The Chicago Politicians met the Rockford Metros at the Rockford MetroCentre on April 27, 1986. The success of this game, and the second test game that took place 10 months later, led to the Arena Football League's inaugural season in 1987.
A list of indoor football's many leagues over the years, and their champions
Full results are not available for leagues that appear here but not under the yearly tabs
XL: Extreme Football League (2004-2006, 2009-2011, 2013-2019, 2022, 2026-)*
AIF: American Indoor Football (2005-2010, 2012-2016, 2024-)**
IFL: Indoor Football League (2009-)
NAL: National Arena League (2017-)
AAL: American Arena League (2018-2021, 2026-)
AAL2: American Arena League 2 (2023-)
TAL: The Arena League (2024-)
GIFL: Gridiron Indoor Football League (2024-)***
WIF: Winter Indoor Football (2024-)
UIFA: United Indoor Football Association (2024-)
GTIFL: Greater Toronto Indoor Football League (2024-)
AF1: Arena Football One (2025-)
USAL: United States Arena League (2025-)
GIAFL: Greatest Indoor Arena Football League (2025-)
TL: The League (2025-)
IAL: International Arena League (2026-)
*Known as the Lingerie Bowl (LB) (2004-2006), Lingerie Football League (LFL) (2009-2011), Legends Football League (2013-2019), and Extreme Football League (XL) (2022, 2026-)
**Known as the Atlantic Indoor Football League (AIFL) (2005), American Indoor Football League (AIFL) (2006), American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) (2007-2010), and American Indoor Football (2012-2016, 2024-)
***Known as the Georgia Indoor Football League (GIFL) (2024), and Gridiron Indoor Football League (GIFL) (2025-)
AFL: Arena Football League (1987-2008, 2010-2019, 2024)
PIFL: Professional Indoor Football League (1998)
IFL: Indoor Football League (1999-2000)
IPFL: Indoor Professional Football League (1999-2001)
AF2: Arena Football 2 (2000-2009)
NIFL: National Indoor Football League (2001-2007)
APFL: American Professional Football League (2003-2013)
InFL: Intense Football League (2004, 2006-2008)
UIF: United Indoor Football (2005-2008)
CIFL: Continental Indoor Football League (2006-2014)
WIFL: World Indoor Football League (2007)
EIFL: Eastern Indoor Football League (2007)
BIFCB: Budweiser Indoor Football Championship Bowl (2007)
IIFA: Independent Indoor Football Alliance (2008-2011)
SIFL: Southern Indoor Football League (2009-2011)
UIFL: Ultimate Indoor Football League (2011-2014); was United Indoor Football League in 2012
MIF: Major Indoor Football (2011-2022); was Major Indoor Football League (MIFL) from 2011-2020
LFLC: Lingerie Football League Canada (2012)
LSFL: Lone Star Football League (2012-2014)
ICFL: Indoor Championship Football League (2012-2014)
PIFL: Professional Indoor Football League (2012-2015)
IGL: Indoor Gridiron League (2012-2014, 2016)
WAFL: Women's Arena Football League (2013)
CPIFL: Champions Professional Indoor Football League (2013-2014)
