The 2006 Arena Football League (AFL) season was the twentieth season of operation for the professional indoor American football league. The regular season began on January 27, 2006 and concluded with ArenaBowl XX on June 11, 2006.
League composition
- The AFL fielded 18 teams split into two conferences (American and National), each containing two divisions.
- Notable franchises included the Chicago Rush, Orlando Predators, Dallas Desperados, Colorado Crush, Philadelphia Soul, Tampa Bay Storm, New York Dragons, and expansion teams such as the Kansas City Brigade and Utah Blaze.
Regular season
- Teams played a 16‑game schedule.
- The Chicago Rush finished the regular season with the league’s best record at 13–3.
- The Orlando Predators posted a 10–6 record and secured the top seed in the National Conference.
Playoffs
- The postseason comprised conference semifinals, conference finals, and the championship game (ArenaBowl).
- The Chicago Rush defeated the Dallas Desperados in the American Conference final.
- The Orlando Predators overcame the Tampa Bay Storm in the National Conference final.
ArenaBowl XX
- Date: June 11, 2006
- Location: US Airways Center, Phoenix, Arizona
- Result: Chicago Rush 69, Orlando Predators 61
- MVP: Chicago quarterback Matt D’Orazio was named the game's most valuable player.
Notable events
- The 2006 season marked the AFL’s 20th anniversary.
- Expansion continued with the addition of the Kansas City Brigade and Utah Blaze, bringing the league’s total to 18 teams.
- The championship was the first league title for the Chicago Rush franchise.
References
- Arena Football League official archives (2006 season schedule and results).
- Game reports from ArenaFan.com and contemporary news outlets covering ArenaBowl XX.
