UFL adds Columbus Aviators, Louisville Kings, Orlando Storm for 2026

The United Football League on Tuesday announced three new franchises for its 2026 season, adding the Columbus Aviators, Louisville Kings and Orlando Storm and shifting their home games to established soccer stadiums. The Aviators will play at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, the Kings at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville and the Storm at InterCo Stadium in Orlando. The league will remain an eight-team circuit, replacing the Memphis Showboats, Michigan Panthers and San Antonio Brahmas, and plans to open its 2026 season on March 27.

League officials said the move reflects a strategy to concentrate play in smaller, midsized-market venues that can offer a more intimate fan experience. Several existing teams will also change identity or location. The Arlington Renegades will be rebranded as the Dallas Renegades and will move to FC Dallas Toyota Stadium, while the Houston Roughnecks will return to the Houston Gamblers name previously used in the USFL. The Birmingham Stallions, DC Defenders and St. Louis Battlehawks will retain their names and home fields.

The UFL, formed two years ago from the merger of the XFL and USFL, did not state whether the new Columbus, Louisville and Orlando...