Utah Great 8’s Capture Inaugural International Arena League Championship in Thrilling 62-59 Victory
by Debbie Hall
The Utah Great 8’s are the first-ever champions of the International Arena League (IAL), edging the Cincinnati Slingers 62-59 in a thrilling, back-and-forth championship game at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.
With the championship on the line, the No. 2-seeded Great 8’s and No. 1-seeded Slingers delivered the kind of high-scoring, hard-hitting contest that the International Arena League was created to showcase. Neither team gave an inch as the lead changed hands throughout the game, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
In the end, Utah held on for the three-point victory, securing its place in IAL history as the league’s inaugural champion.
The championship matchup featured the league’s top-seeded Cincinnati Slingers against the second-seeded Utah Great 8’s, delivering a final that matched the competitive nature of the inaugural IAL season.
The Cincinnati Slingers (#1 Seed) finished with 59 points, while the Utah Great 8’s (#2 Seed) scored 62 points to claim the championship.
The victory capped the league’s inaugural 2026 season, which featured six teams competing in a double-elimination-style tournament at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas and culminated in the first IAL championship.
The league’s fast-paced, high-energy style aims to excite fans and create memorable entertainment experiences for all viewers.
For the Great 8’s, however, the night was about more than entertainment. It was about making history.
After battling through the championship tournament, Utah emerged with the league’s first championship trophy and the distinction of being the first team to etch its name into the IAL record books.
The 62-59 final score reflected just how closely matched the championship contenders were. Cincinnati entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed, while Utah came in as the No. 2 seed, making the final a showdown between two of the league’s strongest teams.
For the fans inside Orleans Arena, the inaugural IAL championship provided a fitting conclusion to the league’s first season — three points separating champion from runner-up in a game that remained competitive from start to finish.
The Utah Great 8’s are now officially the first champions in International Arena League history.
2026 IAL MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Congratulations to Abu Daramy-Swaray #4 of the Cincinnati Slingers, whose standout performance earned him the inaugural IAL MVP Award, showcasing his impact on the league’s first season.
2026 IAL COACH OF THE YEAR
Congratulations to Shon King of the Cincinnati Slingers on winning the inaugural IAL Coach of the Year Award.
2026 IAL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Congratulations to Andison Coby #7, Cincinnati Slingers, on winning the inaugural IAL Offensive Player of the Year Award.
2026 IAL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Congratulations Mekhail Sherman #12 of Utah Great 8’s for earning the inaugural IAL Defensive Player of the Year Award, highlighting individual talent and dedication, inspiring admiration among fans and followers.
2026 IAL THE STARS “STAR” AWARD
Congratulations to Luc Rodrigues #7, European Stars, on winning the inaugural IAL The Stars “STAR” Award.
2026 IAL “THE SHREDDER” AWARD
Congratulations to Mekhail Sherman #12, Utah Great 8’s on winning the inaugural IAL “The Shredder” Award.
2026 IAL SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Congratulations to Terrell Perriman #4 on winning the inaugural IAL Special Teams Player of the Year Award.
For updates on the 2027 season and other events, visit ialfootball.com. Follow on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
