AF1 Ignites Unprecedented Digital Surge; Week 1 Metrics Shatter All-Time Records

by Ben Nelson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nashville,TN – As the sirens blared and the turf heated up for the start of the 2026 Season, the

fans responded with a clear message: Arena Football is back, and it’s louder than ever.

Today, AF1 leadership is proud to announce record-breaking digital growth and engagement

metrics following a historic Week 1 kickoff.

The data reveals a seismic shift in fan awareness and content consumption, highlighting a

league that has transitioned from a niche favorite to a digital powerhouse.

The Numbers: A New Era of Engagement

The speed at which the AF1 brand is scaling suggests a highly mobilized fan base and an

effective high-energy content strategy. In a year-over-year analysis comparing Week 1 of 2025

to Week 1 of 2026, AF1 has achieved:

● 1,800% increase in Instagram Views.

● 182% increase in Facebook interactions.

● 150% Increase in Watch Hours on YouTube all of 2025 vs 4 months into 2026.

Our YouTube presence has achieved a monumental milestone. While AF1 recorded a total of

2,176.5 watch hours for the entire year of 2025, the league has already reached 5,605 watch

hours by mid-April 2026, surpassing the previous yearly total by over 150% in just the opening

weeks of the season. Instagram also exhibited 177% growth in followership comparing Week 1,

2025 to Week 1, 2026.

Commissioner Fisher Noted:

"Obviously, we are very excited about the amazing early successes in our fan

engagement as evidenced by these numbers," Fisher said. "We have placed a

determined effort to expand this reach on a variety of platforms and, so far, these

numbers are indicative of our push. And we certainly have realistic expectations that

these numbers will only continue to grow."

CEO Kurz Mentioned:

"Seeing this level of growth in such a short period of time is a reflection of the passion

and energy of our fan base," noted Kurz. "We don't take that support for granted. Our

focus every day is to listen, adapt, and deliver the kind of fast-paced, engaging content

our fans want whether that's on social media, streaming platforms, or in arenas."

About AF1& How to Watch

AF1 is the premier arena football league dedicated to delivering fast-paced, high-scoring

professional football. With a focus on fan proximity and community engagement, AF1 brings the

game closer to the people.

Tune in every weekend to www.theaf1.com to watch every game and follow us on social media

to stay up to date with all things AF1.

Media Contact:

Jared DeGroff - VP of Marketing and Communications

Contact Email: jdegroff@theaf1.com

Website: https://www.theaf1.com/