The UFL revealed a boatload of new plans for the 2026 season, including the locations and team names for a trio of new franchises for next season.
Last week, the UFL revealed the first of some major changes for the spring pro football league when they announced that they would shutter their franchises in Memphis, San Antonio, and Detroit. However, the announcement came with a teaser that more details on the replacements would come the following week.
Well, on Tuesday, the UFL unveiled a plethora of details on some major changes for 2026. First, the new teams for next season. Replacing the franchises in Detroit, San Antonio, and Memphis will be the Columbus Aviators, Louisville Kings, and Orlando Storm, the league announced in a statement.
“Today marks an important step forward for the United Football League,” co-owner Mike Ripple said in the statement. “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.”
Two UFL teams get name adjustments for 2026 season
Along with the reveal of the new teams, the UFL announced some changes to current franchises. In 2026, the Arlington Renegades will now be known as the Dallas Renegades, and the Houston Roughnecks will now be called the Houston Gamblers.
The Renegades are located in Northern Texas, so the change is a strategic move to tie the team to one of the top sports cities in the nation. As for the change from the Roughnecks to the Gamblers, it is a return to Houston’s previous moniker when it was a part of the USFL.
The UFL also revealed a key cost-cutting measure to move away from traditional football venues to “smaller, more intimate soccer venues” next season. Below, you can find a rundown of the soccer stadiums the UFL’s eight franchises will be playing in next year.
- Birmingham Stallions – Protective Stadium
- Columbus Aviators – Historic Crew Stadium
- Dallas Renegades – Toyota Stadium (Frisco, TX)
- DC Defenders – Audi Field
- Houston Gamblers – Shell Energy Stadium
- Louisville Kings – Lynn Family Stadium
- Orlando Storm – Inter&Co Stadium
- St. Louis Battlehawks – The Dome at America’s Center
Over the revamped league’s first two seasons, the visual of mostly empty stadiums has not been a good look. The smaller venues should improve that in 2026. Plus, targeting more cities hungry for more pro football should, hopefully, lead to a larger turnout like they continue to get in St. Louis.
