SFLm Schedule Released for re-launch

by Cameron Irvine

The SFL Minor League is about to embark on its 8th season with a new schedule format, new teams, new storylines and new rivalries. Earlier this month, the SFL randomly assigned the SFLm's eight teams into two groups of four, for round robin play:

Group 1:

  • Albuquerque Atoms
  • Lexington Miners
  • Nashville Tempo
  • Philadelphia Cougars

Group 2: 

  • Bossier City Steamers
  • Chicago Warriors
  • Pittsburgh Riverhogs
  • San Jose Flight

Those groups will play within themselves the first three weeks of the season and all eight teams will qualify for the playoffs. Teams that have one home game in group play this season will have two home games in group play next season. In order to advance to the double elimination semifinals, seeds 1-4 will host the opening round series and need one win, while seeds 5-8 will need to win on the road to force a winner take all game 2, to be played at the lower seed.

Playoff seeding will be determined first by overall record, followed by head-to-head (or head-to-head group if it applies), followed by point differential. Teams could play a minimum of four games and a maximum of nine games throughout the season, shortened from the previous eight game regular season format due to the SFL's 14-game regular season schedule debuting in Summer 2024.

The SFLm Combine also will return with improvements to its inaugural effort last season, slated for December 13 & 14, showcasing each SFL prospect individually in a variety of in-game situational opportunities.

*All dates and times are subject to change. All times ET

Week 1

Friday November 10

8:00 pm - Philadelphia @ Lexington

8:15 pm - Chicago @ Pittsburgh

10:15 pm - Albuquerque @ Nashville

10:30 pm - San Jose @ Bossier City

Week 2

Friday November 17

8:00 pm - Bossier City @ Chicago

8:15 pm - Philadelphia @ Nashville

10:15 pm - Lexington @ Albuquerque

10:30 pm - Pittsburgh @ San Jose

Week 3

Friday November 24

6:00 pm - Bossier City @ Pittsburgh

6:15 pm - Nashville @ Lexington

8:15 pm - San Jose @ Chicago

8:30 pm - Albuquerque @ Philadelphia 

First Round

Friday December 1

8:00 pm - TBD vs. TBD

8:15 pm - TBD vs. TBD

10:15 pm - TBD vs. TBD

10:30 pm - TBD vs. TBD

First Round, Game 2s (if necessary)

Tuesday December 5

Semifinal Round, Double Elimination

Friday December 8

8:00 pm - TBD vs. TBD

8:15 pm - TBD vs. TBD

SFLm Combine, Days 1 & 2

Wednesday December 13 and Thursday December 14

Semifinal Round, Double Elimination

Friday December 15

8:00 pm - TBD vs. TBD (unbeaten semifinalist advances to Championship as home team)

8:15 pm - TBD vs. TBD (elimination game between two semifinal, leg 1 losers)

Tuesday December 19

8:00 pm - TBD vs. TBD (loser of winner's bracket vs. winner of loser's bracket - advances to Championship as road team)

SFLm Championship Game

Thursday December 28

8:00 pm - TBD vs. TBD

Rookie Draft, Rounds 1 & 2

Friday December 29, 7 pm ET

Rookie Draft, Rounds 3 & 4 (If Necessary)

Saturday December 30, noon ET