The United Football League is gearing up for significant changes after bringing on entrepreneur Mike Repole, who now oversees all business operations.
Repole told ESPN the league will relocate at least two teams, and possibly up to four, by the 2026 season, with Columbus, Ohio, confirmed as one new home. Teams will continue to total eight for now.
Repole emphasized the need for smaller, more energetic venues, citing Columbus’s 21,000-seat Historic Crew Stadium as ideal. He criticized the lack of atmosphere in oversized stadiums, saying, “You can hear a pin drop when someone runs 80 yards.”
While St. Louis has thrived with nearly 30,000 fans per game, most other markets have struggled with attendance between 5,000 and 12,000. Repole aims to boost average attendance to 10,000–15,000 per team and is taking full responsibility for reaching that goal.
Looking ahead, Repole envisions expanding to 10–12 teams within five years and 16 teams by 2035. He believes the UFL has the resources and media backing to succeed where other spring leagues have failed.
In the near term, teams will still train in Arlington, Texas, but may spend more time in their home cities to build local engagement. “You can’t be a real league in five years and have your D.C. team in Arlington,” Repole said.
The 2026 UFL Season
In addition to several teams possibly relocating, the league has floated the idea of pushing back the start of the 2026 UFL season. Last year, the league experienced a decline in TV viewership, and many critics blamed it on the season’s start date.
The first two years of the UFL have conflicted with the NCAA’s March Madness tournament, and in the league’s second year, TV ratings went down substantially.
Betting On The UFL
USFL and XFL betting sites offer game lines, futures, props, and more for the spring football league. While many states now offer in-person sports wagering, many UFL fans find themselves wagering online for the numerous betting options and convenience of the platforms.
The most popular odds for the league include the UFL Championship. While championship odds are generally available all year, the UFL is different with so many unknowns going into the 2026 season. Futures for the UFL will become available, but most sites are waiting to see where the teams will land before offering on-field odds.
UFL betting is still in its infancy, and the future is still vastly unknown as the league grows and changes at a record pace. A few years ago, there were two spring football leagues; now there is one, and new leadership is looking to take the league to the next level.