UFL Expands into Three New Markets for 2026
- Marc Viquez
- 9 hours ago
- 2 min read
The United Football League is adding teams in Louisville, Ky.; Columbus, Ohio; and Orlando, Fla.; for the 2026 season. They will all play in smaller, soccer-specific venues, aiming to create a more vibrant atmosphere with 10,000 to 15,000 fans per game.
The Columbus Aviators will play at Historic Crew Stadium, the Louisville Kings will play at Lynn Family Stadium, and the Orlando Storm will play at Inter&Co Stadium. Each venue has a seating capacity of under 25,000.
Louisville will share its field with the USL Louisville City FC in the 15,304-capacity Lynn Family Stadium, starting in the 2026 season. The market had been discussed for several months, and it will be the first time the city will host a spring football team.
“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," said Mike Repole, co-owner of the United Football League.
The Aviators will relocate to the former home of the Columbus Crew and utilize it as a stadium for gridiron football. Crew Stadium has a seating capacity of 19,968. The Storm returns spring football to the city, having previously been home to the Orlando Guardians, which played at Camping World Stadium in 2023.
Beginning in the 2026 season, the Houston Roughnecks will be renamed the Houston Gamblers (the name the city used in the USFL in 1984 and 1985 when Jim Kelly was their quarterback) and will play at the home of the MLS Houston Dynamo, Shell Energy Stadium. Simultaneously, the Arlington Renegades will relocate to the home of MLS FC Dallas, Toyota Stadium, and be known as the Dallas Renegades.
Team uniform designs will be released at a future date. The regular season begins on February 27, 2026.
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Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com
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