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Amarillo Residents: 5 Ways to Join Local Sports Community This Week

Local teams offer multiple entry points this week for fans seeking to attend games and follow area squads.

By Amarillo Sport Desk · Published July 24, 2026

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This article was written by AI from the linked sources and was not reviewed by a journalist before publishing. The Daily Amarillo is part of The Daily Network and follows our reasonable editorial care.

Amarillo Residents: 5 Ways to Join Local Sports Community This Week — Photo by Se.By. / flickr (by)

The Amarillo War Birds will host the Sioux City Bandits on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the Civic Center, marking the return of arena football to the city after nearly two years.

Residents looking to follow local teams can begin by tracking schedules for professional and high school contests that run through the end of the week. This timing aligns with the regular season home finale for the Amarillo Bombers and the start of state tournament play for two area high school programs.

High School and Professional Options

The Randall Raiders and Amarillo High Sandies open state tournament competition on Thursday at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The Amarillo Sod Poodles, holding a 44-40 record, play home games at HODGETOWN, including a recent sold-out contest against the Arkansas Travelers.

Eric Bach was named the new play-by-play announcer for the Sod Poodles ahead of the 2026 season, providing a consistent broadcast voice for those who follow the team through radio or streaming.

Practical Steps for Attendance

Events at the Civic Center and HODGETOWN provide direct access points, with the Bombers' 14-11 win over the New Mexico Runners on Monday serving as a recent example of home games that draw local crowds. Fans new to the scene can review team records and upcoming matchups to select an initial outing without prior season commitments.

Details such as the Friday night start time for the War Birds or the Thursday opening for the high school teams allow planning around specific venues. Checking local listings for ticket availability and parking at established sites like the Civic Center or HODGETOWN completes the basic preparation.

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