- Rhode Island to play at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket and Colorado to play at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs; Utah to play at America First Field in Sandy and Oklahoma to play at new MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium in Oklahoma City
ARLINGTON, TX (September 23, 2026) – The United Football League today announced the addition of four new markets over the next two years as the league continues its next phase of growth, with Rhode Island and Colorado set to begin play in 2027 and Utah and Oklahoma joining the league in 2028 as the UFL expands to 10 teams.
The four new markets expand the league’s geographic footprint and will bring UFL football to distinctive venues across the country, with Colorado playing at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs, Rhode Island at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, Utah at America First Field in Sandy, and Oklahoma at the new MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium in Oklahoma City.
Under the leadership and vision of new co-owner Mike Repole, the UFL marked a significant step forward in 2026 after an ambitious plan to reimagine spring football. The result was a season defined by momentum, building on the league’s foundation with new markets, venues, fan experiences and innovations on the field. The league introduced the 4-point 60-plus-yard field goal and placed a further emphasis on transparent officiating, while delivering exciting football with the most plays, points & touchdowns per game, along with the lowest margin of victory and lowest number of punts in league history.
That momentum extended beyond the field with increased viewership, including numerous games eclipsing one million viewers, and increases in overall ticket sales, culminating with a sold-out United Bowl as the Louisville Kings captured the championship in their inaugural season. The season also reinforced the UFL’s value in the football ecosystem to develop top talent and provide a pathway to the NFL, with 118 former UFL players in NFL Training Camps, ultimately leading to 46 UFL players on current NFL active rosters or practice squads. In all, it was a springboard season that set the stage for the UFL to bring professional spring football to four new markets and expand to a 10-team league for 2028.
"2026 was an incredible year for the UFL, and seeing the response from our fans, players, and partners has made what comes next even more exciting,” said UFL Co-Owner Mike Repole. “There is a real energy around this league right now, and we’re thrilled to bring that energy to four new markets. We said in July that our next step was finding the right markets, venues, and fan bases where we can work with local leaders to build the strongest franchises for today and for the future, and we believe Colorado, Rhode Island, Oklahoma, and Utah represent those qualities. We’re thankful to the local leaders and partners who believed in this vision and have helped us get here. We can’t wait to see these markets come to life and the best part is that this is just the beginning.”
Colorado will host its inaugural home game on Sunday, April 11, at 3 p.m. ET on ABC, while Rhode Island will open its home schedule on Friday, April 2, at 8 p.m. ET on FOX UFL Friday. The new team names, colors, logos and brand identities will be unveiled at public events next month for Rhode Island at Centreville Bank Stadium on October 18, and Colorado at Weidner Field on October 25, respectively, while additional details on the Utah and Oklahoma team identities and launch plans will be announced at a later date closer to the 2028 season.
The UFL is proud to partner with government leaders and leading sports, venue and civic organizations in each market, including Rhode Island FC and Centreville Bank Stadium; the Colorado Springs Switchbacks and Weidner Field; Miller Sports + Entertainment, Real Salt Lake, the Utah Royals and America First Field; and Oklahoma City United, Echo Investment and MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium.
Colorado
UFL to bring professional spring football to Colorado Springs beginning in 2027; Home opener set for April 11 at 3 p.m. ET and broadcast nationally on ABC
The UFL will bring professional spring football to Colorado Springs beginning with the upcoming 2027 season, bringing the league into a market with an established sports identity and strong connection to football. The team will play at Weidner Field, a sports and entertainment venue in downtown Colorado Springs and home to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. At 6,035 feet above sea level, Weidner Field sits more than 750 feet higher than Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, meaning it will become the highest elevation home for a pro football team when the UFL first steps on the field of play next March.
“At Weidner Field and Switchbacks FC, we place a tremendous value on relationships, collaboration, and the strength of our community. It is clear that the UFL shares those same values,” said Switchbacks FC President Brad Estes. “We are thrilled to partner with such a first-class organization and to welcome professional football to Colorado Springs, enhancing our already vibrant sports community. We look forward to building something special together. Welcome to the Springs, UFL!”
Opened in 2021, Weidner Field has become a destination for professional and collegiate sports, concerts, festivals and community events. The venue has hosted major soccer events including 2024 USL Championship Final, NCAA Division II Championships and the annual City for Champions Cup, further establishing Colorado Springs as a destination for major sporting events.
“Bringing professional football to Colorado Springs is a vote of confidence in our city and in what we have built downtown,” said Mayor Yemi Mobolade. “A UFL team will put Colorado Springs in front of a national audience, bring fans to Weidner Field, and give southern Colorado a professional football team to call its own. We are proud to welcome the UFL to the foot of Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain, and we look forward to seeing our community make this team its own.”
Known as Olympic City USA, Colorado Springs has built one of the country’s most concentrated sports ecosystems, with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee headquartered in the city, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center and more than two dozen National Governing Bodies based there, along with dozens of other sports organizations. The city also has an established professional and collegiate sports presence, including the Colorado Springs Switchbacks, Colorado College, UCCS and the U.S. Air Force Academy. Together, that depth of sports infrastructure and community engagement provides the UFL with an opportunity to build a franchise in a market where sports are deeply embedded in the local identity.
