Indoor Football League Team Coming to Tulsa

The Indoor Football League is returning to Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the first time since 2014. The owner of the new IFL franchise is coming from an unlikely source — a local hockey team.

The Tulsa Oilers, affiliate of the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks and the AHL’s San Diego Gulls, announced the purchase of an IFL franchise on July 26.

At a press conference with Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum, Oilers Owner Andy Scurto and IFL Commissioner Todd Tryon confirmed the IFL’s newest franchise will come to Tulsa.

The Tulsa IFL team will play its eight home games in the BOK Center in downtown Tulsa. Fans and the community will have the chance to help select the name of Tulsa’s newest sports franchise, which begins play in April 2023.

“Tulsa fits all three areas we look for in a new franchise: location, venue and ownership,” Tryon said. “Andy and his team love the city of Tulsa, which has been pretty evident through our vetting process. The IFL got better today with this partnership, and we are more than excited to bring our fast break football to the great city of Tulsa, Oklahoma.”

The IFL is the highest level of professional indoor football in the United States. In 2009, the IFL’s inaugural season, 19 teams competed. More than a decade later, the IFL trails only the NFL in consecutive seasons played at any level of professional football in the United States. Tulsa becomes the 15th current franchise to join the league, which operates coast to coast in 13 states.

“I am thrilled to be bringing an IFL team to Tulsa and the BOK Center,” Scurto said. “This addition will continue the commitment from myself and the Tulsa Oilers to bring great quality entertainment to the Tulsa area and will allow us to stay engaged with our incredible fan base year-round. Indoor Football is fast paced and full of action and I know our fans will love the game. We’re so excited to be part of the Indoor Football League and can’t wait for the next season to start!”

The Tulsa Oilers are asking for your help to select a name for the new franchise. Fans can suggest team names at www.tulsaindoorfootball.com.