Arkansas Diamonds Announce Move to Little Rock, Barton Coliseum as New Home
IFL Arkansas Diamonds

Arkansas Diamonds Announce Move to Little Rock, Barton Coliseum as New Home

Published on September 15, 2026 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Arkansas Diamonds News Release


LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- The Arkansas Diamonds Professional Indoor Football Team officially announced today that the organization is making Little Rock their home, with historic Barton Coliseum serving as the team's home arena as the Diamonds enter the Indoor Football League.

The announcement brings together the organization's vision of establishing a permanent home in Central Arkansas, competing on a larger professional platform through the IFL, investing in its players and helping revitalize one of Arkansas' most recognizable historic venues.

The Diamond's intend to invest in Barton Coliseum, modernize the facility and improve the experience for players, fans and partners while preserving the character and history that generations of Arkansans associate with the building.

Mark Bertel, Owner of the Arkansas Diamonds, said the decision is about building something that belongs to the entire state.

"I've lived in and loved Arkansas my entire life. This is an opportunity to build something meaningful, give our players the environment they deserve and create a professional sports organization Arkansas can be proud of. This isn't Little Rock's team and it isn't my team. This is Arkansas's team."

REVITALIZING HISTORIC BARTON COLISEUM

Barton Coliseum has been part of Arkansas' sports and entertainment history for generations. The Diamond's see that history as one of the venue's greatest strengths and intend to modernize Barton without losing the identity that makes the building unique.

The vision also extends beyond football. Renewed investment and activity at Barton can create opportunities for additional sporting events, concerts, community programming and entertainment throughout the year.

Will Hornburg, Director of Sales & Promotions at Barton Coliseum, said the Diamonds bring an opportunity to create new momentum around the historic venue.

"We are incredibly excited to welcome the Arkansas Diamonds to Barton Coliseum. There is so much history in this building, and the Diamonds bring an opportunity to create new energy while respecting everything Barton has meant to Arkansas. Their commitment to revitalizing the Coliseum can help introduce Barton to an entirely new generation of fans."

HONORING OUR FOUNDATION IN HOT SPRINGS

As the Arkansas Diamond's begin this next chapter, the organization also wants to recognize the community that made it possible: Hot Springs.

"Hot Springs will always be the foundation of the Arkansas Diamonds," Bertel said. "That community welcomed us, supported our players, filled the stands and believed in what we were building. We will never forget that. Everything we are able to announce today was built on the support we received in Hot Springs, and for that we are incredibly grateful."

The decision to relocate was not a reflection of the organization's relationship with Hot Springs. As the Diamonds prepared to enter the Indoor Football League, a significantly larger professional league, the organization faced league requirements tied to operating in a larger market capable of representing and supporting a statewide franchise, along with arena and facility requirements that could not be met within the team's current venue in Hot Springs.

"This was not about wanting to leave Hot Springs," Bertel added. "It was about what was required for our organization to take the next step. Joining the IFL gives us the opportunity to represent Arkansas on a much larger stage, and Little Rock provides the centralized location, market size and arena capabilities necessary for that opportunity. But Hot Springs is where this journey began, and that will always be part of who we are."

While Barton Coliseum will become the Diamonds' new home, the organization remains committed to representing communities throughout Arkansas, including the fans, businesses and families in Hot Springs who helped build the foundation for this next chapter.

A NEW PROFESSIONAL PLATFORM

The Diamond's move to Little Rock comes as the organization enters the Indoor Football League, providing a larger professional platform with expanded television exposure, viewership and opportunities for corporate partnerships.

Jared Widman, President of the Indoor Football League, said the Diamonds bring an ambitious vision to the IFL.

"The Arkansas Diamond's understand that building a successful professional sports organization involves more than what happens on the field. Television, corporate partnerships, community engagement and the fan experience are all important parts of growing our league. We are excited to welcome the Diamonds to the IFL and believe Arkansas can become an important market for our league."

The IFL platform will also provide Arkansas businesses with new opportunities to associate their brands with professional football through national broadcasts, digital media, in-arena exposure and community initiatives.

CHAMPIONSHIP EXPECTATIONS

On the field, the Diamonds will continue to build around winning, discipline, accountability and player development.

Head Coach Bones Bagaunte tells us that representing Arkansas carries a responsibility beyond the scoreboard.

"We expect to win and compete for championships, but our responsibility is bigger than football." Bagaunte explains," When our players put Arkansas across their chest, they represent an entire state. We want disciplined players, accountable players and good men. Our job is to build champions on the field while helping build better men off of it."

A STATEWIDE MISSION

Although Barton Coliseum will become the physical home of the Diamonds, the organization intends to remain a team for the entire state.

Arkansas Diamond's President, Dustin Harrison, explains that community involvement and relationships with Arkansas businesses will remain central to the team's mission.

"Our home may be in Little Rock, but our responsibility is to the entire state. We want people and businesses from every part of Arkansas to feel connected to this organization. We want to create opportunities for young people, build meaningful partnerships and operate an organization that Arkansas is proud to support."

BUILDING OPPORTUNITY

Lauren Hatten, returning General Manager of the Arkansas Diamonds, will help lead the organization as it enters the IFL and begins its next chapter in Little Rock.

For Hatten, the opportunity also carries personal significance as a woman serving in a senior football leadership position.

"Ownership gave me an opportunity that women have historically had very few chances to receive in professional football; the opportunity to serve as a General Manager and help build a professional organization. I understand the responsibility that comes with that. I want to succeed for our organization, our players and Arkansas, and I hope doing this job well can show other women that there is a place for them at every level of professional sports."

The organization's expectations extend beyond its performance on the field, Hatten remarks.

"We have championship expectations, but we also have to operate like champions away from the field;" Hatten explains, "That includes taking care of our players, supporting our partners and creating an experience our fans are proud to be part of."

A NEW ERA FOR PROFESSIONAL SPORTS IN ARKANSAS

"Arkansas deserves professional sports," Bertel said. "We have the fans, we have the businesses and we have the passion. I believe this can be the beginning of a new era for professional sports in Arkansas."

The organization's move to Little Rock, entry into the IFL and commitment to Barton Coliseum represent an effort to build something sustainable that extends beyond a single football season.

The Diamond's want young people across Arkansas to have professional athletes they can watch at home, Arkansas businesses to have a professional franchise they can call their own, and national audiences to see ARKANSAS represented by a winning professional organization.

Additional information regarding Barton Coliseum improvements, the upcoming IFL season, ticketing, corporate partnerships and community initiatives will be announced in the coming months.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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