National Indoor Soccer League announces Albany Aces to bring in tourism dollars to Good Life City

ALBANY, Ga. – It’s absolutely a big deal…

In just a few short months, players are going to be taking the field here in the Civic Center as the newly minted Albany Aces.

But, the biggest impact won’t be on the pitch…But from the people who will be in these seats.

According to the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau it’s the first time since the Arena Football League left nearly 10 years ago that a team will call the Good Life City home.

“Naturally announcing the name makes it more real. So, it’s more of an opportunity for our community to come together, have a different sport to come out for. During our time with arena football, we had a great turnout with the Panthers and the Wildcats. And so we’re just looking forward to a soccer team. Them announcing the name just really puts an identity to it,” said Rashelle Minix, Executive Director, Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

We spoke with NISL Commissioner Gary Tufford just after the unveiling of the team name Wednesday, and he’s excited for the Aces to make their mark on the Good Life City.

“It’s good to be back in an arena that; one you know is a good venue. Two has great people running it and becoming your partners and that’s so important. So, you couple those things with the great fan-base here in Albany, and I saw that first-hand with arena football, plenty of people in the seats. It was a winner no question about it,” said Garry Tufford, NISL Commissioner.

For local business owner, Gilbert Udoto, having an indoor soccer team in the city of Albany brings up some old memories, and he’s hoping the team will be able to bring in some major tourism dollars.

“When you go to Atlanta, you go anywhere, that money is going there, going outside. By having this, everyone is going to benefit. The hotels, the restaurants, all the institutions. So we must impress with this. We must come here,” said Gilbert Udoto, Local business owner.

But, more than anything, the new team means tourism dollars will find their way back into the Good Life City.

“It also gives us the opportunity to pull in a larger base of Georgia, north Florida, and Alabama. So, we’re able to bring those visitors in, fill up our hotels, and increase our tax base…” said Rashelle Minix, Executive Director, Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

And, Tufford says that through the rest of 2023 they’re going to be working on pre-sale for tickets to drum up interest for when the Albany Aces take the pitch here in 2024.

Brian Roche reporting.

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