Barnstormers Announce 2013 Schedule

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ABC5 Sports Desk

Barnstormers Announce 2013 Schedule

Iowa to Host Spokane in Home Opener on Friday, April 5

DES MOINES – The Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League are pleased to announce their 2013 regular season schedule. The Barnstormers will open the 2013 season with two consecutive road games, beginning on Saturday, March 23^rd when they travel to Chicago to take on their biggest rival, the Chicago Rush. The road trip continues the following week with the Barnstormers first ever trip to New Orleans, to take on the Voodoo, on Saturday March 30^th. Iowa returns to Des Moines for their home opener on Friday April 5, when they host the Spokane Shock at 7:05pm.

For the 2013 season, the Barnstormers will once again compete in the AFL's Central Division, which is part of the National Conference. Iowa will face every team in the AFL at least once except for the Pittsburgh Power. In addition, the Barnstormers are scheduled for home and home matchups against Arizona, Chicago, New Orleans, Philadelphia, San Antonio and Utah.

Other highlights of the 2013 schedule include home games against last season's ArenaBowl participants the Philadelphia Soul (April 13) and the defending AFL Champions, the Arizona Rattlers (July 27). The Barnstormers also host the Tampa Bay Storm on Saturday, June 1 in a rematch of ArenaBowl X which took place in Des Moines in 1996. After starting the season with several tough road trips, the Barnstormers finish the season with 5 of their final 8 games at home.

Once again this season, all Iowa Barnstormers home games will be played at Wells Fargo Arena in downtown Des Moines, IA. All 9 home games will be played on Friday and Saturday evenings with a kickoff time of 7:05pm.