Arena Football League expands to 18-game regular season

A year removed from canceling its 2009 season to improve its economic model, the Arena Football League will add four more teams in 2011 and extend its regular season from 16 games to 18 games.

AFL Commissioner Jerry Kurz made the announcement Monday from the league's headquarters in Tulsa, Okla.

Next season the league, which includes the Chicago Rush playing at Allstate Arena, will consist of 19 teams and each will play 18 regular season games, with the option of two preseason games (one home and one away). The change was passed in an ownership vote last week during league meetings in Phoenix, AZ.

"There has never been a better time for the Arena Football League," said Kurz. "The product is exciting, our economic model is sound and fans are demanding affordable family entertainment. Extending our season is a great decision, both from a business and fan perspective."

After playing with 15 teams this past season, the AFL will welcome franchises in Philadelphia, Pittsburg, San Jose and Kansas City. The Philadelphia Soul were the league champions in 2008 before folding as the AFL closed up to rework its economic structure.

"The new 2011 franchises are in key markets with dynamic ownership," added Kurz.

The 2011 season will be the longest in league history. In its 23 years of existence, teams have played as many as 16 games in a season. The league had observed a 16-game schedule since 2003.