Sept. 23, 2026, 9:01 a.m. ET
The United Soccer League (UFL) is transferring to 2 new markets forward of its 2027 and is planning to increase to a different in 2028 because it continues to bear main modifications underneath the management of Mike Repole.
The UFL’s new franchises for 2027 will probably be positioned in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Pawtucket, Rhode Island. In 2028, the league will probably be including a crew in Utah. The franchise will be part of the UFL alongside an Oklahoma Metropolis franchise, which was beforehand introduced as an growth crew in April 2026.
Nicknames for the franchises haven’t but been revealed. The 2 new groups for 2027 will exchange the Birmingham Stallions and Houston Gamblers, who the league initially introduced can be relocated on July 30.
The UFL didn’t instantly present details about which franchises would relocate to every metropolis. It was additionally not instantly clear whether or not employees and gamers can be retained as a part of the relocation course of or whether or not the UFL would redistribute gamers forward of its 2027 season.
The UFL has now introduced growth to 2 new markets whereas relocating 5 of its franchises since Repole joined its possession group. Final offseason, the league added the Columbus Aviators, Louisville Kings and Orlando Storm on the expense of the Memphis Showboats, Michigan Panthers and San Antonio Brahmas.
The purpose of those relocations? Repole has centered totally on discovering the correct venues, putting a robust emphasis on discovering smaller-sized stadiums that may create a greater game-day expertise for followers and an improved broadcast for the league’s companions at Fox and ESPN.
“Regardless that the stadium is smaller, the platform will probably be greater as a result of it will be a sold-out stadium,” Repole informed USA TODAY Sports activities in an October 2025 interview.
Moreover, the UFL’s press launch asserting the brand new franchises highlighted they might “increase the league’s geographic footprint” and construct on the “momentum” the league is producing.
“2026 was an unbelievable 12 months for the UFL, and seeing the response from our followers, gamers, and companions has made what comes subsequent much more thrilling,” Repole mentioned within the press launch. “There’s a actual vitality round this league proper now, and we’re thrilled to carry that vitality to 4 new markets.
“We mentioned in July that our subsequent step was discovering the correct markets, venues, and fan bases the place we are able to work with native leaders to construct the strongest franchises for immediately and for the long run, and we imagine Colorado, Rhode Island, Oklahoma, and Utah characterize these qualities. We’re grateful to the native leaders and companions who believed on this imaginative and prescient and have helped us get right here. We are able to’t wait to see these markets come to life and the perfect half is that that is just the start.”
This is extra to know in regards to the UFL’s relocations, in addition to the league’s plan for eventual growth.
What to know in regards to the UFL’s Rhode Island franchise
The UFL’s Rhode Island franchise is slated to play in Pawtucket. Town is greatest identified for internet hosting the Boston Pink Sox’s Triple-A affiliate from 1973 to 2020, earlier than the crew relocated to Worcester, Massachusetts.
The Rhode Island UFL crew will play at Centreville Financial institution Stadium, which opened in 2025 and can be dwelling to Rhode Island FC of the United Soccer League (USL). Centreville Financial institution Stadium has a capability of 10,500, serving to it match Repole’s imaginative and prescient of the UFL taking part in at smaller-sized stadiums.
Paul Byrne, the final supervisor of Centreville Financial institution Stadium, expressed pleasure about having the ability to welcome skilled soccer to Pawtucket.
“There may be great vitality round sports activities within the Ocean State, and we’re proud to proceed establishing Centreville Financial institution Stadium as a premier vacation spot for main sporting and leisure occasions,” Byrne mentioned. “Bringing skilled soccer to Pawtucket is one other thrilling milestone for our venue and for Rhode Island, and our crew can’t wait to welcome followers from throughout the state and ship an unforgettable game-day expertise.”
The UFL is slated to announce the Rhode Island crew’s nickname, branding, brand and extra at a public occasion on Oct. 18 at Centreville Financial institution Stadium. The crew will make its dwelling debut in Week 2 of the 2027 UFL season on Friday, April 2, at 8 p.m. ET.
What to know in regards to the UFL’s Colorado franchise
Just like the UFL’s Rhode Island franchise, the Colorado franchise will probably be taking part in at USL stadium. Colorado will play at Weidner Area in Colorado Springs, which is dwelling to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
Weidner Area opened in 2021 and has a capability of 8,000. The Colorado franchise will make its debut on the stadium on Sunday, April 11, throughout Week 3 of the 2027 UFL season.
Colorado Springs mayor Yemi Mobolade referred to the arrival of the UFL in Colorado Springs as “a vote of confidence” within the metropolis.
“A UFL crew will put Colorado Springs in entrance of a nationwide viewers, carry followers to Weidner Area, and provides southern Colorado knowledgeable soccer crew to name its personal,” Mobolade mentioned within the UFL’s press launch. “We’re proud to welcome the UFL to the foot of Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain, and we stay up for seeing our group make this crew its personal.”
The UFL will announce the branding and nickname for its Colorado franchise at a public occasion at Weidner Area on Oct. 25.
UFL groups 2027
The UFL will stay an eight-team league in 2027 earlier than increasing to 10 groups in 2028. Under is a take a look at the eight groups at the moment slated to play within the spring soccer league:
- Columbus Aviators
- Dallas Renegades
- DC Defenders
- Louisville Kings
- Orlando Storm
- St. Louis Battlehawks
- Colorado franchise
- Rhode Island franchise
Oklahoma Metropolis and Utah will be part of the league in 2028.
