United Football League Kicks Off Expansion Process

The United Football League has officially initiated its team expansion process. The league is now welcoming proposals from potential markets interested in spring pro football. The UFL is currently comprised of eight teams: the Arlington Renegades, Birmingham Stallions, Michigan Panthers, Houston Roughnecks, Memphis Showboats, San Antonio Brahmas, St. Louis Battlehawks and D.C. Defenders. The expansion process for the UFL is already in progress, though a specific timeline has not been established. The internal objective is to introduce two new teams in 2026, with one team joining each of the USFL and XFL conferences. The long-term aim is to reach a total of 12 teams by 2027. UFL on SI has learned that the markets excluded from the XFL and USFL merger are being considered for revival. The UFL maintains copyrights and brands for teams that participated in the XFL in 2023 and the USFL in 2022 and 2023. There are several other legacy brands from the USFL from four decades ago that are possibilities for expansion.