The Nashville Kats are 5-1 at presstime going into their June 6 rematch with the Michigan Arsenal.
The Kats 2026 season schedule is half over, and excitement is really building as the team is killing it, with their single loss being on the road by only one point. The 2024 season marked a strong return, as the Kats advanced to the semifinals before falling 35-32 to the eventual ArenaBowl champion Billings Outlaws. After selling out F&M Bank Arena for one game in 2024 and two games in 2025, the Kats moved their full-time home schedule to Clarksville beginning in the 2026 season.
The Kats joined Arena Football One in 2025 and named Hall of Famer Darren Arbet as head coach. Nashville finished the 2025 regular season with a 6-4 record and advanced to the Arena Crown championship game, falling 60-57 to the Albany Firebirds in a tightly contested matchup. This year, with Darren Arbet returning as head coach, the Kats return with a talented core and key new additions.
Darren Arbet is the Head Football Coach and General Manager for the Nashville Kats, bringing over three decades of coaching experience, including 21 years in the Arena Football League (AFL) and 17 seasons as the head coach of the San Jose SaberCats. Born on July 6, 1967, in Stockton, California, Arbet attended Edison High School, where he excelled in both football and track & field. He continued his athletic pursuits at Sacramento State University, playing as a defensive end for the Hornets from 1981 to 1985. Arbet won four ArenaBowl championships (2002, 2004, 2007 and 2015) and was twice named league coach of the year (2000, 2002) as head coach of the San Jose SaberCats from 1999-2015.
All seven 2026 home games are being played at F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, where the franchise looks to continue its pursuit of an Arena Crown championship while building on the momentum of recent seasons. The Kats continue to build on a legacy of success while growing a passionate fan base across the region, positioning the franchise for sustained competitive and commercial growth.
The 2026 schedule features a competitive slate of matchups, thrilling home games, and intense road battles that will test the Kats from opening kickoff to the final whistle. Players, coaches, and staff are energized and ready to bring fast-paced, hard-hitting football back to the arena.
The 2026 season so far: Friday, April 17, Nashville Kats 78 – 40, vs Michigan Arsenal; Saturday, April 25, Nashville Kats 45 – 3 vs Washington Wolfpack; Sunday May 3, Nashville Kats 36 – 37 at Kentucky Barrels; Saturday, May 9 Nashville Kats 64 – 21 vs Oregon Lightning; Saturday, May 16 Nashville Kats 63 – 49 vs Oceanside Bombers; Friday May 22 Nashville Kats 58 – 28 at Minnesota Monsters.
Upcoming games are Sat Jun 6 6:00pm CDT Nashville Kats at Michigan Arsenal, The Dow Event Center; then a three-game homestand, as follows: Saturday, June 13 Kats vs. Minnesota Monsters 4:00 PM; Saturday, June 13, 2026; Saturday, June 20 Kats vs. Albany Firebirds 4:00 PM; and Saturday, June 27, 2026 Kats vs. Beaumont Renegades, 4:00 PM.
Their final two games are on the road, Fri Jul 3 9:00pm CDT Nashville Kats at Washington Wolfpack, Everett, Washington Angel of the Winds Arena; and Sat Jul 11 5:00pm CDT Nashville Kats at Albany Firebirds MVP Arena.
