The Rock confirms XFL will return in 2022

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson confirms XFL will return in spring 2022

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Oct 1, 2020 2:07 PM ET

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson confirmed on Thursday that the XFL will not return in 2021 and will instead resume play in the spring of 2022.

XFL returns SPRING 2022

As owners, we’re proud to champion our XFL players, coaches, cities and fans into an electrifying 2022 season!

It’s an uphill battle - but we’re hungry, humble and no one will outwork us.

A league of culture, passion & purpose. #XFL✊#Spring2022 pic.twitter.com/jY0VWGj33Y
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) October 1, 2020

Back in early August, Johnson purchased the XFL alongside RedBird Capital and longtime business partner Dany Garcia from WWE chairman Vince McMahon. McMahon declared bankruptcy regarding the XFL in the spring after the league halted play due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In an official league statement, XFL president and chief operating officer Jeffrey Pollack said:

“For the love of football and for the safety of our players and fans, we’ll be back on the field in 2022. The opportunity in front of us, with our new ownership, is simply too big to rush back. We want to do this properly with care and thought for everyone who loves football, especially our players, coaches, partners and fans.”

The Houston Roughnecks held a perfect 5-0 record when the XFL suspended operations in March. It's unknown which teams, current or new, will compete in the XFL in 2022.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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