The league champions were the San Jose SaberCats, who defeated the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XVIII. The AFL reduced its playoff teams from the top 12 teams in the league making the playoffs to the top eight teams in the league making the playoffs.
San Jose SaberCats won the championship and defeated the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XVIII. The American Football League (AFL) adjusted its playoff format, selecting only the top eight teams for postseason play from the league's roster.