Shop Arena Football League

The Arena Football League Collection — Royal Retros AFL Fan Shop

Authentic AFL Throwbacks. Custom Names & Numbers. Sizes S–5XL. Every Era, Every Team.

Royal Retros carries the most comprehensive officially licensed Arena Football League (AFL) throwback collection on the web — authentic jerseys, hats, T-shirts, hoodies, and apparel for every era of the original AFL (1987–2008, 2010–2019). From Tampa Bay Storm dynasty gear to Iowa Barnstormers Kurt Warner-era throwbacks, from Philadelphia Soul ArenaBowl champions to Albany Firebirds and Orlando Predators classics — every AFL franchise is represented. Custom name and number available on most jerseys. Period-correct construction in sizes Small through 5XL. If you grew up on AFL Sundays, this is your shop.

What You Can Shop in the AFL Collection

AFL Jerseys — Authentic Arena Football League replica and custom jerseys for every franchise across the league's three-decade run. Period-correct color palettes, logos, and lettering style. Custom name and number on most styles — make a Storm, Predators, Firebirds, or Soul jersey your own.

AFL Hats — Snapback, fitted, flex, and unstructured hat styles with AFL team logos and league branding.

AFL T-Shirts — Soft, premium cotton tees representing every AFL team and championship year. Pre-shrunk, tagless, sized for comfort.

AFL Hoodies & Sweatshirts — Year-round AFL team apparel. Heavyweight cotton blends, period-correct embroidery and screen printing.

Customization — Most AFL jerseys can be personalized with your name and number. Free customization on eligible items — look for the "Custom" option. Custom items are final sale.

Sizes — Small through 5XL on virtually every product. No big & tall upcharge.

Shop by Marquee AFL Team

Tampa Bay Storm — One of the most successful franchises in AFL history. Multiple ArenaBowl championships and a sustained run as one of the league's top draws. Authentic Tampa Bay Storm AFL throwback jerseys, hats, and apparel. Shop the Tampa Bay Storm collection.

Albany Firebirds — One of the AFL's most popular Northeast franchises through the 1990s and early 2000s. Authentic Albany Firebirds AFL jerseys, hats, and apparel.

Iowa Barnstormers — The franchise that gave Kurt Warner his start before he won Super Bowl XXXIV with the St. Louis Rams. Authentic Iowa Barnstormers AFL throwback gear.

Philadelphia Soul — Co-owned by Jon Bon Jovi, the Soul won the 2008 ArenaBowl and were one of the AFL's most marketable franchises. Authentic Philadelphia Soul AFL jerseys and apparel.

Orlando Predators — One of the AFL's longest-running franchises, perennial contenders through the 1990s and 2000s. Authentic Orlando Predators jerseys, hats, T-shirts, and apparel.

Plus more AFL franchises: Chicago Rush, Arizona Rattlers, San Jose SaberCats, Columbus Destroyers, Dallas Desperados, Las Vegas Posse, Detroit Drive, New Orleans Night, Pittsburgh Power, Cleveland Gladiators, New York Dragons, and more. If a team played in the original AFL, we carry their gear.

Why Royal Retros Is the Home of AFL Throwback Gear

Royal Retros built its reputation on covering the leagues mainstream sports stores forget — and the original AFL is one of the most beloved of those leagues. Here's what sets our AFL collection apart at retail:

• Multi-era AFL coverage. 1987–2008, 2010–2019 — every era of the original Arena Football League is represented in the collection.
• Officially licensed. Every product is produced under proper AFL-era licensing.
• Free customization on most jerseys. Your name, your number, on a 1990s or 2000s AFL throwback.
• Sizes Small through 5XL. No big & tall upcharge.
• Marquee teams plus deep cuts. The Tampa Bay Storm and Philadelphia Soul are stocked in depth, but so are short-lived AFL franchises that other retailers ignore.

Quick Buying Questions

What sizes do AFL jerseys come in?

Small through 5XL on virtually every jersey style. Hats are typically one-size-fits-most or fitted in standard cap sizes.

Can I customize an AFL jersey?

Yes — most styles offer free customization. Look for the "Custom" option. Custom items are final sale and ship within 7–10 business days.

Are these officially licensed AFL products?

Yes — every product is produced under proper Arena Football League licensing.

What materials are AFL jerseys made from?

Sublimated polyester on most modern AFL replica jerseys (matching the on-field look), heavyweight twill on classic styles, and premium cotton on T-shirts.

How fast does it ship and what's the return policy?

Standard products ship within 3–5 business days. Custom items ship within 7–10 business days. Custom items are final sale. Standard items follow our return policy at /pages/returns.

What Was the Arena Football League?

The Arena Football League (AFL) was the dominant indoor professional football league in the United States from 1987 through 2019. Founded by Jim Foster in 1987, the AFL pioneered the indoor 50-yard-field, eight-on-eight, padded-sideline-walls version of football that became the template for every indoor football league that followed. The league's signature combination of high scoring, fan-friendly arenas, and accessible ticket prices built a passionate fanbase across cities the NFL had never reached and made the AFL one of the most beloved alternative football leagues in U.S. history.

