Michigan Arsenal Brings Arena Football to Saginaw

Arena football has landed in Saginaw with the debut of the Michigan Arsenal.

The exciting news was recently announced, and football fans in Michigan are buzzing with excitement.

You may or may not know that Michigan has had quite a few arena football teams over the years. Do any of these previous arena football teams ring a bell?

• Detroit Drive
• Flint Phantoms
• Grand Rapids Rampage
• Detroit Fury

The Michigan Arsenal is set to compete in the Arena Football One (AF1) league, with all home games taking place at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw.

As you will see in the ABC 12 video below, Michigan Arsenal owner George Bradford evaluated multiple venues across the Great Lakes State before confidently selecting Saginaw as the team's home base, calling the choice a 'no-brainer.'

According to Michigan Arsenal Coach Shawn Liotta, the goal is to have as many Michigan players on the team as possible.

If you have never been to an arena football game, the rules are not the same as the National Football League.

Arena football has fewer players on the field (eight), the field size is smaller, and the ticket prices are cheaper.

The return of arena football to Michigan is seriously exciting. It is especially good news for Saginaw-area businesses, which are likely to see a real boost from game day crowds and all the local hype that comes with it.

The Michigan Arsenal season kicks off in 2026.