Dubuque to Welcome its First Pro-Football Team in 2025

For the first time in its history, Dubuque could have a professional football team to call its own. Coming October 2025, the Iowa Power will begin playing indoor games at the Five Flags Convention Center, marking an exciting new chapter for sports in our city.

But don’t expect this to be your typical football experience. As John Guy, the Director of Game Day Operations for the Iowa Power, put it, “This is totally a different breed of football.” The game is played eight-on-eight on a 50-yard field, with no punting and two receivers in motion before the snap. This fast-paced, high-scoring style of play is known as arena football, and it has been the launchpad for many successful NFL careers, including that of Iowa native and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Kurt Warner.

Warner, who famously led the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl victory, got his start in arena football with the Iowa Barnstormers. Playing in the tight confines of the arena, Warner honed the quick decision-making and pinpoint accuracy that would later define his NFL career. His time with the Barnstormers put him on the map, proving that arena football can be a stepping-stone to the highest levels of football. Warner is just one of nearly 50 NFL players who began their careers in this thrilling version of the game.

The Iowa Power aims to bring that same level of excitement to Dubuque. The team is set to feature former players from top programs like Iowa, Iowa State, Ohio State, and Oklahoma, as well as veterans from powerhouse arena teams like the Iowa Barnstormers and Arizona Rattlers. The Head Coach, who has won an impressive 11 championship rings, is already a member of the American Football Association's Hall of Fame, as is John Guy himself.

Beyond the action on the field, attending a Power game promises to be an experience like no other. Guy is known for his innovative and often outrageous game day promotions and has big plans to make each game a spectacle.

Get our free mobile app

And while the entertainment is sure to be over-the-top, the football is serious business. Fans will have the chance to see top-tier talent up close, with tickets starting at just $10. Plus, in true arena football fashion, if you catch a football in the stands, you get to keep it. However, players are catch and release.

The arrival of the Iowa Power is more than just a sports event; it’s a community opportunity. Team owner Anthony Bartley, who has been involved in arena and indoor football since 2007, is committed to making our local area feel like it has a stake in the franchise. So, get ready for a whole new kind of football this fall. The Iowa Power is coming to Dubuque, and they’re bringing the excitement of arena football with them.