CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Nashville Kats kicked off their season Friday night at F&M Bank Arena, bringing in a crowd of more than 2,000 fans for their first game in their new home field.

The Kats defeated the Michigan Arsenal, finishing the night with a 78-40 victory. The game remained competitive early on, with the Kats leading 35-26 at halftime.

Football player in a dark blue/black kit carries the ball while dodging two tacklers in white uniforms on a bright green field.
Football center in blue and black snaps the ball at the line of scrimmage, surrounded by teammates and defenders.
Football player in a silver Arsenal uniform (#4) walks along the sideline as cheering fans watch from the stands.
Football player in a black-blue uniform with number 6 raises arms in celebration on artificial turf.
Bearded man in a black KATs shirt raises both arms amid cheering crowd at a football stadium.
Indoor football arena with a full crowd, players on a green turf field, and a large hanging scoreboard showing game stats and time.
Football players in dark uniforms walk toward the camera along the sideline on a green turf as a packed arena watches from the stands above.
Football player in black and yellow #44 uniform, helmet on, mid-gesture under stadium lights, ready for action/celebration.
Football player in black jersey is tackled near the sideline by a defender in white, as cheering fans look on from the stands.
Football player in white leaps with ball as defender in black dives to tackle near sideline.
Red tufted sofa against a dark brick wall with a lighted marquee announcing '2026 KATS SEASON OPENER KLAWS OUT' above it
American football action on a green artificial turf: a gray-jersey ball carrier is tackled by a defender in a dark helmet, with teammates around them.",
Football player seen from behind in a black-blue uniform, number 24, with a Kats logo helmet on a crowded field.
American football action: a defender in a black-blue jersey (#10) drives toward a white-uniform player as teammates close in, on a green turf with a crowd in the stands.
Football players line up at the line of scrimmage, ready for the snap during a game on a green field with white yard lines in view.
Football player in blue-black uniform #66 runs along the sideline clutching a football as cheering fans watch from the stands behind a white advertising barrier.
Quarterback in black uniform (number 10) grips the football, looking to pass as a teammate blocks a defender nearby on the green turf field.
Football player in white Arsenal jersey carries the ball while a defender in blue-black reaches in; sideline with banners and crowd in the background.
Motorcycle parade at night with a bearded rider on a large touring bike, raised blue pom-poms in the air as headlights illuminate the group.
Mascot in blue shirt high-fiving fans at a football stadium on the sideline.
Group of student athletes in white and green jerseys cheer wildly in a crowded bleacher section, arms raised in celebration.
Mascot in a blue shirt high-fives two young boys on an artificial turf field at a community event.
Young boy leaps to catch a football while cheering crowd watches from the stands edge-to-edge of the row.
Male singer wearing glasses and a brown jacket performs into a handheld microphone on a dimly lit stage with blue spotlight.
Cheerleaders in blue outfits on motorcycles, waving blue pom-poms during a sports event on a turf field.
Football player in black and blue helmet and jersey, sponsor patches visible, standing in a stadium.
Large crowd of sports fans in a stadium, many wearing blue, raising hands and cheering; blue paw foam signs visible.

The game also featured a special appearance from new managing partner and co-owner Jeff Jarrett, a WWE Hall of Famer. Halftime included an opportunity for local students, as several schools from around the county participated in brief flag football games. The experience gave young players a chance to step onto the arena floor and be part of the game.

F&M Bank Arena will serve as the team’s home venue for the 2026 season, hosting all of the Kats’ home games moving forward. For more information on upcoming Kats games, visit the F&M Bank Arena website.

| DON’T MISS AN EVENT: For more Clarksville things to do, check out the Spring fun guide or the Clarksville Events calendar.