The United Football League (UFL) (US) recently announced a major step forward in its continued growth unveiling three new franchises set to debut in the Spring of 2026 when the league kicks off its third season.
‘UFL’ stated that the new teams will be located in Columbus, Ohio, playing at the 19,968-capacity Historic Crew Stadium, former home of the Major League Soccer (MLS – the top professional soccer league in North America) team Columbus Crew, Louisville, Kentucky, playing at the 15,304-capacity Lynn Family Stadium, home of the Louisville City FC of the United Soccer League (USL – a professional and amateur soccer organization in North America that oversees the multiple leagues for Men, Women and the Youth players) and the Racing Louisville FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL – a women’s professional soccer league and the highest level of the United States soccer league system), and Orlando, Florida, playing at the 25,500-capacity Inter&Co Stadium, home of the Orlando City SC of the MLS and the Orlando Pride of the NWSL.
Arlington (US)-based the United Football League is a professional American football Spring league in the United States. The league was created following the merger of the latest iterations of the Xtreme Football League (XFL) and the United States Football League. It started play in March 2024.
‘UFL’ further stated that the league also announced updated team names and new venues for the two legacy teams – the Arlington Renegades will become the Dallas Renegades when they move to the 20,500-capacity Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, home of the MLS team FC Dallas, and the Houston Roughnecks will be named the Houston Gamblers when they relocate to the 22,039-capacity Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas, home of the MLS team Houston Dynamo FC and the NWSL team Houston Dash.
Maintained Mike Repole, Co-Owner of the United Football League, who leads league business operations through his private equity firm Impact Capital, “The above marks an important step forward for the United Football League (UFL). Columbus, Louisville and Orlando are true football Cities with deep sports roots. We’re proud to bring professional football to these communities – in energetic, fan-driven stadiums built to create an authentic gameday experience and strengthen the foundation of this league for years to come. We’re heading into this season with new teams, new markets, new venues, and a renewed energy that reflects the momentum building around this league.”
The three news teams will replace the Memphis Showboats, the Michigan Panthers and the San Antonio Brahmas which competed in the league during its first two seasons.
New Names
The new teams – the Columbus Aviators, the Louisville Kings and the Orlando Storm – will join the current United Football League teams the Birmingham Stallions, the DC Defenders and the St. Louis Battlehawks. They also join the Houston franchise which will now be called the Houston Gamblers (from the Houston Roughnecks) reverting back to the team’s original name during its United States Football League (USFL) era as well as the Dallas franchise which will now be called the Dallas Renegades (from the Arlington Renegades) to reflect the team’s North Texas fan base.
New Venues
As part of Repole’s overall strategy of playing in smaller, more intimate soccer venues, the Houston Gamblers will play at the Shell Energy Stadium. The Dallas Renegades will move to the Toyota Stadium.
The UNITED Football League
Beginning with the 2026 season, the teams will no longer be divided into two Conferences but will compete as a united eight-team league with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs at the conclusion of the regular season.
Head Coaches
The Head Coaches will be announced in the near future for the three teams along with new uniform designs for all the eight teams. The 43-game 2026 United Football League schedule, which will kick off on March 27th, will be unveiled at a later date.
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