The IFL announced that three teams were going dormant:
On October 16, 2024, the Duke City Gladiators owner Gina Prieskorn-Thomas announced that the team would be going dormant. She stated that there were problems with the team's marketing strategies due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.[3]
On October 16, 2024, the Frisco Fighters announced that they would be entering dormant status without specifying why.[4]
On October 30, 2024, the Sioux Falls Storm announced that they would be going dormant due to their inability to find a secure location to field a team.[5]
The following rule changes were approved at the IFL annual league meeting on January 13–14 in Phoenix, Arizona:[6]
Any kicked ball that passes through the end zone without touching the field of play will now be marked at the kicking team’s 20-yard line. The previous adjustment to the 25-yard line has been removed for consistency.
If a team leading by 14 points or fewer has possession of the ball during the last minute, they must gain positive yardage; otherwise, the clock will stop. The former rule requiring positive yardage in the final 60 seconds of the game has been reinstated.
A linebacker who declares a blitz may now rush from inside or outside the alley. The league has eliminated the restriction on linebackers blitzing outside of the alley.
The 1-yard grace for wide receivers in motion crossing the line of scrimmage has been removed. A receiver’s foot crossing the line at the snap will now be considered a false start. Other body parts, such as the knee, hand, or head, will not determine the penalty.
The season will be played over a 19-week schedule, beginning on March 21, 2025, and ending on July 27, 2025. Each of the league's 14 teams will play 16 games, with three bye weeks.
On November 25, the Pirates hired Ameer Ismail as their head coach, this will be his second stint with the team. Ismail previously served as the head coach of the Bloomington Edge in 2017, Massachusetts Pirates in 2018, and the Iowa Barnstormers from 2020–2021. He has compiled a 34–16 (.680) regular season record and is 0–3 (.000) in three playoff appearances.[8]
On August 31, 2024, Moss stepped down as the head coach of Northern Arizona after leading the team to two playoff appearances, an IFL National Championship title, and a 28–19 (.596) regular season record.[9]
On October 21, 2024, it was announced that Casey's bought the naming rights of Wells Fargo Arena. Starting on July 1, 2025, the arena will be renamed Casey's Center.[14]
