The United Football League (UFL) has announced plans to introduce three new franchises for its third season, set to launch in spring 2026. These additions will be based in Columbus, Ohio; Louisville, Kentucky; and Orlando, Florida.
Each team will play in prominent soccer stadiums: the Columbus Aviators at Historic Crew Stadium, the Louisville Kings at Lynn Family Stadium, and the Orlando Storm at Inter&Co Stadium.
Alongside expansion, the league is also reshaping its existing lineup. The Arlington Renegades will be rebranded as the Dallas Renegades, relocating to Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, home of MLS’s FC Dallas. Meanwhile, the Houston Roughnecks will adopt the name Houston Gamblers, returning to their USFL-era identity and relocating to Shell Energy Stadium, which Houston Dynamo FC and Houston Dash share.
Mike Repole, who joined the UFL ownership group in July 2025, emphasized the strategic importance of these changes. Backed by partners including FOX, ESPN, RedBird Capital, Dany Garcia, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Repole is leading efforts to enhance the league’s brand and business model. He highlighted the selection of cities with strong football traditions and the shift to fan-centric venues as key to building a sustainable future.
The new franchises will replace the Memphis Showboats, Michigan Panthers, and San Antonio Brahmas, which were part of the league’s first two seasons.
UFL Teams and Stadiums – 2026 Season
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
Starting in 2026, the UFL will operate as a unified eight-team league, eliminating its previous conference structure. The top four teams will qualify for the postseason following a 10-game regular season, set to begin on Friday, March 27.
Betting On The UFL
Each team representing the UFL will have odds for regular-season games and postseason action available online. While props and futures for the UFL Championship will be available once the teams are announced, most of the online sportsbooks we recommend only regularly offer game lines and futures.
Since there will be no divisions for the 2026 season, the league will see a lack of championship futures. However, if the league experiences substantial growth in popularity, we anticipate seeing more betting options emerge in the future.