Arena football is returning to Southaven after a 20-year hiatus.
Officials with the Landers Center announced that they have reached a new partnership with the American Arena League. Beginning in April 2027, the multipurpose venue will host Mississippi Wolfpack games.
Founded in 2024 by former South Panola High School and Ole Miss standout Eddie Strong, the Mississippi Wolfpack previously played home games in Tunica. Strong said he started the team to give Mississippi’s talented football players who may have missed out on an opportunity to compete in the NFL to showcase their skills and enjoy the game they love.
“When I started this thing, it was a vision. We have great football in the state of Mississippi. We’ve got Ole Miss, Mississippi State, we’ve got a lot of high school football, and a lot of guys that dreamed of being drafted and going to the NFL. But every guy doesn’t make it,” Strong said.
“Some guys get released, and those guys can still play football. They become school teachers. They become police officers and mayors, but those guys still can play football.”
The Wolfpack are looking to the community to help fill roster spots. The team will hold tryouts at the BankPlus Sports Center in Southaven on Oct. 24. More information can be found here. DeSoto County last hosted arena football games in 2006, before the Memphis Xplorers folded after six seasons.
Before arena football gets underway, area residents will have the chance to watch their first hockey game in the Landers Center in nearly a decade when the Mid-South Monarchs take the ice on Oct. 23.
