KATS, BARRELS TO BATTLE IN INAUGURAL “RICKHOUSE RIVALRY” WITH TRAVELING TROPHY ON THE LINE

by Greg Pogue

For Immediate Release: April 30, 2026

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The inaugural matchup Sunday between the Nashville Kats and Kentucky Barrels will have more on the line than just a victory in the win column.

At stake is taking possession for a season of the “Rickhouse Rivalry” trophy – a whiskey barrel that gives nod to the whiskey legacies of both Tennessee and Kentucky – that will go to the team that wins the regular season series.

On Sunday at 2 p.m. CDT in a battle of unbeatens at Truist Arena on the campus of Northern Kentucky University, the Kats (2-0) and Barrels (3-0) square off for the only time this regular season. The game can be watched at TheAF1.com – the official website of Arena Football One.

“It’s such a natural geographic rivalry,” Barrels owner Corey Cunningham said. “We are close enough that our fans can travel to Tennessee and their fans can come up to Northern Kentucky. This can be a great rivalry for many years to come.”

The logos of both the Kats and Barrels are emblazoned on the sides of the Rickhouse Rivalry barrel that will be presented at midfield to the winning team following the game. The winner will have possession of the trophy until the winner next season is decided.

“Corey and I have been knocking this idea around for a while now,” Kats Chief Executive Officer and Partner Greg Pogue said. “It’s only natural for the Kats and Barrels to grow into rivals between the teams and fan bases. Rivalries are always great motivators in sports. We look forward to it.”

A rickhouse is a specialized warehouse where whiskey barrels are stored on racks called ricks for aging. It allows for temper variations and proper ventilation to enhance flavor.

Cunningham envisions that the Rickhouse Rivalry traveling trophy can become a model for other AF1 teams that are geographically located suited to build natural rivalries.

“Obviously, this Rickhouse Rivalry will not only be good for the Barrels and Kats,” Cunningham said, “but also for the league as well. It’s a natural way to generate excitement and interest for the teams and the league.”

The Kats are off to a 2-0 start this season following last Saturday’s 48-3 home win versus the Washington Wolfpack and the 78-40 season-opening win at home over the Michigan Arsenal on April 17.

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