The Colorado team name, colors, logo and brand identity will be unveiled during a public event at Weidner Field on October 25 with season ticket deposits available for fans at the event. Additional team and ticket information can be found at www.theufl.com/colorado.
Rhode Island
UFL to bring professional spring football to Rhode Island beginning in 2027; Home opener set for April 2 at 8 p.m. ET and broadcast nationally on FOX as part of FOX UFL Friday
The UFL will bring professional spring football to Pawtucket beginning with the 2027 season, entering a market with a deep history of professional sports and an established connection between teams and their communities. The location also provides the UFL an opportunity to connect with fans throughout Rhode Island and across the broader New England region. The team will play at Centreville Bank Stadium, a state-of-the-art facility in downtown Pawtucket on the banks of the Seekonk River.
Opened in 2025, Centreville Bank Stadium quickly established itself as a destination for major sporting, entertainment and community events and was named the Best New or Renovated Venue of 2025 by SportsTravel Magazine. The public-private investment behind Centreville Bank Stadium has created a world-class sports facility capable of attracting major professional sporting events, including the UFL. The venue is the home of Rhode Island FC and has become an increasingly important home for college football, hosting the University of Rhode Island’s 2026 home schedule and the upcoming Brown-Harvard matchup on September 25. The stadium has also hosted rugby and lacrosse, demonstrating its flexibility to accommodate a wide range of major events.
Rhode Island provides the UFL with an opportunity to build a franchise in a tight-knit sports market with a deep history of sport. Pawtucket was home to the Pawtucket Red Sox for 50 years, while Rhode Island FC has further demonstrated the state’s appetite for professional sports and a strong connection between teams and their communities.
“We are incredibly excited to bring professional football to Centreville Bank Stadium and to Rhode Island in 2027,” said Paul Byrne, General Manager of Centreville Bank Stadium. “There is tremendous energy around sports in the Ocean State, and we’re proud to continue establishing Centreville Bank Stadium as a premier destination for major sporting and entertainment events. Bringing professional football to Pawtucket is another exciting milestone for our venue and for Rhode Island, and our team can’t wait to welcome fans from across the state and deliver an unforgettable game-day experience.”
The Rhode Island team name, colors, logo and brand identity will be unveiled during a public event at Centreville Bank Stadium on October 18 with season ticket deposits available for fans at the event. Additional team and ticket information can be found at www.theufl.com/rhode-island.
Utah
Utah to begin UFL play in 2028 as league expands to 10 teams
The UFL will expand to the west with Utah beginning play in 2028 alongside Oklahoma as the league grows to 10 teams. The Utah team will play its home games at America First Field in Sandy, home to Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer and Utah Royals FC of the National Women’s Soccer League. Set against the stunning Wasatch Mountains, the venue offers an unforgettable backdrop for fans and athletes alike.
The addition of Utah gives the UFL an opportunity to build on an established sports and football tradition within a market that has demonstrated its ability to support professional teams and major sporting events. Utah’s football culture is reflected across the state, with the University of Utah and BYU competing in the Big 12 and Utah State competing in the Pac-12, while a 2026 statewide poll found that 56 percent of Utah voters identify as avid or casual college football fans. The state’s professional sports landscape has also continued to grow, with the Utah Jazz and Utah Mammoth joining Real Salt Lake and the Utah Royals to create a diverse professional sports ecosystem across the Salt Lake region.
Salt Lake’s growing sports profile, combined with its Olympic legacy and upcoming role as host of the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, provides the UFL with an opportunity to establish a franchise in a market where sports and football are deeply embedded in the state’s identity.
“We are thrilled to welcome the UFL to Utah and partner with the league as it brings its games to America First Field,” said Michelle Smith, president of Miller Sports + Entertainment. “We believe deeply in the power of sport to unite communities, create lasting memories and bring people together around a shared sense of pride. Together, we look forward to creating an incredible experience for fans throughout Utah.”
The Utah team name, branding, and launch plans will be announced at a later date. Additional team and ticketing information can be found at www.theufl.com/utah.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma to become home of UFL team in 2028 as league expands
The UFL will bring professional spring football to Oklahoma beginning with the 2028 season, expanding the league to 10 teams and into a market with a deep-rooted football tradition and a growing downtown sports and entertainment district. The team will play at the new MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium which broke ground in June and is under construction in downtown Oklahoma City with a scheduled open date in early 2028.
The state-of-the-art venue will anchor a new sports and entertainment district and provide a modern home for professional sports, concerts, rodeo, and other community events. The combination of Oklahoma’s strong football culture and significant investment in new sports infrastructure provides the UFL with an opportunity to build a franchise in Oklahoma City with a broad connection to communities throughout the state.
Oklahoma’s identity is inextricably linked to the sport of football. From the legendary success of the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University to the state’s high school powerhouse programs, the appetite for the game is second-to-none at the collegiate and grade school levels and will now also include the professional ranks.
“Oklahoma City welcomes the UFL to our championship city!” said Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt. “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!”
The Oklahoma team name, branding, and launch plans will be announced at a later date. Additional team and ticketing information can be found at www.theufl.com/oklahoma.
For more information on the UFL and its teams, please visit www.theufl.com.