XLIF: X-League Indoor Football (2014-2015)
BIFL: Baltimore Indoor Football League (2015)
NAIF: North American Indoor Football (2015-2016)
TIGL: Texas Indoor Gridiron League (2015-2016)
CIF: Champions Indoor Football (2015-2023)
MeIFL: Mesquite Indoor Football League (2016-2017)
MPIF: Midwest Professional Indoor Football (2016-2018)
S8AC: Super 8 Arena Championship (2016, 2019)
CAFL: China Arena Football League (2016, 2019)
SIF: Supreme Indoor Football (2017)
APF: Arena Pro Football (2017)
CAIFL: Can-Am Indoor Football League (2017)
USIF: United States Indoor Football (2017)
MAIFL: Mid-Atlantic Indoor Football League (2017-2019)
IFA: Indoor Football Association (2017-2019)
EIF: Elite Indoor Football (2017-2024)
AL: A-League (2019)
NEAL: New England Arena League (2019)
IAFL: International Arena Football League (2019)
DIFL: Dallas Indoor Football League (2019-2020)
AWFC: American West Football Conference (2019-2023)
CL: Covid League (2020)
8MIFL: 8-Man Indoor Football League (2020-2021)
NIF: National Indoor Football (2020-2023); was Impact Developmental Football League (IDFL) in 2020
UAL: United Arena League (2021)
LSS: Lone Star Series (2021)
EAFL: Eastern Arena Football League (2021)
DAF: Dev Arena Football (2021)
FCF: Fan Controlled Football (2021-2022)
AFA: Arena Football Association (2022)
FAL: Federated Arena League (2022)
APFL: Arena Professional Football League (2022)
AIFA: American Indoor Football Alliance (2022-2023)
UIFL: United Indoor Football League (2023)
GLAF: Great Lakes Arena Football (2023-2024)
SIF: Spring Indoor Football (2024)
MAFL: Midwest Arena Football League (2024)
NC8: NorCal 8-Man Indoor Football League (2025)
PAIA: Professional Arena Independent Association (2025)
*=Undefeated
1987
Denver Dynamite (AFL)
1988
Detroit Drive (AFL)
1989
Detroit Drive (AFL)
1990
Detroit Drive (AFL)
1991
Tampa Bay Storm (AFL)
1992
Detroit Drive (AFL)
1993
Tampa Bay Storm (AFL)
1994
Arizona Rattlers (AFL)
1995
Tampa Bay Storm (AFL)
1996
Tampa Bay Storm (AFL)
1997
Arizona Rattlers (AFL)
1998
Orlando Predators (AFL)
Louisiana Bayou Beast (PIFL)
1999
Albany Firebirds (AFL)
Green Bay Bombers (IFL)
Hawaii Hammerheads (IPFL)
2000
Orlando Predators (AFL)
Quad City Steamwheelers (AF2)*
Peoria Pirates (IFL)*
Mississippi Fire Dogs (IPFL)
2001
Grand Rapids Rampage (AFL)
Quad City Steamwheelers (AF2)
Tennessee ThunderCats (IPFL)
Mississippi Fire Dogs (NIFL)
2002
San Jose SaberCats (AFL)
Peoria Pirates (AF2)
Ohio Valley Greyhounds (NIFL)
2003
Tampa Bay Storm (AFL)
Tulsa Talons (AF2)
Ohio Valley Greyhounds (NIFL)*
Kansas Koyotes (APFL)*
2004
San Jose SaberCats (AFL)
Florida Firecats (AF2)
Lexington Horsemen (NIFL)
Kansas Koyotes (APFL)*
Amarillo Dusters (InFL)
Team Dream (LB)*
2005
Colorado Crush (AFL)
Memphis Xplorers (AF2)
Tri-Cities Fever (NIFL)
Kansas Koyotes (APFL)*
Sioux Falls Storm (UIF)
Richmond Bandits (AIFL)
Los Angeles Temptation (LB)*
2006
