COLUMBUS LIONS JOIN AMERICAN ARENA LEAGUE

Five-Time League Champions Eye New Opportunities

COLUMBUS, GA – The Columbus Lions, founded in 2006 prepare to celebrate their 20th Year as an arena football franchise where they have played every single season in “The Jungle” home of the Lions also known as the Columbus Civic Center located in Columbus, GA. Last season the Lions played in the National Arena League, as one of the founding member teams. Columbus (6-4) finished the 2025 season as a top four team, appearing in the NAL Playoffs where they fell to top ranked Beaumont Renegades 56-45. This offseason the team secured Head Coach Damian Daniels who enters his third season as the head coach of the Columbus Lions.

With many decisions ahead for the storied franchise one of the biggest decisions were made today by officially deciding the teams future league. The Lions Ownership group along with countless hours of collaboration have made the decision to join a new league by signing with the American Arena League (AAL) effective today for the 2026 season. Over 18 years, the team has played in over seven different leagues during their impressive tenure the franchise has won championships in the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL), Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL), 2x- American Indoor Football League (AIF), and the American Indoor Football League Association (AIFA). There is no doubt the Columbus Lions and their fans have their sights set on another championship season in a new league.

The American Arena League (AAL) was founded in 2017 starting their inaugural season in 2018. The league proudly supports its strong regional presence in the eastern United States. Some of its recent champions include familiar opponents including the Wheeling Miners (2024, AAL2). 

We are Proud to enter our 20th year as a franchise competing in the AAL gives us an exciting opportunity to help grow the sport on the East Coast once again. In recent years, league expansions have been focused on regions, leaving us somewhat isolated. With this new opportunity we look forward to building something stronger, more regional, and truly sustainable for the future." Said Co-Owner Kacee Smith.

The 20th Season is a can’t miss for Columbus Lions fans, become a Columbus Lions season ticket holder today Click Here. If you are a local business owner looking to turn Lions Fans into customers Click Here. Looking for a VIP Experience at a Columbus Lions game? Click Here

ABOUT THE COLUMBUS LIONS

Founded in 2007, the Columbus Lions football team is a leader in local sports entertainment, they play all their home games in “The Jungle” formally known as Columbus Civic Center. The Lions organization operates with excellence on and off the field and have a heavy impact on its local community for decades as popular advocates and role models in the Columbus, Georgia area and it’s surrounding communities. If you have any interest in joining the award-winning franchise, visit columbuslions.net