The new United States Football League, which kicks off in April, plans to hold its playoffs next to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, which seats 20,000, will be the venue for both semifinal games on June 25 as well as the title game on July 3.
USFL executive vice president of business operations Edward Hartman said in a statement, “We’re excited to play our first playoffs and championship game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. It’s a beautiful stadium with all the facilities necessary to host football at the highest level, and we look forward to crowning our first champion in the shadow of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”
Mike Levy, president of operations for the Hall of Fame Village, added in a statement, “We are honored that the state-of-the-art Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium was selected as the destination for the USFL’s 2022 playoff. Our facility and campus will provide the perfect setting and backdrop for the USFL’s inaugural playoffs and championships, offering fans and guests visiting our destination multiple opportunities to be engaged at the birthplace of professional football.”
The regular season, which will run from April 16 to mid-June, will be played entirely at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Ala. However, the 2022 World Games, a multisport competition featuring such events as lifesaving and tug of war, will occupy the venue during the USFL playoffs.
The previous USFL existed from 1983-85. The revived version will begin with eight teams: the Birmingham Stallions, Houston Gamblers, New Jersey Generals, New Orleans Breakers, Michigan Panthers, Pittsburgh Maulers, Philadelphia Stars and Tampa Bay Bandits.
Games will be telecast on Fox, FS1, NBA and USA Network.
–Field Level Media