AFL Announces the 2017 Schedule
League’s 30th season kicks off April 7th
LAS VEGAS (January 5, 2017) – The Arena Football League’s 30th Anniversary Season is set to
kick off on Friday, April 7, as the 2017 AFL schedule was officially released today. Expansion
teams will kick off the season at Verizon Center when the Washington Valor host Baltimore on
Friday, April 7 at 7 p.m. ET.
The Cleveland Gladiators, Philadelphia Soul, Tampa Bay Storm, Washington Valor and the
soon-to-be-named Baltimore team will comprise the roster of teams in 2017 with each playing 14
games and receiving four byes during the 18-week regular season. The AFL elected to reduce to a
14-game schedule for the 2017 with the goal of returning to between 16 and 18 games in the
future.
“Although it’s our 30th season, in many ways 2017 represents a new beginning for the AFL. We
are fortunate to have incredibly loyal and enthusiastic fans who really enjoy the excitement of
Arena Football,” AFL Commissioner Scott C. Butera said. “We believe this community deserves
teams run by the best in class professional sports organizations who are truly dedicated to the
success of their teams and enjoyment of their fan base. For the first time, our league represents
just that. We are also excited to introduce two new cities in Washington and Baltimore and expect
many more to come in the upcoming seasons.”
The defending ArenaBowl champion Philadelphia Soul will begin their title defense on Saturday,
April 15 when they travel to play the Tampa Bay Storm at Amalie Arena at 7 p.m. The AFL will
be announcing its broadcast schedule in the near future.
