National Arena League Champions Crowned

The Southwest Kansas Storm won their first title with a thrilling 42-38 win over the Salina Liberty.  The ending was not good for your blood pressure.  The Storm stopped the Liberty with no time on the clock when Liberty quarterback Tyrie Adams' pass to the right front of the end zone was knocked down to escape with the win.

The top-seeded Storm (11-1) took the lead earlier on a 2-yard pass from Trae Self to Mason Pierce with two seconds left in the game.  The Storm was flagged with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the kickoff return to setup Salina on the Southwest 9-yard line.

The Southwest Kansas Storm, based in Dodge City, Kansas, is in their fifth year of existence having played in fourth different leagues (Champions Indoor Football, Arena Football League, Arena Football One and National Arena League).

The Storm finished the regular season as the number one seed at 9-1.  They had a bye in the quarterfinals then beat Omaha 51-31 in the semifinals to get to the title game.  Salina had close games with a 50-48 win over Colorado in the quarterfinals, 43-41win over Pueblo in the semifinals.

NAL 2026 Season

1. Southwest Kansas Storm (9-1)
2. Pueblo Punishers (7-3)
3. Sioux City Bandits (6-4)
4. Salina Liberty (6-4)
5. Colorado Spartans (5-5)
6. Omaha Beef (5-5)
7. Louisiana Rouxgaroux (1-8)
8. Amarillo Warbirds (1-9)

Quarterfinals

Salina 50, Colorado 48

Omaha 47, Sioux City 36

Bye: Southwest Kansas, Pueblo

Semifinals

Southwest Kansas 51, Omaha 31

Salina 43, Pueblo 41

Championship

Southwest Kansas 42, Salina 38

For more on the National Arena League: https://www.thenationalarenaleague.com/