FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE...VIRGINIA HAULERS UNVEIL INAUGURAL 2027 SCHEDULE

Familiar opponents, coaching connections and a May 8 home opener highlight Virginia’s first season; season ticket details announced tomorrow

WYTHEVILLE, Va. — The Virginia Haulers have announced their inaugural 2027 American Arena League schedule, featuring eight regular-season games and four home dates at Hitachi Energy Arena. The season begins March 27 at the Rome Red Cats, with the Haulers making their home debut May 8 against the Mississippi Wolfpack.

For General Manager and Head Coach Josh Resignalo, the schedule brings meaningful connections across the opposing sidelines, including former players, coaching colleagues and a championship-game opponent.

Rome Red Cats — March 27 and May 1 | Away

Virginia will travel to Rome twice, beginning with the franchise’s first regular-season game. The matchup reunites Resignalo with the opposing head coach he defeated in the 2024 championship game, completing an undefeated season and earning his second championship and second GM of the Year honor. Resignalo’s first championship and GM of the Year recognition came in the AAL in 2018.

The connections extend to Rome’s ownership group, where Richard previously served as one of Resignalo’s team owners with the Carolina Cobras.

Montgomery Catfish — April 16 | Away; May 22 | Home

The Haulers’ home-and-away series with Montgomery will feature several familiar faces. The Catfish’s head coach and offensive line coach are former Carolina Cobras players under Resignalo, now beginning their first professional coaching opportunities.

Montgomery’s player personnel leader also worked in that role alongside Resignalo during his last two seasons coaching and remains a close friend. The series adds a competitive chapter to relationships built through years of working together.

Memphis Blues — April 24 | Away; June 5 | Home

Virginia visits Memphis on April 24 before welcoming the Blues to Hitachi Energy Arena for the regular-season finale on June 5.

The two meetings will provide a measure of each team’s development, with the final matchup offering the Haulers an opportunity to finish the regular season in front of their home crowd and potentially impact postseason positioning.

Mississippi Wolfpack — May 8 | Home Opener

The Haulers will host Mississippi for a milestone night in franchise history: their first home game at Hitachi Energy Arena.

The May 8 opener will introduce Southwest Virginia fans to the speed, physicality and close-to-the-action atmosphere of arena football while establishing the home-field environment the organization intends to build in Wytheville.

Columbus Lions — May 15 | Home

One of the schedule’s most personal matchups arrives when the Columbus Lions visit Virginia on May 15.

Resignalo served as Columbus’ defensive coordinator in 2013 and maintains a strong relationship with Lions Head Coach Damian Daniels. In 2017, Daniels joined Resignalo’s staff as defensive coordinator for his first professional coaching opportunity.

The two have since competed against one another, including several meetings over the last couple of seasons. Their latest matchup brings that shared history and competitive relationship to Hitachi Energy Arena.

2027 REGULAR-SEASON SCHEDULE

Season Ticket Announcement Coming Tomorrow

The Haulers will announce season ticket pricing and purchasing details tomorrow, with an emphasis on making games accessible to families and building a strong home crowd.

Affordable pricing is central to the organization’s vision: giving fans throughout Wytheville, Wythe County and Southwest Virginia an opportunity to make Haulers football part of their community while helping establish Hitachi Energy Arena as a challenging environment for visiting teams.

Additional announcements regarding the team’s first player tryout and official team press conference will follow.

Fans can follow the Virginia Haulers on social media and visit VirginiaHaulers.com for team news and upcoming announcements.

About the Virginia Haulers

The Virginia Haulers are an American Arena League football team preparing for their inaugural 2027 season at Hitachi Energy Arena in Wytheville, Virginia. Led by General Manager and Head Coach Josh Resignalo, the organization is building a foundation centered on competitive football, affordable family entertainment and community partnerships throughout Southwest Virginia.