What Is 2013 Indoor Football League season

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 Indoor Football League (IFL) season ran from March 8 to July 20, featuring 18 teams across the United States. The Nebraska Danger defeated the Sioux Falls Storm 82–76 in overtime in United Bowl XIV to claim the championship.

Key Facts

The 2013 IFL season began on March 8 and concluded with United Bowl XIV on July 20.
A total of 18 teams competed, including expansion franchises and relocated teams.
The Nebraska Danger won their first IFL championship by defeating the Sioux Falls Storm 82–76 in OT.
Regular season games were played over a 14-week schedule from March to June.
The Sioux Falls Storm finished with the best regular-season record at 12–2.

Overview

The 2013 Indoor Football League season marked the fifth year of the league's modern era and featured competitive play across 18 teams in the United States. The season began on March 8 and concluded with United Bowl XIV on July 20, where the Nebraska Danger claimed their first championship in franchise history.

The IFL continued to expand its footprint, welcoming new markets and re-establishing teams in key regions. With a focus on fast-paced, high-scoring indoor football, the league maintained its reputation for thrilling matchups and regional fan engagement.

18 teams participated in the 2013 season, including the expansion Colorado Ice and returning franchises like the Cedar Rapids Titans.
The regular season spanned 14 weeks, running from March 8 to June 15, with each team playing 14 games.
The Nebraska Danger finished the regular season with a 10–4 record, securing a top seed in the United Conference.
The Sioux Falls Storm posted the league’s best record at 12–2 but fell in the championship game despite their dominance.
United Bowl XIV was played on July 20, 2013, at the Sioux Falls Arena, drawing a near-capacity crowd of 6,800 fans.

How It Works

The Indoor Football League operates under a unique set of rules and scheduling structures designed to maximize entertainment and regional accessibility. Each season follows a consistent format from preseason to championship, with standardized gameplay and scoring systems.

Game Duration: Each game consists of four 15-minute quarters with a 15-minute halftime, totaling approximately two hours of play. Clock stops frequently, increasing scoring opportunities.
Field Size: The IFL plays on a 50-yard field with 8-yard end zones, significantly shorter than outdoor football, leading to faster-paced action and higher scores.
Team Roster: Teams carry 24 active players per game, with nine players on the field at a time, emphasizing speed and versatility over size.
Scoring Rules: A touchdown is worth six points, a conversion can be one or two points, and a 4-point conversion is awarded for successful tries from the 10-yard line.
Season Structure: The 2013 season included a 14-game regular season, followed by a six-team playoff format culminating in United Bowl XIV.
Overtime Rules: Overtime consists of two possessions per team from the 5-yard line; if tied after, sudden death rules apply, which decided the 2013 final.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of top-performing teams in the 2013 IFL season based on key metrics:

Team	Record	Points For	Points Against	Playoff Result
Sioux Falls Storm	12–2	987	568	United Bowl Loss
Nebraska Danger	10–4	923	612	Champions
Colorado Ice	9–5	876	745	Conference Semifinals
Tri-Cities Fever	8–6	891	721	Conference Finals
Cedar Rapids Titans	5–9	732	889	No playoffs

The table highlights how the Sioux Falls Storm led in both wins and points scored, yet fell short in the final. Meanwhile, the Nebraska Danger demonstrated playoff resilience, overcoming a regular-season loss to Sioux Falls to win the title in dramatic fashion. This underscores the unpredictability of postseason play in the IFL, where high-scoring offenses can shift outcomes rapidly.

Why It Matters

The 2013 IFL season was pivotal in shaping the league’s growth trajectory and demonstrating the viability of indoor football in mid-sized markets. It showcased competitive balance, fan enthusiasm, and the potential for national expansion.

The championship game’s 82–76 overtime score set a record for the highest combined points in a United Bowl game, highlighting offensive firepower.
The success of teams like the Nebraska Danger helped solidify central U.S. markets as key to the IFL’s long-term strategy.
Attendance averaged over 3,000 fans per game, indicating strong regional support despite competition from other leagues.
The season demonstrated the league’s ability to recover from franchise instability, with several teams relocating or rebranding successfully.
Media exposure increased through regional broadcasts and online streaming, expanding the IFL’s digital footprint.
The 2013 season laid groundwork for future expansion into Texas and Arizona, markets targeted in subsequent years.

Overall, the 2013 Indoor Football League season was a milestone year that combined athletic excitement with organizational growth, reinforcing the IFL’s role in the landscape of professional indoor sports.