Tampa Bay Storm
Arena Football

The Tampa Bay Storm is Tampa Bay’s World champion Arena Football team. 

This team exemplifies winning with 5 Arena World Championships, the most of any team in the league.

They are one of the four original teams that started the Arena Football League in 1987.  The Storm began as the Pittsburgh Gladiators. 

The team moved to Tampa in 1991 and given the nickname "Storm" replacing the "Gladiators" nickname.

Since their existence the Tampa Bay Storm have made the playoffs every year except one.

If you have never been to an arena football game I would definitely suggest you giving it a try.

Arena Football vs. NFL

Arena football season runs from the beginning of March to around July.  This is outside of the NFL football season so it is a good way to satisfy your football needs until the NFL starts again.

I must say that not everyone is able to get into Arena football.  Some don’t want to take the time to get to know the players, while others are bothered by the rules that are different from the NFL.

The most notable differences in the rules are

• Games are played with 8 men on the field per team instead of 11
• Football field is 50 yards instead of 100 yards
• The field is padded on the sidelines all around the field

While some are not able to get into it, Arena football has actually built a niche of loyal followers over the years.

Many people enjoy the fast paced nature of the game better than the NFL.  With scores in the 50s and 60s there is constant action throughout the game.

Adjusting to Rules

Now I must admit that it did take me some time to get used to some things.  When I first attended a game I had a hard time adjusting to the short field.  Touchdowns seem like a hop, skip, and a jump away on 50 yard fields.

Once your mind adjusts to the small boxed in field then you can start to enjoy the action better.  I had adjusted to the difference by around the 3^rd quarter.

The Tampa Bay Storm play all of their games at the St. Pete Times Forum.  This is the same place where the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team has its games.

Be advised to bring a jacket, a coat, a blanket or anything that you can find to keep warm.  The couple of games that I attended it was very, very chilly inside.  I guess the ice under the field was the reason for this.

My wife and I found ourselves going outside of the forum what seemed to be every 20 minutes or so just to warm up.

Overall, I enjoyed the Tamp Bay Storm games.  I seemed to enjoy it more as I came to know who the stars were on the team.

Also because teams are able to score so quickly teams can quickly overcome deficits to make come backs at the end of the game. 

This really keeps you on the edge of your seat because anything can happen.

Tickets to the games can be purchased online via the Tampa Bay Storm website.