Chicago Rush (AFL)
Spokane Shock (AF2)
Billings Outlaws (NIFL)
Kansas Koyotes (APFL)
Sioux Falls Storm (UIF)*
Canton Legends (AIFL)
Odessa Roughnecks (InFL)
Port Huron Pirates (GLIFL)*
New York Euphoria (LB)*
2007
San Jose SaberCats (AFL)
Tulsa Talons (AF2)
San Diego Shockwave (NIFL)
Fayetteville Guard (BIFCB)*
Kansas Koyotes (APFL)
Sioux Falls Storm (UIF)*
Lakeland Thunderbolts (AIFA)
Louisiana Swashbucklers (InFL)
Rochester Raiders (CIFL)
Augusta Spartans (WIFL)
Mahoning Valley Hitmen (EIFL)
2008
Philadelphia Soul (AFL)
Tennessee Valley Vipers (AF2)
Kansas Koyotes (APFL)
Sioux Falls Storm (UIF/InFL)
Louisiana Swashbucklers (InFL)
Florence Phantoms (AIFA)
Saginaw Sting (CIFL)
Kaufman County Crunch (IIFA)
2009
Spokane Shock (AF2)
Billings Outlaws (IFL)
Iowa Blackhawks (APFL)
Reading Express (AIFA)
Chicago Slaughter (CIFL)*
North Texas Crunch (IIFA)
Louisiana Swashbucklers (SIFL)
Los Angeles Temptation (LFL)
2010
Spokane Shock (AFL)
Billings Outlaws (IFL)
Iowa Blackhawks (APFL)
Baltimore Mariners (AIFA)*
Cincinnati Commandos (CIFL)
North Texas Crunch (IIFA)
Columbus Lions (SIFL)
Los Angeles Temptation (LFL)*
2011
Jacksonville Sharks (AFL)
Sioux Falls Storm (IFL)
Sioux City Bandits (APFL)*
Albany Panthers (SIFL)
Cincinnati Commandos (CIFL)*
East Texas Wranglers (IIFA)
Saginaw Sting (UIFL)
Bucks County Broncos (MIFL)
Los Angeles Temptation (LFL)
2012
Arizona Rattlers (AFL)
Sioux Falls Storm (IFL)*
Sioux City Bandits (APFL)*
Cape Fear Heroes (AIF)*
Saginaw Sting (CIFL)*
Cincinnati Commandos (UIFL)
Amarillo Venom (LSFL)
Albany Panthers (PIFL)
Virginia Knights (ICFL)
Philadelphia Hornets (IGL)
Steel City Stampede (MIFL)
BC Angels (LFLC)
2013
Arizona Rattlers (AFL)
Sioux Falls Storm (IFL)
North Texas Crunch (APFL)
Wichita Wild (CPIFL)
Harrisburg Stampede (AIF)
Erie Explosion (CIFL)*
Florida Tarpons (UIFL)
Amarillo Venom (LSFL)
Alabama Hammers (PIFL)
Baltimore Vikings (ICFL)
Delaware Buccaneers (IGL)
Philadelphia Hurricanes (MIFL)
Chicago Bliss (LFL)
2014
Arizona Rattlers (AFL)
Sioux Falls Storm (IFL)
Wichita Wild (CPIFL)
Baltimore Mariners (AIF)
Erie Explosion (CIFL)
Corpus Christi Fury (UIFL)*
San Angelo Bandits (LSFL)
Nashville Venom (PIFL)
Florida Marine Raiders (XLIF)
Maryland Raiders (ICFL)
Philadelphia Hawks (IGL)
Steel City Stampede (MIFL)
Chicago Bliss (LFL)*
2015
San Jose SaberCats (AFL)
Sioux Falls Storm (IFL)*
Sioux City Bandits (CIF)
York Capitals (AIF)*
Columbus Lions (PIFL)
Florida Tarpons (XLIF)
Windy City Ravens (NAIF)
Towson Thundercats (BIFL)*
Arlington Longhorns (TIGL- Winter)
Texas Seminoles (TIGL- Summer)
Reading Raptors (MIFL)
Seattle Mist (LFL)
2016
Philadelphia Soul (AFL)
Beijing Lions (CAFL)*
Sioux Falls Storm (IFL)
Wichita Force (CIF)
Columbus Lions (AIF)*
Illinois Renegades (MPIF)
Lagartos Tamps-Mex (NAIF)*
Arlington Longhorns (MeIFL)*
Arlington Longhorns (TIGL)*
Desert Sentinels (S8AC)
New Jersey Nightmare (IGL)
