The Kentucky Barrels are Ccoming: Jeff Fisher and AF1 bring Arena Football back to the Bluegrass
For years, Kentucky fans have filled the football void from February to August with recruiting news, spring practice, and countdown clocks. But in 2026, they’ll finally have something tangible to enjoy during those quiet months: the return of Arena Football to the Bluegrass State.
The announcement came from none other than former NFL head coach and current AF1 commissioner Jeff Fisher, who introduced the Kentucky Barrels as one of the league’s expansion franchises.
Arena Football One is coming to Truist Arena here at NKU. The team will be called the Kentucky Barrels and former NFL head coach Jeff Fisher is the commissioner of the league.
— Evan Dennison (@EvanDennison1) August 18, 2025
Games will start in 2026. Story later @Linknky pic.twitter.com/QQKe6ZuTCM
“We are excited for the Barrels to join AF1 for the 2026 season,” Fisher said. “Corey and Coach Walker are hard at work building this team the right way for 2026 and beyond. Kentucky is a great market and we are incredibly honored to bring them professional football.”
For fans who remember, the news brings back memories of the Kentucky Horsemen, who played in AF2 before folding in 2009. That franchise proved there was a hunger for indoor football in the region, even if the league itself eventually crumbled.
This time, the Barrels are set to plant roots in Northern Kentucky. Their home will be Truist Arena, located on the campus of Northern Kentucky University.
“We are excited to welcome arena football to Truist Arena through this exciting partnership,” NKU President Cady Short-Thompson said. “This collaboration brings a new level of energy and entertainment to our campus and community, while showcasing Truist Arena as a premier venue in the region.”
Ownership is in local hands too. NKU alum Corey Cunningham is at the helm, ensuring the franchise stays connected to the community. On the sidelines, the team will be led by Cedric Walker, fresh off guiding the Billings Outlaws to a 2024 championship. Walker brings a winning pedigree and experience that should give the Barrels immediate credibility.
What does this mean for Kentucky sports fans? For one, it eliminates the dreaded spring sports lull after Kentucky’s football season wraps up and before basketball enters March Madness. Arena Football is fast, high-scoring, and fan-friendly — with players often leaping into the stands after touchdowns. The intimacy of the game makes every seat feel close to the action.
If the Barrels deliver even half the energy Fisher is promising, Kentucky could once again become one of the league’s marquee markets. And for fans tired of waiting eight months every year for football to return, this might just be the perfect fix.