes, those are different ownership styles and situations, but the ability to continue the season without a month-long bye week is pivotal to keeping fans engaged. The similar branding style and uniform fields and equipment also give this league a very professional feel.
Quite possibly the biggest difference from other leagues (excluding the IFL) is the stream quality. Each game you watch has real-time updates to the score bugs, smooth graphics, and an entire video crew working the game leading to an almost seamless and extremely watchable game, all for zero cost to the fan.
Ownership:
The way ownership works is also unique, but not a new concept. Each new expansion team is owned by the league and then the owners are sourced. This gives the league a chance to survey, examine, and make sure each franchise is in a sustainable market.
This strategy, in my opinion, provides the league with the ability to vet ownership in depth. In turn you don’t deal with the issues of folding, roster dumps/pregame boycotts, and less than standard equipment and housing for players. Currently, half of the league is league-owned but look for owners for the most exciting and some expansion heading into 2026.
Quality Football:
This part is huge with any startup league, Is the football good? Is there parity? With the TAL I would say yes. Just like other leagues the TAL has everything from former power 5 athletes all the way down to recent Division III grads. Most games end in high-scoring shootouts going down to the last minute or two in nearly every game.
For example, the St Joseph Goats lost a nail-biter to the Woo 73-74, no kicking for the win, just line up and try all you can to put it across the goal line every single play. If you’re an arena rules or indoor rules purist this is not the game for you to get into. Though, if you enjoy heavy offense high high-flying, highlight reel style games then then this is for you. The biggest driver overall is the fact that this version may be the easiest for a casual fan to get into.
Recently the league has even had the opportunity to grab talent from leagues that finish as the TAL is getting kicked off. The best example? Tyler Kulka, the QB who took the Arena Football One by storm with the Nashville Kats. If this league continues on this path of hyper-competitive football and high-quality proven players that ceiling is high.
Facilities:
Solid, well-made dasher boards stand out here, the only league outside of the TAL that has quality fields and boards even close is the IFL. If you get a chance to catch a home game for each team notice that every single team has nearly brand new boards. Not only that but each field is branded at the 25 and the endzones specifically for the team( no used or blank turf) The quality of the fields, boards, and uniforms only adds to the professionalism, something that will keep fans coming back.
Watchability:
As was shown on the lone game from the fourth of July weekend, the Ozark Lunkers had an entire crew working on video and streaming; as does every single team in the league. Not only that but the league’s fan app Fan Clb had a stream along with the home team and the league’s YouTube channels.
This is yet another solution to a problem that gives leagues like the NAL issues on a weekly basis. If fans know for a fact they can catch the game even if they can’t watch in person( and for free) it will only grow the following. If you’re a hardcore fan, each team even sports its well-presented online store, even high-end jerseys. This and live games can be found in the next reason on this list:
Fan Clb:
Some love it, some hate it, but in my opinion, it’s great for fan engagement. Yes, there is a paid version of the app, but even if you’re not paying for it, it’s nice. When you hop into the app it acts as a dashboard where you can find rosters, schedules, and most things a fan wants to see. Even better is the option to watch games in the app.
Did you miss the game but want to see the highlights? There is a tab for that. Want to be updated on the new rules? There’s a video for that. My point? It gives fans and prospective fans the ability to check in and lock in, meaning there is a way better chance they stick around
Cost:
This may be the biggest one of all. Cost-prohibitive moves lead to so many teams folding in year one or two that otherwise could have had a great run. That’s a problem at least for now, the TAL has held off. First being that this league is very regional at the moment, stretching from Arkansas to Minnesota, and all games are only a bus ride.
Adding to the savings in a smaller roster, only playing seven-a-side with no kickers means a roster of only 15 players strong on gameday. Even bigger is the venues, among the 6 teams no one sports a massive 16,000 to 18,000 seat arena, the largest coming in at only 5,300 seats. All this stacks up to about half of what you would have to sink into say, a NAL franchise.
Conclusion
All in all? The Arena League is here to stay, and even if you’re sceptical of the seven-a-side, QB running lane, post-less version of the Indoor game, give it a watch, it might just be the future of the sport!
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