INSIDER: Breakdown Of The Fight For First In Regular Season Finale and Arena Bowl Format Change

The final regular season week for every sport is always the most exciting, yet crucial period before the postseason. In the Arena Football League, the Albany Empire, Philadelphia Soul, and the Baltimore Brigade are all tied for first place at 7-4.

Here’s a rundown on how one of the three teams can clinch the #1 overall seed.

Philadelphia Soul (7-4) @ Albany Empire (7-4) – Saturday, July 7, 3 pm ET

Empire clinch with a win 

Soul  clinch with a win AND Brigade loss

 

Baltimore Brigade (7-4) @ Washington Valor (1-10) – Saturday, July 7 6 pm ET

Brigade clinch with a win AND Soul loss

 

PLAYOFF FORMAT:

Home and Home Series (Game 1) – Weekend of July 14

            Home and Home Series (Game 2) – Weekend of July 21

*If the teams split Games 1 and 2 and the aggregate score is tied following regulation of the second game, the game will move to a standard overtime period to determine which team will advance. – Per league release

 

Arena Bowl XXXI

The league office also announced that the host of Arena Bowl XXXI (31) will be awarded to the team with the highest home attendance record this season.

Current standings according to 9thMan Nation

Albany Empire – 9,653

Philadelphia Soul – 9,454

Washington Valor – 6,868

Baltimore Brigade – 5,113