Arena football is coming back to Southaven. DeSoto County and City of Southaven leaders announced Thursday morning, Oct. 22, that the Mississippi Wolfpack of the American Arena League will play its home games at the Landers Center beginning in April 2027, according to WMC Action News 5.
The deal gives the county-owned arena a spring football tenant to go with its new winter hockey team, the Mid-South Monarchs, which play their home opener at the Landers Center this weekend.
Who Are the Mississippi Wolfpack?
The Mississippi Wolfpack is not a brand-new franchise. The team was founded in 2024 in Batesville by Eddie Strong and has played home games in Tunica County, including at the Paul Battle Jr. Arena.
The Wolfpack has already won a title. In July 2025, the team claimed the American Arena League 2 championship by beating the Jersey Bearcats 32-29 on a touchdown as time expired, The Panolian reported. The Wolfpack entered those playoffs as the No. 6 seed.
Leadership for the Southaven era includes:
Eddie Strong, owner and head coach. He is a Batesville native who starred at South Panola High School and Ole Miss before signing with the NFL’s New York Giants in 2003.
Jeff Byrd, chief operating officer and vice president.
“This team has already experienced tremendous success, and we can’t wait to continue our journey in Southaven,” Strong said in the announcement. He added that the Wolfpack “was built on passion, discipline and excellence,” with a mission of helping athletes keep playing the game they love.
Mississippi Wolfpack Tryouts Set for Saturday in Southaven
The team is wasting no time building its roster for the move. Open tryouts are scheduled for:
When: Saturday, Oct. 24, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: BankPlus Sports Center at Snowden Grove Park, Southaven
Who: Anyone interested in trying out for the team
Players planning to attend should check with the team for registration details, fees and equipment requirements before Saturday.
What It Means for the Landers Center and Southaven
Arena football is played indoors on a shorter field, typically 50 yards long, with rebound nets around the goalposts and fast, high-scoring games. That format fits arenas like the Landers Center, which already hosts concerts, family shows and, starting this month, professional hockey.
Adding a spring football tenant means more event dates at the arena and more visitors to Southaven’s restaurants, hotels and shops on game nights. The Landers Center is also in the middle of a larger expansion that includes a planned attached hotel, a project that has faced delays.
A full 2027 schedule, ticket prices and season-ticket details have not been announced. DeSoto County News will share them when they are released.
