UFL President and CEO Russ Brandon met with media after the league announced four new markets on September 23. Rhode Island and Colorado join in 2027. Utah and Oklahoma begin play in 2028, taking the league to 10 teams.
Brandon covered the 2027 draft, how the league picked the markets, and why a spring football schedule is hard to build.
The Right Market, Venue and Partner
The process started with a request for proposals (RFP).
"We did an RFP back 18 months ago in November, looking at potential expansion down the road and had incredible return and feedback from markets throughout the country," Brandon said.
He tied the picks to a shift in venues since co-owner Mike Repole joined the league.
"Mike came on board, as you know, 16 months ago. And we changed the profile of our venues... And our focus was the right market, the right size venue, and the right partner."
Rhode Island will play at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket. Colorado will play at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs. Utah is set for America First Field in Sandy, and Oklahoma for the MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium in Oklahoma City, per the league release.
The USL Connection
The USL, or United Soccer League, runs the USL Championship, a pro soccer league one level below MLS. Brandon said playing in USL stadiums led to new relationships.
"Having the success in Louisville and those USL buildings, we got to know a lot of people in the USL, have a look at what venues were being constructed or were constructed. And a lot of relationships stemmed from that."
The Louisville Kings, the 2026 United Bowl champions, play at Lynn Family Stadium, home of USL Championship club Louisville City FC. Both 2027 venues also belong to USL Championship clubs. Centreville Bank Stadium, which opened in 2025, is home to Rhode Island FC. Weidner Field is home to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks.
"We got one look at Centreville Bank Stadium and you're like, wow, this is great," Brandon said. He named Rhode Island FC interim president Declan Bolger and stadium general manager Paul Byrne as partners.
Colorado Springs and the Mountain Time Zone
"Wait till you guys see Weidner Field out in Colorado Springs. The backdrop there is about as beautiful as you'll ever see," Brandon said.
He also noted the TV angle.
"When Colorado came to play and you're like, okay, this is cool, Mountain Time Zone, it helps networks a bit too, from the standpoint of scheduling."
Switchbacks president Brad Estes led Louisville City FC from 2018 to 2022, per the Colorado Springs Gazette. Brandon called Estes and Weidner Field general manager Joel Currey partners who "could not be better." The Gazette reports Weidner Field seats 8,000, the smallest venue in the UFL.
Brandon admitted the new markets bring a new need. "We'll have to have more cold weather gear for our players this coming year," he said.
Rosters and a Draft
Brandon confirmed a 2027 draft.
"This will not be a complete redraft like we did last year. We will have more continuity. We will have a draft. And we're finalizing literally the final points on that now."
Before the 2026 season, the league cleared all eight rosters and let teams protect up to 12 players each. On3 reported that the Houston Gamblers are moving to Rhode Island and the Birmingham Stallions to Colorado Springs.
Brandon said the talent pool has grown since the XFL-USFL merger. "Agents might not have returned your call five years ago," he said. "And now we're getting calls from reputable people on the daily."
Scheduling and the Next Wave
Brandon said the UFL shares its stadiums with other tenants.
"I always joke with my buddy Michael North at the NFL that this schedule is harder than the NFL schedule. And the reason for that is that you are the second, third, and fourth tenant at times in these buildings."
He listed pro soccer leagues and network partners Disney and FOX as factors the league works around.
"The people that aren't part of this first wave are certainly in play for the next wave," Brandon said. He added the league has looked at markets in the Central, Mountain and Pacific time zones.
What's Next
The 2027 season kicks off March 26 in Louisville on FOX. Rhode Island hosts its first game Friday, April 2 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX. Colorado follows April 11 at 3 p.m. ET on ABC. Rhode Island reveals its team name October 18, and Colorado reveals its name October 25. Utah and Oklahoma City join in 2028.