UFL co-owner Mike Repole spoke with ESPN, the Associated Press, and The Oklahoman on Thursday about the league's decision to place an expansion team in Oklahoma City for the 2028 season. Across all three interviews, Repole made clear that OKC was at the top of the league's list — and that the only thing keeping the UFL from getting there sooner is the stadium. The expansion marks the first step in Repole's plan to grow the league to 16 teams by 2035.
OKC Gets the Call
UFL president and CEO Russ Brandon confirmed that Oklahoma City will be one of two expansion markets set to begin play over the next two years. The second market has not been announced.
"It's the perfect time to make the leap and bring UFL football to Oklahoma City," Brandon said.
"Oklahoma City has long been one of the most glaring vacancies on the professional football map," Brandon said in a statement to Fox Sports. "The combination of a new stadium, deep-rooted football culture, and a city that has proven its ability to support major league sports makes this an easy decision."
The team will play at the MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium in downtown Oklahoma City. The $121 million venue is scheduled to open in 2028 with a capacity just over 10,000 for football. Groundbreaking is set for June. Echo Investment Capital, an OKC-based investment firm, will manage the stadium when it opens.
Repole: Oklahoma Is Football Country
Repole pointed to the success of the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder — the city's only pro sports team — and the state's support for Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Tulsa football as factors behind the decision. OU sits about 25 minutes south of downtown OKC. Oklahoma State is about 70 minutes north.
"I think Oklahoma and Oklahoma City is going to be a great market," Repole told the AP. "You guys know your football, you love your football and I wish the stadium was built yesterday because I would have been there already."
Repole said announcing the expansion two years ahead of the 2028 target reflects his confidence in both the league's direction and the Oklahoma City market.
"We're excited by this," he said. "The United Football League is here to stay. Football is king right now and we're going to build a really great spring football league that people are excited about, and by the time we get to Oklahoma, we'll be another season in and you guys are going to be really excited about what we have as a league by 2028."
He called the playing facility the only hangup.
"If Oklahoma City had the stadium that is going to be ready in 2028, the team would've been there this year," Repole told The Oklahoman. "That's how confident I am in the city. That's how confident I am in the state. That's how much I know you guys love your football."
"To me, this is the perfect market for a UFL spring football team," he said.
"Oklahoma lives and breathes football -- so bringing the UFL to Oklahoma City was a no-brainer," Repole said in a separate statement, per ESPN. "This is a state that shows up, cares deeply, and knows the game of football. Whether it's one of the many college teams that you cheer for, or your local high school team, we plan to build an incredible franchise in OKC that every fan across the state can get behind."
OKC Mayor Welcomes the League
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt backed the expansion in statements to both the AP and The Oklahoman.
"Oklahoma City welcomes the UFL to our championship city," Holt said. "We love sports and we love football, so we think this should be a great fit. We have always said that the MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium opens up new opportunities for our city, and this is a perfect example. We look forward to the UFL's arrival in 2028."
Holt told The Oklahoman that the stadium is already delivering on its promise before construction starts.
"We haven't even broken ground yet, and it's already paying dividends," Holt said.
How the Deal Came Together
Negotiations to bring the UFL to OKC were led by Echo Investment Capital, which holds a majority interest in the city's incoming pro soccer franchise. The ownership group operates as OKC For Soccer, led by president Court Jeske.
According to The Oklahoman, the process began almost two years ago when a UFL contact reached out to Jeske. League officials visited Oklahoma City, met with local leaders, and consulted on the stadium design. The UFL provided input on locker room sizing, coaching booth placement, and camera angles for Fox and ABC broadcasts.
Communication went quiet about a year ago as the league went through ownership changes, including Repole's arrival. Once Repole learned about the stadium being built downtown, talks picked back up.
"We want this to be the busiest outdoor stadium in the country," Jeske told The Oklahoman. "And to achieve that, it won't just be about soccer and spring football. We're going to have a partnership with Oklahoma City Public Schools. We're going to work to secure international events in lacrosse, in rugby, across the NCAA.
"If it fits in a rectangular field, we're going to go secure it for Oklahoma City."
Jeske called the announcement "a surprise and delight moment that a lot of people probably didn't expect."
The Stadium Fits Repole's Vision
The MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium sits on a nine-acre property south of Bricktown and east of Scissortail Park, near the OKC Convention Center. It was built as a soccer venue for OKC's incoming USL Championship club.
The 10,000-seat football configuration lines up with the strategy Repole has pushed since taking over business operations in mid-2025. He moved the league away from oversized college stadiums where low attendance was a problem. Michigan averaged 8,794 fans in 65,000-seat Ford Field. Memphis averaged 3,992 in a 44,000-seat venue. Both markets were cut ahead of the 2026 season.
Repole's target across the league is 10,000 to 15,000 fans per game in venues where the stands look and sound full on TV.
"If you asked me if I had a choice between 10,000 and 50,000, it's a no brainer," Repole told The Oklahoman.
Fans can already join the ticket waiting list for the OKC franchise at OKCForSoccer.com. Team name and colors will be announced at a later date.
The Oklahoma Outlaws Name Could Return
The UFL owns the rights to the Oklahoma Outlaws name through its connection to the former United States Football League. The Outlaws played in Tulsa in 1984. Repole said the Outlaws name is a possibility, but other options will also be considered.
Where OKC Fits in the Expansion Timeline
The UFL currently has eight teams: the Birmingham Stallions, Houston Gamblers, St. Louis Battlehawks, Arlington Renegades, DC Defenders, Louisville Kings, Columbus Aviators, and Orlando Storm. The league counts Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as a co-owner alongside Repole and Fox Corp.
Oklahoma City brings the total to nine for 2028. Repole said the league will add at least one more team before the start of the 2028 season to reach 10. From there, the plan is 16 franchises — half the size of the NFL — by 2035.
Oklahoma City had been on the league's rumored radar for over a year. Reminder that still doesn't mean Birmingham, Houston or Dallas is safe for 2028. The league could still close or pause those franchise as they find more viable locations that can carry teams.
What This Means for the League
The OKC announcement signals that UFL expansion is no longer a talking point. It is happening.
The 2026 season opened with three relocated franchises in Louisville, Columbus, and Orlando. All three moved into smaller stadiums as part of Repole's venue strategy. Oklahoma City follows that same blueprint — a mid-size market, no NFL competition, and a purpose-built venue in a walkable downtown district.
The league has not confirmed the second expansion city. Markets discussed publicly include Boise, Seattle, and San Antonio, though each carries venue or logistical questions.
Oklahoma City gets professional spring football. And Repole's 16-team vision has its next milestone locked in.