ROSEMONT—In conjunction with the Arena Football League, the Chicago Rush announced their 2012 regular season schedule today. The team’s 11th season will kick off at home on Sunday, March 11th against the Tampa Bay Storm.The Rush will open their nine game home slate against the Storm which will be their first meeting at the Allstate Arena since 2004. The Rush will play three of their first five games at home. Additionally, eight of the team’s nine home games will be played on the weekends. The regular season home schedule will end 16 days earlier than the 2011 schedule.
“The organization is preparing for another exciting season of arena football action,” said Rush President/General Manager Gene Nudo. “We are really looking to place an emphasis on creating an electrifying, family-friendly atmosphere in 2012. We feel this schedule will provide an optimal experience for all of our fans.”
One of the most noteworthy games of the season will come in Week 10 when the Rush travel to Arizona to take on the Rattlers in what will be a repeat of the 2011 National Conference Championship game.The Rush will matchup against each of their three Central Division rivals (Iowa, Kansas City and San Antonio) twice. The team is set to play 18 games over the course of a 20-week schedule. The bye weeks include Week 2 and Week 11.The entire 2012 schedule is as follows, with home games indicated in bold:
Week Date Location
Week 1 Sunday, March 11 vs. Tampa Bay Storm
Week 2 Bye
Week 3 Thursday, March 22 vs. Orlando Predators
Week 4 Saturday, March 31 at Iowa Barnstormers
Week 5 Saturday, April 7 vs. Kansas City Command
Week 6 Saturday, April 14 at Georgia Force
Week 7 Saturday, April 21 vs. Milwaukee Mustangs
Week 8 Saturday, April 28 at San Antonio Talons
Week 9 Sunday, May 6 vs. Iowa Barnstormers
Week 10 Saturday, May 12 at Arizona Rattlers
Week 11 Bye
Week 12 Saturday, May 26 at San Jose Sabercats
Week 13 Saturday, June 2 vs. Spokane Shock
Week 14 Saturday, June 9 at Utah Blaze
Week 15 Saturday, June 16 vs. Georgia Force
Week 16 Saturday, June 23 at Kansas City Command
Week 17 Saturday, June 30 vs. San Jose Sabercats
Week 18 Sunday, July 8 vs. San Antonio Talons
Week 19 Saturday, July 14 at Milwaukee Mustangs
Week 20 Saturday, July 21 at Cleveland Gladiators
All dates and times are subject to change.