The United Football League is making its next major move.
The UFL announced Wednesday that four new markets will join the league over the next two seasons, continuing an aggressive period of growth for professional spring football.
Colorado Springs and Rhode Island will begin play in 2027, expanding the league to eight teams. Utah and Oklahoma City will follow in 2028, bringing the UFL to 10 franchises.
It is another significant step for a league looking to create long-term stability while continuing to expand its national footprint.
UFL Building on Momentum From 2026
The expansion comes after a 2026 season that the league characterized as a major step forward under new co-owner Mike Repole.
Several changes were introduced during the season, including a four-point field goal for kicks of at least 60 yards and a greater emphasis on transparent officiating.
The UFL also reported increased viewership and ticket sales, with multiple games surpassing one million viewers.
The season concluded with a sold-out United Bowl, where the Louisville Kings captured the championship in their inaugural season.
The league also continued to establish itself as a developmental pathway for players hoping to reach or return to the NFL.
According to the UFL, 118 former league players participated in NFL training camps following the season, with 46 eventually landing on NFL active rosters or practice squads.
“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,” Repole said.
Now, that momentum is leading directly into expansion.
Colorado Springs Joins the UFL in 2027
Colorado Springs will begin play during the 2027 season and will call Weidner Field home.
The downtown stadium is currently home to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and sits at an elevation of 6,035 feet.
That is more than 750 feet higher than Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, meaning Colorado Springs will become the highest-elevation home market in professional football once the UFL begins playing there.
Colorado Springs will play its first home game Sunday, April 11, at 3 p.m. ET on ABC.
The team’s name, logo, colors and full brand identity will be revealed during a public event at Weidner Field on October 25.
The addition gives the UFL a presence in a city already known for its strong connection to sports.
Colorado Springs is home to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center, the Air Force Academy and several collegiate and professional sports organizations.
Rhode Island Adds a New England Presence
The UFL will also enter Rhode Island in 2027, with the team playing its home games at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket.
The stadium opened in 2025 and is home to Rhode Island FC.
It has also hosted college football, rugby, lacrosse and other sporting events, giving the UFL an established venue as it enters the New England market.
Pawtucket also has a long professional sports history, most notably serving as the home of the Pawtucket Red Sox for 50 years.
Rhode Island will play its inaugural home game Friday, April 2, at 8 p.m. ET as part of FOX UFL Friday.
The team’s branding, including its name, colors and logo, will be revealed October 18 at Centreville Bank Stadium.
Utah Expansion Coming in 2028
The league’s expansion will continue one year later when Utah begins play in 2028.
The Utah franchise will play at America First Field in Sandy, which is currently home to Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake and the NWSL’s Utah Royals.
Utah gives the league another western market with an established football culture.
The state is home to the University of Utah, BYU and Utah State, while the Salt Lake region has also developed a growing collection of professional sports franchises.
The market’s sports profile will continue to increase over the next decade as Utah prepares to host the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
The UFL has not yet announced Utah’s team name, logo or complete launch plans.
Those details are expected to come closer to the 2028 season.
Oklahoma City Brings Another Football Market
Oklahoma City will join Utah in 2028 as the UFL reaches 10 teams.
The Oklahoma franchise is scheduled to play at the new MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium in downtown Oklahoma City.
Construction on the stadium began in June, with the facility scheduled to open in early 2028.
The venue is expected to serve as the centerpiece of a new sports and entertainment district while hosting professional sports, concerts, rodeo and community events.
Oklahoma also gives the league access to one of the country’s most established football cultures.
The University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State have long been central pieces of the state’s sports identity, while high school football also maintains a significant following throughout Oklahoma.
Like Utah, Oklahoma’s team name and complete branding will be announced at a later date.
UFL’s Footprint Continues to Grow
The UFL will feature eight teams during the 2027 season.
The league will consist of the Columbus Aviators, Dallas Renegades, DC Defenders, Louisville Kings, Orlando Storm, St. Louis Battlehawks, Colorado Springs and Rhode Island.
Utah and Oklahoma City will then enter the league in 2028, increasing the UFL to 10 franchises.
The expansion gives the league additional geographic diversity while placing teams in markets ranging from New England to the Mountain West and Great Plains.
More importantly for the UFL, the announcement shows the league is continuing to look beyond simply surviving from season to season.
Spring football has seen leagues come and go for decades, but the UFL is attempting to build a structure that can grow over time through stable markets, established venues, television exposure and a continued connection to the NFL talent pipeline.
Colorado Springs and Rhode Island will be the next test of that strategy in 2027.
Utah and Oklahoma City will follow one year later.
And by 2028, the UFL plans to have a 10-team league stretching across a much larger portion of the country.
