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Amarillo Warbirds vs Sioux City Bandits Friday

Amarillo's arena football team opens its 2026 home season Friday at the Civic Center. First Warbirds game since relocation from Odessa returns pro sports to the area.

By Amarillo Sport Desk · Published July 20, 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.

The Amarillo Warbirds face the Sioux City Bandits at 6:30 p.m. Friday inside the Civic Center to start their 2026 home schedule in the National Arena League.

This opener returns arena football to Amarillo after nearly two years away. The team arrived through relocation of the former West Texas Warbirds from Odessa and received its new name on June 30, 2025.

Relocated Franchise Settles In

The Civic Center serves as the permanent venue for the Warbirds. The same building also schedules roughly 15 home dates each year for the Amarillo Wranglers of the North American Hockey League. Friday's game marks the first time local fans see the Warbirds in their adopted colors since the June 2025 unveiling.

Amarillo already supports several other active clubs this summer. The Double-A Sod Poodles posted an 8-3 win over the Arkansas Travelers on July 10 at Hodgetown. The Amarillo High School Sandies football program enters the 2025 season ranked 148th in Texas and 971st nationally while competing in 5A-1 Region I District 2.

Season Schedule Takes Shape

Source 2 confirms the Friday matchup and the two-year gap since the last arena football game in the city. Source 5 lists the Wranglers' annual home-game total at the Civic Center Complex. Source 1 supplies the Sandies' current state and national rankings. Source 7 records the June 30, 2025, identity change for the Warbirds.

Residents can mark Friday evening on their calendars and plan to arrive at the Civic Center for the 6:30 p.m. kickoff. Additional home dates for both the Warbirds and Wranglers appear on the venue calendar throughout the rest of the year.

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