UFL Announces Team Rebrands and New Teams for Upcoming Season

Photo courtesy of the United Football League

The United Football League (UFL) announced the next evolution in its growth with the announcement of three new teams – which replaced the recently announced as departed San Antonio Brahmas, Memphis Showboats, and Michigan Panthers – to the league.

The new/replacement teams are the Columbus Aviators, Louisville Kings, and Orlando Storm. The new Columbus team will play at Historic Crew Stadium, home of the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer (MLS). The Louisville team will play at Lynn Family Stadium, home of Louisville City FC of the United Soccer League (USL). Lastly, the new Orlando team will play home games at Inter&Co Stadium, home of Orlando City SC of the MLS and the Orlando Pride of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

“Today marks an important step forward for the United Football League,” said Mike Repole, co-owner of the UFL, in a news release. “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.”

In addition to the new/replacement teams, the UFL also announced updated team names and new venues for two of its legacy teams. The Arlington Renegades will now be the Dallas Renegades and play their home games at Toyota Stadium, home of FC Dallas of the MLS. The Houston Roughnecks, meanwhile, will be renamed the Houston Gamblers and move their home games to Shell Energy Stadium, home of the Houston Dynamo FC of the MLS and the Houston Dash of the NWSL.

Repole joined the UFL ownership group in July 2025, becoming co-owner of the spring league along with FOX, RedBird Capital Partners, ESPN, and Dany Garcia and Dwayne Johnson. The goal in Repole’s joining was to oversee business strategy, brand development, and long-term growth.

“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, who leads league business operations through his private equity firm, Impact Capital.

The goal in choosing the new teams and new venues was to try and mirror the fan attendance and engagement that has been found with two of the UFL’s most prominent existing teams, the St. Louis Battlehawks and the DC Defenders.

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