Grand Rapids Is Getting ANOTHER Sports Team In 2026

Grand Rapids is in a time of rapid growth. We have a brand new outdoor amphitheater actively being built (even in the snow!), plans for a brand new soccer stadium and soccer team has been approved, and in the last three years, the city has gained both a men's basketball team AND a women's volleyball team. There's been a lot happening around the city, and it won't slow down anytime soon.

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Recently, I was at a Grand Rapids Griffins hockey game and noticed a Grand Rapids Rampage banner in the rafters and was reminded of the old arena football team that used to dominate the sport. So, I did a little search to relive the glory days and was shocked to learn that the GR Rampage and its sick logo are coming back.

⬇️ VIEW MICHIGAN SPORTS TEAMS THAT NO LONGER EXIST⬇️

Grand Rapids Rampage: A Look Back

The Grand Rapids Rampage was an arena football team that played at the Van Andel Arena from 1998 to 2008, winning the championship in 2001. At its height, the Rampage averaged 9,500 fans a game, with games being broadcast on ABC. The Rampage was a member of the Arena Football League (AFL), but the AFL as a whole declared bankruptcy in 2019.

Grand Rapids Rampage: Going Forward

However, a new league, the National Gridiron League (NGL), was announced in 2024, with 2025 as the inaugural season. However, in a press release posted on January 20th, the team recently said that they will no longer be taking part in the inaugural season, instead making their premier in 2026.

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The reason for this was that the NGL wants to "strengthen the league's long-term stability and expansion". This is probably for the best, as it will allow hype to build for the league before an established team like the Rampage makes its return. Details about the team are scant. A venue has not been announced for the team's games yet, which the Rampage look to solidify sometime this year.

Arena Football Rules

You can view the full rules here, but these are the highlights:

• 8 players per side
• 50-yard field with 8-yard endzones
• No punting
• Only one linebacker may blitz
• The Net is in play at all times
• It is a continuous clock except in the final 1:00 of each half
• Forward motion permitted for one receiver.

Overall, there has not been much buzz about this team returning, so it remains to be seen how popular the sport will be and whether this is a sport that is really returning to the city. Considering how little information has been released about this team returning, it's probably best to cross your fingers that more news comes out soon. If the Rampage does return, Grand Rapids will have football, baseball, soccer, basketball, hockey, and volleyball. Not a bad repertoire.