What Is 2017 Indoor Football League season

Overview

The 2017 Indoor Football League (IFL) season marked the league’s 19th year of operation and featured a competitive 14-week regular season. Ten professional teams participated, divided into the United Conference and Intense Conference, playing under modified indoor football rules designed for faster-paced action on a 50-yard field.

This season was notable for the continued dominance of the Arizona Rattlers, who transitioned from the Arena Football League to the IFL in 2017. The league maintained its reputation for high-scoring games and regional fan engagement, with teams located in mid-sized U.S. cities from Arizona to Nebraska.

• March 18, 2017 marked the official start of the regular season, with multiple games kicking off the campaign across different time zones.
• Each team played 14 regular-season games, a balanced schedule allowing for two intra-division games and one inter-conference matchup per team.
• The postseason included four teams—the top two from each conference—advancing to semifinal matchups before the United Bowl.
• United Bowl XXIX was held on July 8, 2017, at the Phoenix Convention Center, where the Arizona Rattlers hosted due to best overall record.
• The Arizona Rattlers finished the regular season with a 12–2 record, the best in the league, earning them home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

How It Works

The IFL operates with a unique blend of arena-style rules and regional team structures, designed to keep costs manageable while maximizing entertainment value. The 2017 season followed a structured format that emphasized parity and fan accessibility.

• Regular Season Structure: The season spanned 14 weeks, from mid-March to early July, allowing teams to avoid overlapping with major outdoor football leagues.
• Game Format: Each game lasted four 15-minute quarters on a 50-yard indoor field with rebound nets, promoting faster scoring and continuous play.
• Player Roster Rules: Teams carried 20 active players per game, with strict salary caps to ensure competitive balance across the league.
• Scoring System: The IFL used standard indoor football scoring, including 6 points for touchdowns, 1 or 2-point conversions, and 3 points for field goals.
• Postseason Qualification: The top two teams from each conference—United and Intense—advanced to the semifinals based on win-loss records and tiebreakers.
• Championship Game: The United Bowl, hosted by the higher-seeded team, determined the league champion and awarded the United Bowl Trophy.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2017 IFL season can be better understood when compared to previous years and peer leagues in terms of structure, attendance, and scoring trends.

The data shows a steady expansion in team count and scoring output. The 2017 season saw the highest average points per game at 112.7, reflecting increased offensive efficiency and rule consistency. The addition of two new teams expanded the league’s footprint and competitiveness, setting a precedent for future growth.

Why It Matters

The 2017 IFL season was pivotal in establishing the league as a stable alternative to larger arena football organizations amid the AFL’s instability. It demonstrated the viability of regional professional football with sustainable operations and passionate fan bases.

• The entry of the Arizona Rattlers, a former AFL powerhouse, boosted the league’s credibility and media visibility.
• Television partnerships with ESPN3 allowed select games to be streamed nationally, increasing exposure.
• The season averaged 4,200 fans per game, with Phoenix drawing over 8,000 for playoff matchups.
• Player development pipelines improved, with 12 IFL athletes signing NFL or CFL contracts post-season.
• The league maintained a 95% on-time game completion rate, highlighting operational reliability.
• Revenue sharing and capped salaries helped 8 of 10 teams remain profitable in 2017.

Overall, the 2017 season laid the foundation for future expansion and long-term sustainability in indoor football, proving that smaller-market teams could thrive with strong local support and efficient management.