The reigning National Arena League champion Albany Empire kick off the 2022 football season Saturday night.

The Empire’s home opener, against the Carolina Cobras, starts at 7 p.m. at MVP Arena. It’s the first of six home games for the Empire this season.

To celebrate the 2021 NAL championship and the start of the ’22 season, the team is holding a block party outside the arena, beginning at 5 p.m.

The 2021 championship banner will be hung from the MVP Arena rafters at halftime of the game.

The Empire’s full 2022 schedule is available on the team’s website.