ALBANY, N.Y. — The standard in Arena Football One looked unchanged Saturday night. Defending champion Albany opened its 2026 season by overwhelming the Minnesota Monsters 50-23, using a dominant second half to turn a competitive game into a runaway at MVP Arena. Albany led just 21-17 at halftime before seizing control after the break. Quarterback Joshua…
AF1 opens 2026 season with defending champion Albany atop Fan Zone rankings
by Howie Hanson Arena Football One will open its 2026 season this weekend with four games involving eight of its nine teams, an opening slate that immediately tests roster stability, early identity and the league’s competitive balance. The spotlight lands Saturday night in Albany, where the defending champion Firebirds — coming off a 12-0 title…
AF1 Fan Zone: Weekly Power Ratings – Preseason Edition
The AF1 Fan Zone Weekly Power Rankings are out, and if you’ve been waiting to argue about something, this is your moment. Here’s the deal: these rankings aren’t coming from just one voice. They’re an average of ballots from Scott Birk, Howie Hanson, Zach Keilman, and Joshua Cox. Four different viewpoints, one list. As you…
Fan Zone Live! Preseason State of the League with Gary Compton and Jeff Fisher
AF1 Commissioner Jeff Fisher and Director of Football Operations Gary Compton joined Tim and Scott for an in-depth conversation on the state of Arena Football One. Fisher, bringing decades of NFL head coaching experience, shared insight into the league’s direction, growth, and long-term vision, while Compton provided perspective on the football operations that shape the…
The Standard Without Its Star: Albany Faces Life After Castronova
by Howie Hanson The departure of quarterback Sam Castronova to the Houston Gamblers has reshaped the opening weekend narrative for the Albany Firebirds and casts a wider spotlight on roster stability across Arena Football One. Castronova, the league’s most valuable player last season, led Albany to a 12-0 record and championship, establishing the Firebirds as the standard in AF1’s inaugural campaign. His…
Three Champions. One Crown. AF1 2026 Begins
by Howie Hanson Arena Football One opens its 2026 season next weekend with four games that highlight a league led by a clear favorite and a group of challengers still taking shape. Defending champion Albany hosts Minnesota on Saturday in a matchup that serves as an early benchmark. The Firebirds finished 12-0 in 2025 and…
AF1 Announces HomeTeam Network (HTN) as Official Broadcast Production Partner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AF1 Announces HomeTeam Network (HTN) as Official Broadcast Production Partner March 25, 2026 Arena Football One (AF1) is proud to announce HomeTeam Network (HTN) as its official streaming production partner for the upcoming season. Through this agreement, HTN will produce all AF1 streaming broadcasts, delivering a consistent, high-quality viewing experience for fans…
Champions Collide Early: Albany, Minnesota Bring Titles and Tension Into Week 1
by Howie Hanson In a league that survives on noise as much as numbers, the first real collision of the AF1 season may have arrived two weeks early. Not on turf. Not under lights. But in the words. Albany Firebirds head coach Damon Ware heard them — the chatter, the edge, the not-so-subtle tone coming…
Howie’s Preseason Rankings – Albany Doesn’t Just Talk About Winning. It Builds It.
By Howie Hanson There’s a difference between a team that wins and a team that expects to. The Albany Firebirds have crossed that line, and that’s why they’re sitting on top of Arena Football One like it’s their front porch. They went 12–0 last season and didn’t flinch once. Not in the regular season, not in the playoffs, not…
Fan Zone Live! – Special Guest: Miguel Morga of the Washington Wolfpack
Miguel Morga opens up about the Wolfpack’s journey, including the struggles that helped shape the organization today. He shares what’s ahead with a new facility, equipment, stronger community ties, and a local broadcast deal coming this season. It’s a candid and forward-looking conversation you won’t want to miss. Watch the full episode now.
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