The original AFL operated continuously from 1987 through 2008, paused for the 2009 season due to financial difficulties, restarted in 2010 under new ownership and structure, and continued through 2019 before closing for good. Across that thirty-year run, dozens of franchises came and went, dozens of players moved on to NFL careers, and the indoor game built an institutional footprint in U.S. football that no league before or since has matched.

The History of the AFL — A Quick Overview

The Founding (1986–1987). Jim Foster, a former NFL marketing executive, conceived the AFL in 1981 while watching an indoor soccer match at Madison Square Garden. He spent years developing the rules, securing investors, and assembling charter franchises before the league launched in 1987 with four teams: Pittsburgh Gladiators, Washington Commandos, Denver Dynamite, and Chicago Bruisers. Denver Dynamite won the inaugural ArenaBowl.

The Growth Era (1988–1999). The AFL expanded steadily through the late 1980s and 1990s, adding franchises in Detroit, Tampa Bay, Albany, Orlando, Iowa, Arizona, San Jose, and dozens of other cities. Tampa Bay Storm and Detroit Drive became dynastic franchises. Kurt Warner played for the Iowa Barnstormers in 1995–1997 before his NFL breakthrough.

The NBC Era (2003–2007). NBC signed a national broadcast deal with the AFL, raising the league's profile and attracting celebrity ownership — most famously, Jon Bon Jovi's involvement with the Philadelphia Soul.

The 2009 Pause and Restart (2009–2010). The original AFL canceled its 2009 season due to financial difficulties. The league restructured under new ownership in 2010 and resumed play with reduced overhead.

The 2010s and Final Closure (2010–2019). The AFL continued operating through 2019, contracting from a peak of 17 teams to a final season of just six. The league suspended operations in 2019, and arena football's institutional torch eventually passed to AF1 (Arena Football One) in 2024.

The Greatest Players of the AFL — Players Who Defined the League

Kurt Warner. The most famous AFL alumnus. Warner played for the Iowa Barnstormers from 1995 through 1997 before the St. Louis Rams gave him an NFL chance. He went on to win Super Bowl XXXIV, two NFL MVPs, and earn induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His Iowa Barnstormers years are an essential part of his story.

Eddie Brown, Aaron Garcia, Sherdrick Bonner, Damon Mason. AFL career touchdown and yardage leaders — career arena football players who never reached the NFL but defined the league's competitive standard.

Jay Gruden. The future NFL head coach (Washington, Cincinnati offensive coordinator) won multiple ArenaBowls as the Tampa Bay Storm quarterback in the 1990s.

Tommy Maddox. The XFL MVP and Pittsburgh Steelers starter played quarterback in the AFL during his between-leagues years.

The Cultural Legacy of the AFL

The Arena Football League proved that American football didn't have to be limited to the NFL or to outdoor stadiums. The AFL's indoor, fan-accessible, high-scoring product built devoted local followings in cities the NFL had ignored — and demonstrated that football could thrive in basketball arenas across the country. AF1, IFL, and every other modern indoor football league owes its existence to what the AFL built.

Wearing AFL throwback gear is honoring that history. The original AFL was real, it mattered, and Royal Retros is here to make sure no fan who wants to celebrate it has to settle for a generic shirt. Authentic. Period-correct. Every team. That's the AFL collection.

Frequently Asked Questions About the AFL

When did the AFL operate?

The original Arena Football League operated 1987–2008 (continuous), paused for the 2009 season, and continued 2010–2019. Total: 31 seasons across 32 calendar years.

Who won the most ArenaBowls?

The Tampa Bay Storm and Arizona Rattlers are the two most-decorated AFL franchises by championships. The Storm won five ArenaBowls; the Rattlers won five (including a three-peat 2012–2014).

Is AFL the same as AF1?

No — they are distinct leagues. The original AFL closed in 2019. AF1 (Arena Football One) is a new league that launched in 2024 and brought back classic AFL franchise names like the Albany Firebirds and Nashville Kats under new ownership.

What's the difference between AFL and AF2?

The AFL was the major arena football league. AF2 was the AFL's developmental league, operating from 2000 to 2009. AF2 graduates often moved up to the AFL.

Shop by Team — The Complete AFL Collection

• Albany Firebirds
• Arizona Rattlers
• Chicago Rush
• Cleveland Gladiators
• Columbus Destroyers
• Dallas Desperados
• Detroit Drive
• Iowa Barnstormers
• Las Vegas Posse
• Nashville Kats (original AFL era)
• New York Dragons
• Orlando Predators
• Philadelphia Soul
• Pittsburgh Power
• San Jose SaberCats
• Tampa Bay Storm

New AFL products and team designs are added regularly. The collection grows as we add coverage for additional historical AFL franchises.

The Arena Football League at Royal Retros — Authentic AFL Throwbacks. Custom Names & Numbers. Sizes S–5XL. Every Era, Every Team.