The IFL has spent the 2026 offseason, a process that started well before the offseason, building up the league with several expansion teams. Every one of those additions either added to a region the league was lacking in or gave veteran franchises regional playing partners. It’s been refreshing to see teams come back south, even two in a single state (Athens and Savannah), but the stated goal of the league by Commissioner Tryon is 24. So why not grab two more for 2028?
We looked around and thought, “What other markets would indoor football work in that makes sense for the IFL?” and the conclusion we came up with would fly in the face of competing leagues, but makes too much sense for the IFL. Let’s take a closer look at two markets the IFL would love to add as they continue to grow in 2028.
Nashville, Tennessee
Possible Venues: Bridgestone Arena or F&M Bank Arena
Past Teams: Nashville Kats (defunct versions) & Venom
Current Teams: Nashville Kats
Why:
You may think, but the AF1 has already secured this market, and ownership is tied to the league as well? Well, the AF1, as we have seen recently, isn’t a bed of roses; things could be better, and the AF1 has not considered the IFL when expanding so why would the IFL extend that courtesy? As the IFL hits its stride, they have to look at a team like Nashville as a home run addition. Whether or not the IFL can get Nashville to consider the move is another story.
With that in mind, we aren’t all that sure the AF1 can keep itself upright through the next few seasons…but that’s beside the point: Adopting the Kats, or a new entity in Tennessee, would bridge the gap between Little Rock and Athens. This would further strengthen the goal of limiting travel for the IFL. The trip from Nashville to Little Rock is just under five and a half hours, compared to over nine for Little Rock to Athens as it currently sits.
It’s also proven that Tennessee loves the Kats, whether they play in Nashville or Clarksville. The fan base comes out to support in droves. As we stated in a previous article, the environment in F&M Bank Arena felt like that of an SEC game in the fall. If you are the IFL, what else could you ask for? A ready-made fan base, in a football-heavy state that fits your southeastern footprint. It couldn’t be planned better. In a perfect situation with the right ownership, you’re looking at a market that could last decades, not just a few seasons.
In a world where you don’t have to create a new franchise and simply get Nashville to come over, whether that be after a collapse or the reason a collapse happens, you claim a region that can easily be branched off. In that event, you have Kentucky, North Alabama and any part of Louisiana or Mississippi that become very reasonable as expansion targets.
It opens up a list of opportunities that you can’t really value with money, more with stability and expansion feasibility. Add in fairly inexpensive Workers’ Comp for Tennessee and the surrounding states, and you have a recipe for success that moves the IFL even closer to their stated goal of 24 teams.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Possible Venues: Heritage Bank Center, Fifth Third Arena.Truist Arena, Cintas Center
Past Teams: Rockers (92-93), Swarm, Marshalls, Jungle Kats, Commandos
Current Teams: Cincinnati Slingers (IAL), Kentucky Barrels(??)(AF1)
Why:
The history of the game of arena and indoor football is rich in Cincy. The market, similar to the Kats, already has an AF1 team (we think?), but the future of that franchise is somewhat in the air and is named for the State of Kentucky. While the IAL and AF1 both have franchises in the area, we do not doubt that any team up to the IFL’s standards could outclass both. If you can manage to combine the right size of venue with even the most low-effort marketing (ignoring the poorly managed attempt by the IAL), Cincinnati would absolutely thrive in the league.
The venues would be a bit of a challenge; while you want the biggest and best, you also have to understand where the sport currently stands and try to have a little reason when approaching this. You could always go for the larger 17,000-seat arena, but it may not work out long term. Unless a team is going to come out of the gate with the same level of fanfare as the Tulsa Oilers or Fishers Freight, you are better off at an arena like the Cintas Center, if it has the ability to play full-size regulation indoor football.
While we recognize that past attempts haven’t lasted all that long, we do see an avenue that lands a long-term franchise; it all needs to stem from the metro. If you manage to bring on the Cincy version of Jerome Bettis and David Pollock, it’s a lock. Ohio fans, no matter the city or level, are a very impressionable bunch that pick up on big names and winners.
Overall, in the current landscape, it would also bridge the northernmost southern teams to the north; in no situation would travel really become a problem for an IFL-based Cincinnati team, as there are 5 different bus trips all under 8 hours, and even Little Rock isn’t much further at just over nine hours. In what situation does that travel not entice Tryon and company?
Any hardcore fan of the arena style nets will scoff at both of these, but at the end of the day the sport will survive with or without them. If the IFL taking over markets for 50-yard football inside of an arena is what it takes for the sport to grow, then we are just fine with it!
These two would add so much to the league, make the league cheaper to operate in, and keep intact markets that genuinely love the sport. If you think we are wrong, think there are other markets primed for a takeover, or ride the Nets ship all the way to the bottom, let us know in the comments, share it out, and tell us what you think!
If you want to really tell us what you think, hop into the live chat on Around the Indoor Football World every Saturday morning where we bring you all the latest news, and rumors from the IFL, NAL, AF1, AAL, and TAL, as well as occasional updates on developmental leagues.
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