OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (September 23, 2026) – The United Football League the addition of four new markets over the next two seasons with Utah joining Oklahoma in 2028 when the UFL will expand to 10 teams. The Oklahoma team will play its home games at the new MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium, currently under construction in downtown Oklahoma City and scheduled to open in early 2028.
Beyond Oklahoma and Utah, Rhode Island and Colorado will join the UFL for the 2027 season, with Rhode Island playing at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket and Colorado at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs.
Oklahoma’s identity is inextricably linked to the sport of football. From the success of the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University to the state’s high school powerhouse programs, football has a deep and longstanding presence across the state and will now also include the professional ranks.
Under the leadership and vision of new co-owner Mike Repole, the UFL marked a significant step forward in 2026 after an ambitious plan to reimagine spring football. The result was a season defined by momentum, building on the league’s foundation with new markets, venues, fan experiences and innovations on the field. The league introduced the 4-point 60-plus-yard field goal and placed a further emphasis on transparent officiating, while delivering exciting football with the most plays, points & touchdowns per game, along with the lowest margin of victory and lowest number of punts in league history.
That momentum extended beyond the field with increased viewership, including numerous games eclipsing one million viewers, and increases in overall ticket sales, culminating with a sold-out United Bowl as the Louisville Kings captured the championship in their inaugural season. The season also reinforced the UFL’s value in the football ecosystem to develop top talent and provide a pathway to the NFL, with 118 former UFL players in NFL Training Camps, ultimately leading to 46 UFL players on current NFL active rosters or practice squads. In all, it was a springboard season that set the stage for the UFL to bring professional spring football to four new markets and expand to a 10-team league for 2028.
“2026 was an incredible year for the UFL, and seeing the response from our fans, players, and partners has made what comes next even more exciting,” said UFL Co-Owner Mike Repole. “There is a real energy around this league right now, and we’re thrilled to bring that energy to four new markets. We said in July that our next step was finding the right markets, venues, and fan bases where we can work with local leaders to build the strongest franchises for today and for the future, and we believe Colorado, Rhode Island, Oklahoma, and Utah represent those qualities. We’re thankful to the local leaders and partners who believed in this vision and have helped us get here. We can’t wait to see these markets come to life and the best part is that this is just the beginning.”
The UFL is grateful for the close collaboration with local civic leaders, Oklahoma City United, Echo Investment and MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium that has helped make this opportunity possible and looks forward to continuing those partnerships as UFL football takes root in Oklahoma City.
The new state-of-the-art MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium will anchor a new sports and entertainment district in downtown Oklahoma City and provide a modern home for professional sports, concerts, rodeo and other community events. The combination of Oklahoma’s strong football culture and significant investment in new sports infrastructure provides the UFL with an opportunity to build a franchise in Oklahoma City with a broad connection to communities throughout the state.
“Oklahoma City welcomes the UFL to our championship city!” said Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt. “We love sports and we love football, so we think this should be a great fit. We have always said that the MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium opens up new opportunities for our city, and this is a perfect example. We look forward to the UFL’s arrival in 2028!”
The Oklahoma team name, branding and launch plans will be announced at a later date.