Indoor Football League playoff preview: Everything to know about this weekend's matchups

The 2026 Indoor Football playoffs kick off in earnest this weekend, with an incredible slate of four games on Saturday and Sunday. All seven postseason games will be broadcast nationally for free on Yahoo Sports Network for the first time after a historic regular season that saw the IFL surpass 4.5 million total streams and more than 30.6 million minutes watched on YSN.

After a heated race to the playoffs, which teams will emerge from the first weekend en route to the IFL National Championship on August 16? Read more on each matchup below.

No. 3 Tulsa Oilers vs. No. 2 Jacksonville Sharks (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET)

The first matchup of the weekend could be the most contested, between these two teams that finished with identical overall records (11-5). The Oilers and Sharks also split their season series, with Jacksonville beating the Oilers 41-34 earlier this season, and Tulsa beating the Sharks 58-49 just two weeks ago.

The Oilers also have some star power, as QB TJ Edwards leads the league in total touchdowns with 59. Meanwhile, wide receiver Jerminic Smith Sr. leads the league in total receptions (93), total receiving yards (1061), receiving yards per game (66.3) and TDs (31). For Jacksonville, RB Jimmie Robinson Jr. leads the league in total rushes (166) and rushing TDs (24).

No. 4 Orlando Pirates vs. No. 1 Green Bay Blizzard (Sunday, 2 p.m. ET)

The Green Bay Blizzard have been the top team in the league for the bulk of the season, and that dominance should help propel them as they look make a run and to avenge their loss to Vegas in last year's IFL Championship. But it won't be easy — in the two matchups between the Blizzard and Pirates during the regular season, Green Bay only won both by a cumulative five points.

Blizzard QB Liam Thompson leads the league in yards per rush (4.6) and is fifth in the league in passing yards (2,229) and touchdowns (48). Green Bay leads the league in points per game with 53.9. Orlando QB Paxton DeLaurent leads the league in completion percentage (71.2%).

No. 3 Arizona Rattlers vs. No. 2 Vegas Knight Hawks (Sunday, 5:30 p.m. ET)

Last year's IFL champions, the Vegas Knight Hawks, begin their quest to repeat by taking on the Arizona Rattlers, who finished third in the Western Conference this season. The Knights Hawks hold a 2-0 season series lead over the Rattlers, beating them twice in May, 56-42 and 48-44.

Vegas ranks second in the league in points per game (52.8), followed closely by Arizona (50.4). Arizona has one of the best defenses in the league, ranking first in fewest yards allowed per game (189.5) and in interceptions (29) by a wide margin. Vegas and Arizona are tied for the second-most sacks as a team (16). Vegas RB Josh Tomas leads the league in rushing yards (666) and rushing yards per game (51.2).

No. 4 Tucson Sugar Skulls vs. No. 1 San Diego Strike Force (Sunday, 9 p.m. ET)

San Diego is on a roll after securing the No. 1 seed in the West with a late-season surge, and overtook the Green Bay Blizzard in the final Coaches Poll of the season. The Strike Force won nine of its last 10 games during the regular season, and defeated the Sugar Skulls three times in the regular season (most recently 40-36 last weekend).

San Diego ranks fourth in the league in points per game (49.8), while QB Nate Davis leads the league in yards per game (182.8). Strike Force kicker Ernesto Lacayo leads the league in field goal percentage (57%).

Full playoff schedule, how to watch

(Yahoo Sports Network is streaming all 2026 IFL playoff games nationally. Here's everything you need to know on how to watch.)

Saturday, Aug. 1

7 p.m. ET: No. 3 Tulsa Oilers vs. No. 2 Jacksonville Sharks

Sunday, Aug. 2

2 p.m. ET: No. 4 Orlando Pirates vs. No. 1 Green Bay Blizzard

5:30 p.m. ET: No. 3 Arizona Rattlers vs. No. 2 Vegas Knight Hawks

9 p.m. ET: No. 4 Tucson Sugar Skulls vs. No. 1 San Diego Strike Force

The playoffs continue with the semifinals next weekend, while the IFL National Championship will take place on Sunday, August 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Arizona.

Fans can watch every 2026 IFL Playoff game free on Yahoo Sports Network via leading FAST services, including Amazon Fire TV, Fubo, LG Channels, Plex Prime Video, Roku, Samsung TV Plus, Google TV Freeplay, Xfinity and VIDAA. Fans can also watch the games live via yahoosports.tv on the web and in the Yahoo Sports app.

Final IFL Coaches Poll

1. San Diego Strike Force

2. Green Bay Blizzard

3. Vegas Knight Hawks

4. Arizona Rattlers

5. Tulsa Oilers

6. Jacksonville Sharks

7. Orlando Pirates

8. Tucson Sugar Skulls

9. Fishers Freight

10. Quad City Steamwheelers

11. San Antonio Gunslingers

12. NAZ Wranglers

13. New Mexico Chupacabras

14. Iowa Barnstormers

Final 2026 Indoor Football League standings

Eastern Conference

Team	Overall	Conference
Green Bay Blizzard*	13-3	11-3
Jacksonville Sharks*	11-5	9-3
Tulsa Oilers*	11-5	7-4
Orlando Pirates*	10-6	9-4
Fishers Freight#	8-8	6-8
Quad City Steamwheelers#	5-11	4-9
Iowa Barnstormers#	1-15	1-13

Western Conference

Team	Overall	Conference
San Diego Strike Force*	13-3	11-2
Vegas Knight Hawks*	12-4	9-3
Arizona Rattlers*	11-5	10-3
Tucson Sugar Skulls*	7-9	6-8
San Antonio Gunslingers#	5-11	4-5
NAZ Wranglers#	3-13	2-12
New Mexico Chupacabras#	2-14	2-14

*In playoffs
#Eliminated from playoffs