If you’ve been trying to keep track of spring football lately, I totally get why your head might be spinning. Between the XFL and USFL merger and the recent massive overhaul for the 2026 season, the landscape changes faster than a two-minute drill. You’re probably sitting there wondering exactly how many UFL teams are there right now, especially with all the rumors about new cities and name changes.
The short answer? There are eight.
But honestly, that number doesn't tell the whole story. While the total count stayed the same for the 2026 season, the league basically hit the "refresh" button on its entire identity. Three teams were kicked to the curb, three new ones rose from the ashes, and two old favorites got a facelift. It’s a bold move by the ownership group, led by the likes of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Mike Repole, to pivot away from massive NFL stadiums and into more intimate, soccer-specific venues where the atmosphere actually feels electric.
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The Official 2026 UFL Roster
For the 2026 season, the league has officially moved away from the old USFL and XFL conference split. Instead of two separate divisions, we now have one unified eight-team league. This makes the playoff race way more straightforward: the top four teams in the standings just go straight to the postseason.
Here is the current lineup of teams taking the field this March:
- Birmingham Stallions: The undisputed kings of spring ball. They’re staying put at Protective Stadium.
- St. Louis Battlehawks: The league’s attendance juggernaut. They still call The Dome at America’s Center home.
- DC Defenders: The keepers of the "Beer Snake" tradition at Audi Field.
- Columbus Aviators: A brand new addition for 2026, playing at Historic Crew Stadium.
- Louisville Kings: Another newcomer, taking over Lynn Family Stadium in Kentucky.
- Orlando Storm: The third new expansion-style team, based at Inter&Co Stadium.
- Houston Gamblers: Formerly the Roughnecks, they’ve rebranded and moved to Shell Energy Stadium.
- Dallas Renegades: Formerly the Arlington Renegades, they’ve shifted to Toyota Stadium in Frisco.
Why Did the League Change So Much?
You might be asking why they’d get rid of teams like the Michigan Panthers or the San Antonio Brahmas, especially after those teams had decent followings. It basically comes down to a "business-first" strategy. Mike Repole, who joined the ownership group in mid-2025, has been very vocal about wanting the UFL to feel like a community-based product rather than a "minor league" trying to mimic the NFL's scale.
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By moving into soccer-specific stadiums—like those in Louisville, Columbus, and Orlando—the league is betting on "sold-out" vibes. A crowd of 12,000 in a 15,000-seat soccer stadium looks and sounds amazing on TV. That same crowd in a 65,000-seat NFL stadium looks like a ghost town.
The rebranding of the Houston Roughnecks back to the Houston Gamblers is also a nostalgic nod to the original USFL roots. People in Houston have a weirdly strong connection to that Gamblers name, and the league is clearly trying to tap into that local history to sell more tickets.
What Most People Get Wrong About UFL Expansion
There’s a common misconception that the UFL is "shrinking" because they cut three teams. In reality, they replaced them. The league is holding steady at eight teams for now to ensure financial stability. They learned the hard way from previous spring leagues that expanding too fast is the quickest way to go bankrupt.
However, the long-term plan is pretty ambitious. Repole has mentioned a goal of reaching 16 teams by the mid-2030s. He wants to add two teams every two years. So, while we are at eight today, don't be surprised if markets like Seattle, San Diego, or even a return to Michigan are back on the table by 2028.
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Another thing to note is the new "Regional College Allocation" system. This is actually pretty cool. The league is trying to make sure players from, say, Ohio State or Michigan end up on the Columbus Aviators. It’s a smart way to get college fans to care about the UFL. If you spent four years cheering for a linebacker in college, you’re way more likely to buy a UFL ticket to see him play in the same city professionally.
The 2026 Season Outlook
The 2026 campaign is set to kick off on Friday, March 27. It’s going to be a 43-game schedule, and with the new 3-part draft system—QB draft, college allocation, and the general draft—the rosters are going to look very different.
New coaches are entering the mix too. You've got former NFL receiver Ted Ginn Jr. taking the reins in Columbus and Chris Redman leading the Louisville Kings. Even the legendary Skip Holtz took a "pause" from the Stallions, leaving a huge power vacuum at the top of the league.
If you’re planning on following along, keep an eye on the schedule drop toward the end of January. The move to Friday night games is another big shift for 2026, aiming to capture that "Friday Night Lights" energy before the weekend madness begins.
Actionable Next Steps:
If you want to stay ahead of the curve for the 2026 kickoff, your first move should be checking the updated stadium maps. The move to soccer-specific venues means seating charts have changed drastically for teams like the Dallas Renegades and Houston Gamblers. If you're a season ticket holder from the "Arlington" or "Roughnecks" days, you'll need to re-verify your seat seniority in the new venues. Additionally, download the official UFL app to track the final roster cuts happening in late January, as the new regional allocation rules mean your favorite local college stars might have just landed on your home team’s doorstep.