The AFL’s Arena Bowl XXXIII was held at an unexpected venue this weekend, kicking off at a shopping mall with an impressive crowd overhead.
The championship game of the relaunched AFL was played between the Albany Firebirds and Billings Outlaws on Friday night, with the American Dream Mall in Rutherford, New Jersey, playing host.
The mall, a 3,000,000-square-foot retail and entertainment location, is close to MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Jets and New York Giants. It is also the second-largest shopping mall in the United States and boasts 450 stores.
The AFL took over the large space, which usually features an ice rink, with the Outlaws winning 45-40.
Billings, which has competed in other indoor professional leagues, claimed its first-ever AFL title with yesterday’s win.
You can check out some videos from what was one of the most unique football events of recent times right below:
What opening kickoff looks like from inside American Dream shopping mall.
ArenaBowl XXXIII pic.twitter.com/p4YVOSFx74
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) July 19, 2024
“A site for a championship game unlike anything we’ve ever seen.”
ArenaBowl XXXIII from American Dream mall starts right now on CBS Sports Network! pic.twitter.com/MVaFrEHvuf
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) July 19, 2024
The AFL’s Arena Bowl (championship game) is being played tonight inside the American Dream Mall in NJ.
📷: @joefav pic.twitter.com/8s3OcKQPKz
— FB_Helmet_Guy (@FB_Helmet_Guy) July 19, 2024
Might The Arena Bowl Be Played From Odd Clocations Moving Forward?
It must have been great for the fans in attendance to watch a legitimate football game in the comfort of a shopping mall. The AFL just might make it a thing and continue hosting its title games in malls or other unique venues.
We’ll have to wait and see.
Meanwhile, wide receiver Duane Brown gave an impressive account of himself, making five touchdown receptions for the Outlaws.
“I love this team,” he said after the win. “We had a goal coming into this, and — as long as we executed —I knew we could get it done, and just so happy we were able to.”
