The Women's Arena Football League (WAFL) was an 8-on-8 full contact professional American indoor football league based out of Houston, Texas. Founded in 2011, games were played in the spring and summer months in arenas around the United States.WAFL official website The league is somewhat similar to the male-based Arena Football League and Indoor Football League, but with slightly different rules as well as no goalposts or rebound nets. It began play in 2012 with six teams. The founder and league president is Ivan Tompkins, Dwayne Ware Coach and former AFL player with the Houston Thunderbears and head coach of the charter Houston Lady Oilers. Their championship game is known as the Diva Bowl.
The WAFL was created as a more family-friendly alternative to the rival Legends Football League. As opposed to the lingerie (later bikini wear) worn by the players in the LFL, the WAFL's players wore more traditional women's athletic gear.KHOU 11 News Covers The WAFL with Coach Dwayne Ware and The Houston Lady Oilers, YouTube, June 24, 2012SRL covers Houston Lady Oilers Kick Off, Sports Rapp YouTube, July 23, 2012 A bunch of volleyball, flag football, and former LFL players were playing in the league. Some women werestlers also played in the league.
Following their inaugural season in 2013, the WAFL went dormant in preparations for a future return. As of 2026, the WAFL is disbanded, but the WAFL Facebook page, and some of the team pages are inactive, but still standing.
Teams source:"Indoor Football Database - WAFL 2013". sites.google.com. Retrieved 2026-04-22. +TeamsLocationArenaFoundedCoachFateAtlanta ArchersSuwanee, GeorgiaAtlanta Silverbacks Suwanee Indoor2012TBAFolded mid-season, never played a gameDallas DarlingsGarland, TexasCurtis Culwell Center2012TBAFolded after seasonHouston Lady OilersHouston, Texas Shenandoah, TexasBrown Convention Center (never played) Reliant Arena (exhibton)
Texans Indoor Soccer (regular season)
Sports Culture (playoffs)2012Dwayne WareFolded after seasonJacksonville CougarsJacksonville, FloridaTBA2012n/aNever played New Orleans Bayou QueensKenner, Louisiana New Orleans, LouisianaPontchartrain Center (regular season) Pan American Stadium (playoffs)2012Clyde MaidenFolded after seasonOrlando EclipseOrlando, FloridaTBA2012n/aNever playedSan Antonio EstrellaSan Antonio, TexasTBA2012n/aNever playedTampa Bay DuchessTampa, FloridaTBA2012n/aNever played
References
External links Women's Arena Football League official website Women's Arena Football League official Facebook