TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay has a new sports team to cheer for. The Tampa Bay Vipers held their first home game inside Raymond James Stadium Saturday afternoon.

The team is a part of the new XFL.

“Very excited. I watched the XFL when it first came out years and years ago, so glad it's come back and give us another team to root for,” said Mike Cronin. 

Cronin said he came to check out the football talent. 

“A lot of the Florida Gators, the former Gators that are playing on the team. We saw Goolsby and a few other guys. Yea we're big Gator fans,” Cronin said.

Rob Johhnson, a trainer, said he wanted to support these players, who are glad for a second chance to get on the field. 

“I understand how the process works. Some of them don’t make it in the NFL at least at first. Then they go here. Then they go and transition back to the NFL,” said Johnson. 

Team officials said thousands were in attendance, filling the lower level of the stadium. The final attendance was 18,117 as the Vipers lost to the Houston Roughnecks, 34-27.

The next home game is on Sunday, March 1 at 7 p.m.  The team will be taking on the DC Defenders.

Tickets are available on Ticketmaster.