Arena Football Tryouts 2027: Open Tryouts, Teams, Dates & Registration
Last updated: November 4, 2026
Looking for arena football tryouts in 2027? Several professional indoor and arena football teams are recruiting players for the upcoming season, with open tryouts, free-agent evaluations, and scouting opportunities taking place across the United States.
You don't necessarily need to be drafted by the NFL to pursue professional football. Arena football teams recruit athletes from college programs, other professional leagues, and competitive football backgrounds.
Below are announced tryouts for the 2027 season, including dates, locations, fees, and official registration links.
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Upcoming Arena Football Tryouts for 2027
1. Michigan Raptors — November 5, 2026
League: Arena Football One (AF1)
Location: Flint, Michigan
Tryout details:
Date: Thursday, November 5, 2026
Venue: 810 Sports Complex
Address: 1160 S. Elms Road, Flint, MI 48532
Check-in: 7:00 PM
Tryout ends: 10:30 PM
Purpose: Player evaluation for the 2027 season
The Michigan Raptors announced a series of five tryouts to identify players for their 2027 roster.
The Flint event is their second scheduled tryout, with additional evaluations expected afterward.
Registration: Michigan Raptors Official Website
Announcement: Michigan Raptors 2027 Tryout Information
2. New Jersey Eagles — November 2026
Team: New Jersey Eagles
Location: Atlantic Fieldhouse, New Jersey
Tryout details:
Expected period: Early November 2026
Exact date: Provided through the team's registration process
Minimum age: 18
Advance registration: $45
Day-of registration: $60
Evaluation: 40-yard sprint, positional drills, and football simulations
The New Jersey Eagles are recruiting athletes for their 2027 arena football season.
The team requires a competitive football background, valid identification, and medical clearance documentation.
Players should confirm the exact event date and venue details before traveling.
Registration: New Jersey Eagles Player Registration
3. Texas Wild Hogs — November 2026 and January 2027
League: American Arena League (AAL)
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Tryout details:
Announced tryout periods: October 2026, November 2026, and January 2027
Exact upcoming dates: Confirm with the club
Purpose: Recruiting players for the 2027 season
Registration: Available through the club's official website
The Texas Wild Hogs are an expansion franchise preparing for their first American Arena League season in 2027.
The organization has announced multiple tryout opportunities as it builds its inaugural roster.
Registration: Texas Wild Hogs Official Website
Player application: Texas Wild Hogs Tryout Registration
4. Arena Football One — National Showcase
League: Arena Football One (AF1)
Location: Naples, Florida
Arena Football One maintains an official tryouts page that lists a national scouting showcase organized with the National Scouting Combine.
The page identifies February 5–7 as the event dates, but the available listing does not clearly establish the year. Players should verify the event year and registration status before making arrangements.
Official information: Arena Football One Tryouts
Recently Completed Arena Football Tryouts
These events have already taken place but are useful examples of teams actively recruiting for the 2027 season.
Louisiana Rouxgaroux — October 24, 2026
League: National Arena League (NAL)
Location: Shreveport, Louisiana
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Venue: D1 Training
Address: 727 American Way, Shreveport, LA 71106
Time: 3:00 PM
Fee: $50
Purpose: Evaluation for potential invitations to 2027 training camp
Official team page: Louisiana Rouxgaroux Tryouts
Columbus Lions — October 31, 2026
Location: Columbus, Georgia
Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
Venue: St. Anne-Pacelli High School Football Field
Address: 202 Kay Circle, Columbus, GA 31907
Registration: 8:00 AM
Tryouts: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Fee: $75
Positions: All positions
Official team website: Columbus Lions
Which Arena Football Leagues Hold Open Tryouts?
There isn't just one arena football league in the United States. Multiple organizations operate independently, and each has its own recruiting process.
Indoor Football League (IFL)
The IFL is an established indoor professional football league. Teams may organize their own open tryouts and scouting evaluations.
For upcoming IFL opportunities, see our separate guide to IFL Tryouts 2027.
Arena Football One (AF1)
Arena Football One is another professional arena football organization.
AF1 officially opened its 2027 free-agency period on October 7, 2026, allowing teams to begin recruiting and signing players for the upcoming season.
Players can monitor individual clubs for tryouts, showcases, and free-agent opportunities.
Official website: Arena Football One
National Arena League (NAL)
The National Arena League features professional arena football teams that recruit through team-specific tryouts and other scouting processes.
The Louisiana Rouxgaroux are one example of a NAL team that has held open evaluations for the 2027 season.
American Arena League (AAL)
The American Arena League has announced expansion activity for 2027, including the Texas Wild Hogs.
Teams may organize their own player tryouts, while league announcements can help athletes identify upcoming recruiting opportunities.
