Albany Empire Inaugural Game to be Broadcast on National Television

Monday March 26, 2018

 Inaugural Game to be AFL Game of the Week on CBS Sports Network

ALBANY – The Albany Empire have announced that it’s historic inaugural game on April 14 against the two-time defending AFL champion Philadelphia Soul will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network. The full television schedule for Albany Empire games will be announced at a later date, and will complement all Empire games broadcast live on Alt 105.7FM.

CBS Sports Network is available across the country through local cable, video and telco providers and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 221 and Dish Network Channel 158. For more information, including a full programming schedule, and channel finder, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.

The Empire previously announced a pre-game block party for the team’s Inaugural Game and this will kick off with a block party at 4 p.m. This block party will take place on South Pearl Street, right outside of the Times Union Center, three hours prior to kickoff. The block party will end at 6:30pm, giving fans time to get to their seats to catch a special pre-game show and ceremony featuring the re-unveiling of the Firebirds 1999 Championship Banner and the retiring of “Touchdown” Eddie Brown’s number 17, which will be honored with the Empire. Eddie Brown will be in attendance for this special occasion.

The pregame block party is presented by Miller Lite and Heineken, will be just outside of the brand-new Times Union Center Atrium. The party will feature live music, a dance team appearance, food trucks, beer vendors, a kid’s zone, and much more!

The live band set to perform at the inaugural game block party will be The Audiostars. The Capital Region’s own four-piece is known for their classic cover songs played with a ton of energy and passion. The Audiostars have performed all over upstate New York and will be a familiar face to Albany Empire fans attending the inaugural block party on game day.

“We are excited to showcase how passionate our fanbase in Albany is for its new team on national television,” said George Manias, Vice President of Business Operations. Hosting a block party is the perfect way to kick off this special day.”

Don’t miss your opportunity to witness history as Arena Football returns to Albany! Fans can secure their single game tickets for the Albany Empire’s inaugural game at TheAlbanyEmpire.com. Also available are 2018 season tickets, flex packs, group outings and inaugural game family 4 packs at 518-533-2200 or at www.TheAlbanyEmpire.com!

About Albany Empire

The Arena Football League’s newest franchise, The Albany Empire will begin play on April 14, 2018 at the Times Union Center. Season memberships for the inaugural 2018 season are on sale now. For tickets, contact the Albany Empire sales department at (518) 533-2200 or by going to TheAlbanyEmpire.com. Follow the team on Facebook at facebook.com/TheAlbanyEmpire and Twitter at twitter.com/Albany_Empire.

About Arena Football League

The Arena Football League will enter its 31st Season in 2018. Since its inception in 1987, the Arena Football League has showcased a fast-paced and exciting game to millions of fans in a myriad of markets across the country. Teams slated for 2018 include: Albany, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. CBS Sports Network nationally broadcasts AFL games each week, culminating with the ArenaBowl. The AFL launched AFLNow, the League’s streaming “Over-the-Top” network to give fans even more access to the League on arenafootball.com. For all the latest news and discussion on the Arena Football League follow the AFL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@aflarenaball)

About Times Union Center

Albany’s Times Union Center, formerly Pepsi Arena, continues to have great success. Renamed in January 2007, the The Times Union Center is “Upstate New York’s Premier Sports and Entertainment Facility. Owned by Albany County and operated by SMG, the world’s largest private management firm for public assembly facilities, the Times Union Center has an adaptable seating capacity between 6,000 and 17,500. Since Frank Sinatra christened the building on January 30, 1990, more than seven million patrons have walked through the turnstiles. As a multi-purpose facility, the Times Union Center has hosted a variety of events, including concerts, family shows and sporting events, averaging 165 events each year.

About CDPHP®
Established in 1984, CDPHP is a physician-founded, member-focused and community-based not-for-profit health plan that offers high-quality affordable health insurance plans to members in 24 counties throughout New York. CDPHP is also on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram.