The Arena Football League (AFL) returns to Music City this month with a team name known and beloved by many: the Nashville Kats.
The team opens the season at Nashville Municipal Auditorium on Saturday, April 27 against the Minnesota Myth. Today, we’re sharing everything you need to know before the claws come out.
“Play wild as mountain dew”
Let’s play catch up. The first Nashville Kats franchise prowled onto the field in 1997 at Nashville Arena (now Bridgestone Arena) with a name inspired by the 1966 hit “Nashville Cats” by The Lovin’ Spoonful. The team made it to two ArenaBowl appearances, but in 2001, the Kats became the Georgia Force and moved to Atlanta.
After the original team’s departure, the Kats were revived as an expansion team by the late Titans owner Bud Adams. This second incarnation played from 2005 to 2007, and you may recall seeing Tim McGraw during this era, as he was a minority owner. There’s more to the story, but you can relive those memories on the team’s website.
The new Nashville Kats
Fast forward nearly two decades, the Kats are back and rocking a new logo (the vintage logo will serve as an alternate) under the leadership of head coach Dean Cokinos and former Titans coach Jeff Fisher, who is serving as president of football operations.
- Bookmark the schedule so you don’t miss the action at six home games.
- Single-game and season tickets are on sale. Can’t make it to a game? Tune into 102.5 The Game or 93.3 Classic Hits to hear play-by-play broadcaster Eli Gold.
- If you’re going to the season opener, arrive at 5:30 p.m. for the Tailgate Party. Head inside the arena at 7 p.m. for a pre-show performance by Blanco Brown.
- Check the FAQ page for nearby parking options, box office hours, prohibited items, and other tips.
