Per the UFL;
The United Football League is committed to delivering the most accessible and innovative football experience every spring. This offseason, in partnership with our new ownership group, we’ve refreshed our vision for the league with a focus on playing in more intimate venues that elevate the fan experience and bring unmatched energy to game day.
As part of this process, we conducted a thorough review of all markets and venues. After careful consideration, we’ve made the difficult decision to depart from the Memphis, Michigan, and San Antonio markets. Unfortunately, the stadium options currently available in these areas do not align with our new vision.
As we look ahead to potential expansion in 2028, we remain hopeful that the right venues will become available in these markets so we can return and once again bring UFL football to these communities.
Further details about the league’s new markets and venues will be shared in an announcement next week.
Thank you for being a fan and joining us on this journey. We can’t wait to kick off an incredible 2026 season with you in March!
Best,
Russ Brandon
President & CEO
United Football League
Per UFL Co-Owner Mike Repole;
For the leadership team and me, this has been a very difficult decision. But if the league is going to survive and thrive in the long term, tough choices must be made and made quickly. I deeply sympathize with the fans and communities in Memphis, Michigan, and San Antonio. However, having the right venues is absolutely essential to the league’s future success. If venue opportunities arise that meet our criteria in these markets, we will give serious consideration to returning. Thank you.
10 Comments
by Ken Granito
It’s a shame Michigan is out. Michigan had the perfect match of team and community. Coach Nolan built a strong team, instilling his smarts and heart into putting the best team he could on the field. Plus, the fans recognized it.
This is something that doesn’t really happen too much in this league. IF I were running the league and I was serious about coming back to Michigan being a possibility I would nix the idea of moving the team, the Panthers. Yes I know it is one of the iconic uniforms of the USFL and now UFL, but it is iconic in Michigan. It would be like moving the Generals somewhere else, when one day there could be a team in New Jersey. The league sure does not make it easy being a fan of this league. I have been fans of the Breakers, the Generals & the Panthers. I guess my default is the Stallions and whatever team becomes the Panthers. I think Columbus gives the UFL a second strong location with DC being right there as well.
by He Hate Me
You’re absolutely right.
by Ken Granito
One last thing to pay attention to is weather. With the loss of the two dome teams Michigan and San Antonio you had a place to play games in June and possible championship games. Right now you have replaced those two places with Columbus, which will have great weather on evenings in June, but most places will be either St. Louis or HOT & MUGGY. If rumors hearing the other two spots are also southern based teams the league will have an over abundance of teams in the South, meaning the league will likely move up the season, something I think is poor as most football fans tire of it around the Super Bowl. In early or mid-March it’s great to start watching again. You also would go from watching the best football available to watch to the worst football there is available to watch as a developmental league will be playing its worst football to start the season after the highest level is playing its best two teams. There is a reason the Pro Bowl keeps changing to find some way of getting new viewers, because it doesn’t perform well. Something I think that will not serve the UFL well. IF you wait until March those new locations will be warm. Also, if you have no teams in the North, you will have no fans in the north. Just something for the league to think about.
by Johnny the Angry Fuzzball
Well.
You have to think that Repole’s treachery has left a really bad taste in San Antonians’ mouth. There were plenty of ideal options for the Brahmas if a more intimate stadium was sought, including Alamo Stadium and Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos, both of which have hosted pro football in the past and can’t be worse than Cashman Field in Vegas (lol). It’s telling that there was zero mention of San Antonio even being on the bubble for 2026, unlike the USFL conference teams that have very publicly been discussed.
The issues in Memphis and Michigan were well-known. Memphis has been a dead franchise for months, while there were options in Michigan that Repole and Fox simply didn’t like. And now San Antonio is about to pay for his capriciousness.
Unfortunately, Coca-Cola won’t be there to bail Repole out if his calculations backfire.
by 4th&long
Well – While NOT liking leaving Mich – an OG USFL market that was on an upswing. The Stadium issue was not where UFL and Repole want to be currently.
And the SA vibes of no staff signings had them looking out vs Houston. Let’s look at the 3 new (2 assumed) vs old markets.
While we don’t know which “teams” are moving to what city, it is totally not relevant to this analysis.
Here’s my take:
TV & MSA swaps: – this is most important to viability.
1) Memphis (.52 TV mkt HouseHolds; 1.3 mm pop) vs Louisville (.56 TV mkt HHs; 1.4 mm pop)
2) SA (.87 TV mkt HouseHolds; 2.8 mm pop) vs Columbus (.81 TV mkt HHs; 2.2 mm pop)
2) Detroit (1.55 TV mkt HouseHolds; 4.4 mm pop) vs Columbus (1.52 TV mkt HHs; 2.7 mm pop)
This is almost an even swap for TV Households (higher importance) and pretty close on MSA. If indeed they go this route… from a TV perspective can’t complain.
Geography:
I think this is a slight gain… 47% of people live in the EST yet UFL only has 2 teams in it. Now they have 4 (Col, Lou, DC, Orl)
Texas had 3 UFL teams, with the Arlington Hub, maybe that made sense before but central hub idea fading. Florida is also a FB hot bed and Orlando has no NFL or MLB (and NHL) team. While Columbus also is a FB hotbed in the EST, and once again nd Orlando has no NFL or MLB (and NHL) team.
Louisville for Memphis isn’t much of a move but does put them smack in between Birm and Col.
Stadium choices:
Real easy pick that Columbus and Louisville are more right sized and likely much cheaper than SA and Memphis.
Orlando is certainly much less than Detroit but not sure where exactly yet.
I DON’T like losing 2 Dome stadiums at all. They should have been better utilized for games to avoid weather delays.
Summary: Like I started , not happy losing Mich, but league survival trumps everything. The fact they kept Houston, a big TV market is a plus. The projected new marekets are a good swap to not lose TV Mkt size, a big relief. The cost savings is not being discussed much, but its real and just as much a driver as size. The new host cities also seem to be wanting the UFL, thats what the league needs from local gov.
by Frank
Memphis should of never had a team. Iowa would have great support. Plenty of smaller venues in California.
by He Hate Me
Would have been better for the USFL and the XFL remain separate football leagues and maybe just collaborate on inter league play and other strategies to bring more excitement to spring league football.
by Ken Granito
It’s funny. Before it was announced Mike Repole was joining the UFL and the league re-instated some of the USFL trademarks, I’d almost hoped the USFL and XFL would go back to their prospective leagues. Knowing the costs involved I felt it likely would not happen, but they really did have completely different ways of running a league. Also, I think they could have negotiated all their contracts together to get a more favorable rate on all their outside expenses. For this to work there would need to be outside investors associated with the new teams, something I question if this league will ever do. I don’t know why the league owners would prefer to be full owners of something that is dubious in nature, when it could be the leaders of something grand in nature. My hope is that Mike Repole helps turn this thing around and opens new doors.
by Adam Simon
I think Iowa could be the Green Bay Packers of the UFL. We have 5 arena teams. If no UFL how about a Continental Football team.
by Ken Granito
In my fantasy league, the league that I have on my mind to compete with the UFL. A league that prioritizes FOOTBALL has a team in Iowa, playing out of Drake University, Des Moines. Obviously I would have to check it all out and if it ever became more than a fantasy I would. I even wondered if there was a way the Barnstormers would work, although my team name is the Bobcats until someone from the city/state gives me a better option.