Official website: American Arena League
How to Try Out for a Professional Arena Football Team
Step 1: Find Teams Recruiting for 2027
Start by researching the leagues and identifying teams actively building their rosters.
Look for announcements containing phrases such as:
Arena football open tryouts
Professional indoor football tryouts
Arena football free-agent workouts
2027 arena football player registration
Arena football scouting combines
Prioritize announcements published by the team or league itself.
Step 2: Register Through the Official Team Website
Most publicly advertised tryouts require some form of registration.
Depending on the organization, you may need to provide your playing position, age, height, weight, football experience, and contact details.
Some teams charge a registration fee.
Always confirm the organizer and event details before submitting payment.
Step 3: Prepare for Athletic Testing
Arena football teams frequently evaluate speed, agility, explosiveness, and position-specific football skills.
Depending on the event, testing may include:
40-yard dash
Short shuttle
Position drills
One-on-one competitions
Football movement and agility drills
Live-action football simulations
Not every tryout uses the same testing format.
Step 4: Prepare Your Football Film
Even when attending an open tryout, having recent football footage can help demonstrate your playing ability.
A useful player profile includes:
Full name and playing position
Height and weight
Previous college or professional teams
Recent game highlights
Full-game footage
Athletic testing results
Current contact information
Keep your strongest plays near the beginning of your highlight video.
Step 5: Follow Up Through Official Recruiting Channels
Attending a tryout is only one way to seek a professional opportunity.
Teams may also evaluate players through film submissions, scouting networks, and direct recruiting.
When contacting a team, keep your message short and professional. Include your position, playing background, and a link to your football film.
Can You Play Arena Football Without Playing Division I College Football?
A Division I football background is not necessarily required to pursue arena football.
Some organizations accept players from different competitive football backgrounds, including smaller college programs and other football leagues.
However, each team sets its own eligibility standards and determines which players it wants to evaluate.
The New Jersey Eagles, for example, advertise eligibility beginning at age 18 and require at least a high school varsity-level competitive football background.
Meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection.
How Much Do Arena Football Tryouts Cost?
Fees vary by team and event.
Recent published examples include:
Louisiana Rouxgaroux: $50
Columbus Lions: $75
New Jersey Eagles: $45 advance registration or $60 on the day
Some events may charge more, particularly if they include additional scouting services or video packages.
Players should also budget for travel, lodging, transportation, and equipment.
Can Arena Football Lead to the NFL, CFL, or UFL?
Arena football can provide an opportunity to continue playing competitively, develop professional experience, and produce additional game footage.
However, there is no guaranteed pathway from an arena football roster to the NFL, CFL, or UFL.
Players pursuing higher levels should continue researching recruiting requirements, scouting opportunities, and official evaluation processes for those leagues.
Get Early Access to Professional Football Team Contacts
Finding professional football tryouts can be difficult, especially when teams announce opportunities through different websites and social media accounts.
Cancha Labs is exploring a searchable professional football contact directory designed to help athletes identify team personnel and reach out directly.
We're researching contacts across:
Indoor Football League (IFL)
Arena Football One (AF1) and other arena leagues
United Football League (UFL)
Canadian Football League (CFL)
National Football League (NFL)
Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional (LFA Mexico)
Join the Cancha Labs Football Waitlist
Sign up for early access and receive a founding-member offer of 50% off your first month when the directory launches.
Cancha Labs is an independent platform and is not affiliated with the leagues or teams listed above. Directory access does not guarantee a tryout, contract, roster position, or professional opportunity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there arena football tryouts in 2027?
Yes. The Texas Wild Hogs have announced a January 2027 tryout period. Other teams are conducting evaluations during late 2026 to build their 2027 rosters.
Can anyone try out for arena football?
Eligibility varies by organization. Some teams advertise open registration for eligible adult athletes, while others have additional playing experience or documentation requirements.
How do I find arena football tryouts near me?
Check official team websites, league announcements, and regional football scouting events. Confirm the event's location, date, and eligibility requirements before registering.
Do arena football players get paid?
Professional arena football organizations may compensate rostered players, but pay, contracts, housing, and other benefits vary by league and team. Ask the organization directly about its terms.
Do I need an agent to try out for arena football?
An agent is not necessarily required for publicly advertised open tryouts. Some players register directly with teams, while others pursue opportunities through agents or scouting networks.
What's the difference between arena football and indoor football?
Both are played indoors on smaller fields than traditional outdoor American football. However, field dimensions, rules, roster sizes, and league structures can differ.
Where can I register for professional arena football tryouts?
Start with the official team registration pages listed above. Avoid paying third-party organizers without verifying that the event is authorized by the team.