The United Football League (UFL) has announced three new team markets and two team rebrands ahead of the 2026 spring season.
New teams for the 2026 UFL season include the Columbus Aviators, Louisville Kings, and Orlando Storm. Those three new teams are replacing the Memphis Showboats, Michigan Panthers, and San Antonio Brahmas.
“Today marks an important step forward for the United Football League,” said Mike Repole, co-owner of the United Football League, who leads league business operations through his private equity firm, Impact Capital. “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.”
Columbus will play its home games at Historic Crew Stadium, which is the former home of the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer (MLS). Louisville’s home venue will be Lynn Family Stadium, home of Louisville City FC of the USL and Racing Louisville FC of the NWSL, while Orlando will play at Inter&Co Stadium, home of Orlando City SC of the MLS and Orlando Pride of the NWSL.
The league has also decided to rebrand two of its returning teams. The Houston Roughnecks will now be called the Houston Gamblers and will play their home games at Shell Energy Stadium, home of the Houston Dynamo FC of the MLS and Houston Dash of the NWSL.
The Arlington Renegades have been rebranded as the Dallas Renegades and will begin playing their home contests at Toyota Stadium, home of FC Dallas of the MLS.
“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,” said Repole.
The UFL also announced Tuesday that it has scrapped the two conference names, the USFL Conference and XFL Conference, and instead will compete as an eight-team league with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs at the conclusion of the regular season.
The 10-week regular-season of the UFL is scheduled to kickoff on Friday, March 27, 2026. The complete schedule with kickoff times and television will be announced at a later date.
Below are the team names and head coaches for each UFL team in 2026 along with stadium information:
Birmingham Stallions
Head Coach: Skip Holtz
Stadium: Protective Stadium
Columbus Aviators
Head Coach: TBD
Stadium: Historic Crew Stadium
Dallas Renegades
Head Coach: Bob Stoops
Stadium: Toyota Stadium
DC Defenders
Head Coach: Shannon Harris
Stadium: Audi Field
Houston Gamblers
Head Coach: Curtis Johnson
Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium
Louisville Kings
Head Coach: TBD
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Orlando Storm
Head Coach: TBD
Stadium: Inter&Co Stadium
St. Louis Battlehawks
Head Coach: Anthony Becht
Stadium: The Dome at America’s Center
I really want to like the UFL because live pro football of any variety is better than NBA basketball, preseason baseball and pro bowling. The move to 20,000 seat venues make some sense, but still something is missing.
I think the league needs to start earlier than late March. If they began in February after the Super Bowl, football is still on the minds of sports fans & they would likely pay more attention to the UFL. When the league starts later, fans stop thinking about football and move on to other sports, namely basketball & hockey.
Yeah competing with Baseball season starting and the other Sports getting revved for their stretch runs is not ideal but I think enough Football fans are out there to watch high quality Pro Football even at that time!
These are the most pathetic names I’ve seen in a while
I feel that there has been a decline in the quality of play since the league took on it’s new branding as the UFL. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the off season training regiment or how things are decided regarding when the league officially starts. But, with the UFL starting so late which I believe is due to seasonal issues and trying to get the best quality of play out of the athlete’s without having to contend with weather, then the UFL should utilize the dead time on the front end of the season to collectively bring players into a clinic like atmosphere to work on ball skills and position specific drills.This is an investment for sure, but could easily be managed in a warm local with mandatory attendance for all players, coaches and referees. Sponsorships could easily support the effort, and the quality of play would definitely benefit from an investment of this sort. Which would also lead to more viewers. If you want to call yourself a partner of the NFL, give the players what they need in this “Development/Professional league.
Good riddance the product is horrible, won’t be missed here in the M town
From Detroit either!
See what there doing by going to smaller stadiums. But he said these cities have deep football roots. Mabey college football. Guess that’s the market they want.
With all money in college football, NIL , transfer portal & paying the players we already have a Pro team in Columbus with 30 million dollars been spent! It called Buckeyes & Were Get Sick of it already! Have to be In Top 1% of income to afford a ticket to decent game already & It’s going Get Worse!!! Spring Ball We Fail here!!! People’s Don’t have excess cash to spend on League that Does Major changes every Couple Years!!!
Many often say that we need to limit conventional thinking and be open to new ideas. Almost anyone on a professional sports team is going to be a better than average athlete. Too many dismiss any sports leagues other than the MLB, NBA, NHL and NFL as unwatchable. They fail to see the sports entertainment value in Soring football leagues. That’s too bad, because the UFL offers quality football in often closely contested games. A lesson can be learned from the WNBA, which many have embraced over the years, despite recognizing that the NBA is a stronger league. Fact is – we can have both – the familiar and less familiar- side by side during different times of year. They do not compete with one another, They just offer us more opportunities to enjoy their respective sports. 🏈
HOPEFULLY THE VEGAS VIPERS RETURN SOON AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S INLAND EMPIRE CAN HOST A TEAM TOO. INLAND EMPIRE REIGN OR MONARCHS SOUND GOOD. OAKLAND INVADERS AND COLORADO GOLD WOULD BE GREAT ADDITIONS ALSO.
Good riddance! Love, Michigan Panthers fans 🖕🏻