From 2005 to 2008, the ArenaBowl were hosted at neutral sites (Las Vegas and New Orleans).

[6] [7] In the previous season, the Rattlers lost ArenaBowl XXIV to the Jacksonville Sharks on the final play of the game.

They defeated division rivals San Jose and Utah, respectively, to win the National Conference championship.

After missing the playoffs in the prior season, the Soul compiled a league-best 15–3 record.

They beat the New Orleans VooDoo in the conference semifinals, then blew out the defending champion Jacksonville Sharks in the American Conference championship 89–34, the most one-sided victory in AFL postseason history.