Arizona Rattlers fans will have to travel to Las Vegas for IFL championship game if team reaches final
The Arizona Rattlers will no longer be playing in their home arena for the IFL championship after the league entered a three-year partnership with the NHL Vegas Golden Knights and the Dollar Loan Center to play the title game there.
The Indoor Football League announced the deal on Monday to host the IFL National Championship game at the Loan Center in Henderson, Nevada.
That is where the league's newest franchise, the Vegas Knight Hawks (property of the NHL Golden Knights), play their home games. The United Bowl is no longer the name of the championship game.
The championship game, now being called the Dollar Loan Center IFL National Championship, will be played on Aug. 13 at the Dollar Loan Center, which seats 5,567 fans. It is a few miles off the Las Vegas Strip.
Because they had the league's best record the past two IFL seasons, the Rattlers hosted the United Bowl, losing both times, the last of which was last season in overtime at Footprint Center against the team they are hosting this Saturday, the Massachusetts Pirates.
The Rattlers have the best record in the IFL this season at 6-1.
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In the news release, Rattlers coach and team president Kevin Guy called it, "A significant day for the IFL and for Rattlers fans alike."
"This move puts our league directly in the Sports Entertainment Capital of the World," he said in the release. "Las Vegas is a rapidly-growing sports tourism destination that drives in fans from across the globe. We want to be on the biggest stage and give IFL fans a game and experience they will not forget."
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IFL Commissioner Todd Tryon said it's a "giant step" forward for the league.
"We have had a desire to go with a predetermined site for a couple of years now," he said. "Given the location, venue, partnerships, title sponsor of Dollar Loan Center, and a three-year commitment, the timing was now.”
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The Rattlers' three straight ArenaBowl championships came outside of Arizona, two of those on predetermined neutral sites, New Orleans and Orlando. Their lone IFL title came on the road against the Sioux Falls Storm.
They've won six championships, five in the Arena Football League, and only one of those games at home, in 1997 against the Iowa Barnstormers.
To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Rattlers fans will have to travel to Las Vegas for IFL championship
