text: NAL ANNOUNCES 2018 LEAGUE SCHEDULE - Season to Kick Off April 7th
  Category: News	 Created: Tuesday, 19 December 2017 18:54	 Written by Super User
  ATLANTA, GEORGIA – That National Arena League is proud to announce the release of their 2018 league schedule. The six team, eighteen-week slate of games begins the weekend of April 7th with the regular season ending the weekend of August 4th. The top four teams will qualify for the NAL Playoffs, culminating in the National Arena Bowl the weekend of August 25th. Each may begin their respective training camps exactly three weeks prior to their opening game.
  The season kicks off with two new rivalry games in Week One as the defending Champion Jacksonville Sharks travel to Greensboro, North Carolina to face the expansion Carolina Cobras in their inaugural game. In addition, the local rivalry of the Maine Mammoths and Massachusetts Pirates starts right from the gate with the Pirates first ever home contest inside the DCU Center.
  The Columbus Lions open their 2018 campaign in Week Two with a home contest against their long time rival the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks. The game will be a re-match of the 2017 First Round playoffs where the Lions beat the 'Hawks 52-50. The next week the Lions will host the Sharks in the first rematch of the 2017 NAL Championship game. It will be the first of four meetings between the two.
  Other highlighted games include the Mammoths hosting their first game in team history on April 14th against the Cobras inside the Cross Insurance Arena, the Steelhawks hosting the Sharks for the first time ever on June 30th, and the Pirates traveling to the Lions in Week 13 that could have big playoff implications.
  "We want to thank all of our loyal fans for their patience as we put out the best possible schedule for our 2018 campaign" stated NAL Commissioner Chris Siegfried. "The league put a lot of value into continuing existing rivalries, while helping to establish new ones. We are confident that the level of play across the board with our six teams will make for an action packed year. We can't wait to get started."
  Fans can view the entire 2018 National Arena League schedule, follow league news, and stay up to date on all player transactions by visiting the league website at www.NationalArenaLeague.com
  The National Arena League is set for kick off of its second season in April of 2018. With a playing style resembling traditional arena rules, the NAL will have six member teams spanning from Maine to Florida. For more information regarding expansion opportunities or partnerships, contact Commissioner Chris Siegfried at 407-307-7922 or chris@nationalarenaleague.com or visit www.NationalArenaLeague.com.