Reading Raptors (MIFL)*
Chicago Bliss (LFL)
2017
Philadelphia Soul (AFL)
Arizona Rattlers (IFL)
Texas Revolution (CIF)
Jacksonville Sharks (NAL)
Richmond Roughriders (APF)*
Vermont Bucks (CAIFL)
Cape Fear Heroes (SIF)
Southern Steam (EIF)
Capital City Reapers (MAIFL)*
Midway Marauders (MPIF)
Madison Mad Dawgs (IFA)*
DFW Snipers (MeIFL)
Myrtle Beach Masters (USIF)*
Reading Raptors (MIFL)*
Seattle Mist (LFL)*
2018
Washington Valor (AFL)
Iowa Barnstormers (IFL)
Carolina Cobras (NAL)
Duke City Gladiators (CIF)
Atlanta Havoc (AAL)
Maryland Eagles (MAIFL)
New England Bobcats (EIF)
West Michigan Ironmen (MPIF)*
Rockford Rams (IFA)*
Reading Raptors (MIFL)*
Chicago Bliss (LFL)*
2019
Albany Empire (AFL)
Sioux Falls Storm (IFL)
Jacksonville Sharks (NAL)
Duke City Gladiators (CIF)
West Virginia Roughriders (AAL)*
Idaho Horsemen (AWFC)*
Southern Steam (EIF)
Reading Raptors (MAIFL)*
New England Cavalry (NEAL)
Football Mexicah (IAFL)*
Gulf Coast Fire (AL)*
Southland Power (IFA)
Duo Sports Thundercats (S8AC)*
Arlington Longhorns (DIFL)*
Wuhan Gators (CAFL)*
Steel City Stampede (MIFL)
Seattle Mist (LFL)
2020
Carolina Predators (CL)
Space Coast Tarheels (EIF)
Arlington Longhorns (DIFL)
Jersey Bearcats (MIFL)*
Garland Wranglers (8MIFL)
2021
Massachusetts Pirates (IFL)
Albany Empire (NAL)
Omaha Beef (CIF)
Tri-City Rush (AWFC)
North Texas Bulls (AAL)
West Texas Warbirds (LSS)*
Wild Aces (FCF)
Georgia-Lina Lions (UAL)
Reading Raptors (EIF)
Central Illinois Royals (NIF)
Berks County Raptors (MIFL - Spring)
Maryland Eagles (MIF - Fall)
Kentuckiana Kurse (EAFL)
Waco Tornadoes (8MIFL)
South Carolina Snipers (DAF)
2022
Northern Arizona Wranglers (IFL)
Albany Empire (NAL)
Salina Liberty (CIF)
Zappers (FCF)
Tri-City Rush (AWFC)*
Charlotte Thunder (APFL)
West Texas Warbirds* & Wichita Force (AFA)
Mississippi Raiders (AIFA)*
Central Illinois Royals (NIF)
Peach State Cats (EIF)*
Palmetto Colts (FAL)
Maryland Eagles (MIF - Spring)*
Chicago Blitz (XL)
2023
Bay Area Panthers (IFL)
Jacksonville Sharks (NAL)
Omaha Beef (CIF)*
Idaho Horsemen (AWFC)
Columbus Lions (AIFA)*
West Michigan Ironmen (GLAF)*
Jersey Bearcats (AAL2)
Indianapolis Enforcers (NIF)
Southern Steam (EIF)
Ohio Boom (UIFL)
2024
Arizona Rattlers (IFL)
Billings Outlaws (AFL)
Omaha Beef (NAL)*
Columbus Lions (AIF)*
Duluth Harbor Monsters (TAL)
Michigan Avengerz (GLAF)
Wheeling Miners (AAL2)*
Carolina Predators (EIF)
North Georgia Blackhawks (GIFL)
Ohio Legends (SIF)
Detroit Bandits (MAFL)*
Pittsburgh Outlaws (WIF)*
Wisconsin Aviators (UIFA)*
Hit Squad (GTIFL)
2025
Vegas Knight Hawks (IFL)
Albany Firebirds (AF1)*
Beaumont Renegades (NAL)
West Michigan Ironmen (AIF)*
Duluth Harbor Monsters (TAL)
Mississippi Wolfpack (AAL2)
Peach State Cats (PAIA)
Main Street 29ers (GIFL)
Valley Savages (NC8)
Hit Squad (GTIFL)*
St. Paul Bears (UIFA)*
Pittsburgh Outlaws (WIF)
Indianapolis Enforcers (USAL)*
Missouri Trojans (TL)*
* = Undefeated