Orlando Pirates Stun Quad City in Thrilling Arena Football Comeback

The new IFL team's first home game at the Kia Center featured a wild fourth-quarter finish.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 7:50pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an indoor football game, with players and the field broken down into overlapping, angular shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette, capturing the dynamic energy of the sport.The Orlando Pirates' thrilling home debut victory showcases the high-octane action and unpredictable momentum swings that make arena football a fan favorite.Today in Orlando

The Orlando Pirates, a relocated and rebranded indoor football team, made a strong first impression in their home debut at the Kia Center, rallying from an early deficit to defeat the Quad City Steamwheelers 49-46 in a back-and-forth Arena Football League matchup.

Why it matters

The return of indoor football to downtown Orlando marks the revival of a popular local sports tradition that had been dormant since the Orlando Predators franchise folded in 2016. The Pirates' thrilling comeback victory has reignited excitement among fans who have been eager to pack the Kia Center for high-octane arena football action.

The details

After falling behind 14-0 in the first quarter, the Pirates stormed back, with quarterback Paxton DeLaurent throwing for 236 yards and 4 touchdowns. The game featured multiple lead changes in the fourth quarter, including a kickoff return touchdown from Dante Wright that kept Orlando in the game. Nyqwan Murray scored twice for the Pirates, while Teo Redding, Pooka Williams, and Thomas Owens also found the end zone.

  • The Pirates' home debut took place on April 5, 2026.
  • The team previously played as the Massachusetts Pirates, joining the Indoor Football League in 2018 and winning a championship in 2021.
  • The Pirates will host their next home game on April 12, 2026.

The players

Paxton DeLaurent

The Pirates' starting quarterback, who threw for 236 yards and 4 touchdowns in the comeback victory.

Dante Wright

The Pirates' kickoff return specialist, who scored a crucial touchdown to keep Orlando in the game.

Nyqwan Murray

A wide receiver for the Pirates, who scored two touchdowns in the team's home debut.

Quad City Steamwheelers

The opposing team, who held an early lead but were unable to hold off the Pirates' comeback.

Orlando Pirates

The newly relocated and rebranded indoor football team, making their home debut in downtown Orlando after previously playing as the Massachusetts Pirates.

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What they’re saying

“This felt like a solid restart for indoor football in Orlando. The fans were electric, and the team really showed their resilience to come back and win that game.”

— Kenny McLendon, Sports Writer

What’s next

The Pirates will host their next home game against the Tulsa Roughnecks on April 12, 2026, as they look to build on their thrilling home debut victory.

The takeaway

The Orlando Pirates' dramatic comeback win in their home opener has reignited the city's passion for indoor football, providing a promising start to the team's inaugural season and hinting at a bright future for the sport's return to downtown Orlando.